Swire Properties and Tsinghua University Publish First “Places Impact Report” on Taikoo Li Sanlitun, Beijing

Swire Properties and Tsinghua University’s Lab for Architectural Programming and Post-occupancy Evaluation have jointly published a Places Impact Report, “The Creative Transformation of Taikoo Li Sanlitun”. The study, launched today, assesses how Swire Properties’ placemaking and placekeeping efforts have had a positive impact on the neighbourhood and surrounding area over the past 12 years. It also provides insights into the future role that the Taikoo Li Sanlitun development will play as a Beijing landmark offering unique cultural and lifestyle experiences.

Located in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, Taikoo Li Sanlitun was Swire Properties’ first retail-led, mixed-use development in the Chinese Mainland. Designed as a low-density, open-plan retail complex, it has successfully become one of the capital’s most sought-after leisure and business hubs since its opening in 2008. Having worked with more than 100 brands to open their first stores in Beijing, and in some cases their first stores in the Chinese Mainland, Taikoo Li Sanlitun has gained a reputation as the “Harvester of First Stores” and has become a destination for countless events and cultural activities for the enjoyment of local citizens.

As a key initiative under the Company’s Sustainable Development (SD) 2030 Strategy, the Taikoo Li Sanlitun Places Impact Report is the first systematic study and evaluation of Taikoo Li Sanlitun’s impact on the area and follows on from the Company’s first Impact Report on Taikoo Place in Hong Kong, which was published last year. Similar to the Taikoo Place report, this report applies the “Places Impact Framework” and explores the four dimensions of place – Vibrancy, Livelihood, Wellbeing and Resilience – to assess the qualities of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, how they have changed over time and how they compare to other commercial complexes in the city. These qualities include investment in hardware, such as infrastructure and public spaces, as well as software, such as engagement with local government, the local community and social initiatives. In addition to the spatial, economic and environmental perspectives, a key element of the report is the “people” indicator which illustrates how Taikoo Li Sanlitun is being used and experienced and highlights the connections people build with the place. 

The research highlights how Swire Properties’ continued investment in both hardware and software, as well as the multi-layered placemaking and placekeeping elements incorporated into the development, have contributed to Taikoo Li’s resilience. The well-planned outdoor laneways, plentiful open spaces, thoughtfully curated retail shops and ever-changing calendar of activities all contribute to its intrigue and impact. In addition, close coordination with the district government and ongoing engagement with the local community have contributed to the development and resilience of the wider Sanlitun area.

CT Ma, General Manager of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, said: “The transformation of Sanlitun over the past 12 years mirrors the remarkable transformations seen in Beijing’s overall urban redevelopment. It also echoes the city’s 14^th Five-Year Plan, which requires not only the revitalisation of old areas and inventory assets, but also continuous upgrading of younger projects such as Taikoo Li Sanlitun.  We are grateful to have partnered with the Tsinghua team on this project. They have helped to explore what makes Taikoo Li Sanlitun a great place through an academic lens, giving us significant insights into how to enhance our placemaking strategy as we continue our expansion and development in the area.”

Professor Zhuang Weimin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Dean of Architectural Design and Research Institute at Tsinghua University and Professor of Tsinghua University’s School of Architecture, said: “This report is a significant research achievement from the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University. As the first post-occupancy evaluation that our team has completed on an urban commercial project, the collaboration between an academic research team and a commercial developer has been fruitful. The research was comprehensive, extending beyond Taikoo Li Sanlitun to the surrounding area to determine the factors necessary to create and continue to stimulate vibrant urban places, furthering our work towards innovative placemaking and urban regeneration.”

Please view the full Places Impact Report here.