"In urban renewal, the flavors of neighborhood small businesses must not be left behind," said Qiu Wei, a member of the 13th Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chairman of USUNHOME Group, during the fourth session of the 13th Provincial CPPCC. He proposed establishing a protection registry for such neighborhood small businesses.

He argued that time-honored brands and local snack shops are core carriers of a city's vibrant street life, embodying urban memory and, due to their characteristics of being "small yet charming" and "widespread yet dense", serving as a significant source of employment.

Qiu Wei

However, he noted that some cities exhibit a tendency to "prioritize development over preservation" during urban renewal, subjecting small businesses to pressures such as demolition and rising rents. Moreover, the absence of a dedicated protection registry and clear recognition criteria places many distinctive small shops at risk of closure.

Qiu Wei recommended including in a tiered and categorized protection registry those small businesses that have operated for 10 or even 20 years or more and possess influence, regional characteristics, and cultural continuity. This would promote coordinated development among small-business economies, urban renewal, and cultural-tourism integration.

Citing Chengdu as an example, he suggested drawing on experiences from historic districts such as Shaocheng and Kuanzhai Alley by designating core protected zones within historic streets and lanes, prioritizing long-standing shops with authentic local craftsmanship for protection, and reserving dedicated commercial space and supporting facilities for them in urban renewal planning.

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