卖不出去的写字楼要改成住宅区了？

Core Viewpoint - Shanghai has adjusted its "commercial to residential" ban for the first time in eight years, encouraging the transformation of commercial buildings to include rental housing and other functions to address high vacancy rates and commuting issues in major cities [1][4][19]. Group 1: Policy Changes - The new policy allows for the expansion of functions in commercial buildings, including rental housing, elder care, cultural sports, and technological innovation [4][8]. - The government clarified that the policy does not fully open up "commercial to residential" but allows for certain conditions under which commercial buildings can be converted to rental housing [5][7]. - This marks a significant shift from previous strict regulations that prohibited such conversions, indicating a potential new phase in urban development [18][39]. Group 2: Market Context - Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen are experiencing high vacancy rates in Grade A office buildings, with rates approaching or exceeding 20%, indicating a supply-demand imbalance [2][20][21]. - The high vacancy rates have led to a decline in commercial property sales, with sales dropping from 1.3 trillion yuan in 2018 to 320.8 billion yuan in 2024 [16]. - The policy aims to alleviate the pressure of high inventory in the commercial market and provide new solutions for urban governance [38][49]. Group 3: Societal Implications - The "commercial to residential" policy is seen as a potential solution to the commuting challenges faced by workers, with nearly half of workers in major cities commuting over 5 kilometers [23][24]. - By utilizing idle commercial spaces for residential purposes, the policy aims to improve the living experience for workers and achieve a better work-life balance [26][49]. - The transformation of commercial properties into residential spaces is expected to enhance urban livability and vitality [51].