MixC Yibin World: Multiple Connections Between City, Parks, and Commerce

When first- and second-tier cities continually compete on non-standard commercial tracks through creativity, the potential markets gradually emerging in third- and fourth-tier cities can no longer rely on simply replicating the standardized paths of high-tier cities. Building a non-standard, locally rooted new narrative has become a “grand experiment” for these smaller cities to upgrade their commercial landscape. In Yibin, China Resources MixC Life is participating in precisely such an experiment. Located in front of Yibin High-Speed Railway Station, “MixC Yibin World” is exploring deeper connections between the city, parks, and commerce.On April 10th, a launch event titled “Free in Yibin, Your Own World” officially introduced MixC Yibin World to the public. As the Southwest region’s first “World” BY MIXC project, its classic “Block + Mall” model has been integrated with park landscapes and activities in Yibin, creating a landmark-level urban gateway for this rapidly developing city and showcasing the commercial growth potential of third- and fourth-tier cities. In these relatively smaller markets, commerce is playing an increasingly vital role in shaping the city’s new identity while iteratively updating residents’ lifestyles.

So, what kind of environment will the culture-, art-, and eco-focused MixC Yibin World create in Yibin? As bamboo shadows grow to become the new framework for urban commerce and transportation hubs are often entrusted with the city’s gateway status, the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) model—integrating commerce with the hub beyond its core function of traffic distribution and rapid in-and-out movement—has become a common strategic approach. A city gateway requires a sense of landmark significance. Behind these visual tensions, the spatial and scenographic organization orchestrated through modern design language carries multi-layered commercial functions. Such macro- and micro-level considerations correspond to the complex demands of urban development, meaning that from design and construction to daily use, the spaces must continuously contend with diverse public aesthetic evaluations.Thus, when visitors step out of Yibin High-Speed Railway Station, they are met with an unusual scene: undulating ecological rooftops within an open commercial street, cantilevered rain canopies resembling artistic installations in the plaza, and layered park landscapes in the distance.

This urban interface, still in its growth phase, resembles clusters of burgeoning bamboo forests. Within these “bamboo groves” are walkable, exploratory scenes that reconstruct the massive scale of the high-speed rail hub while composing the rich commercial fabric of MixC Yibin World.This design originated from an international competition featuring world-class architects. Among proposals from Zaha Hadid Architects, Tongji University Architectural Design and Research Institute consortium, and Metropolis Architecture, the winning design by Per Kirkeby & Partners in collaboration with the Sichuan Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute drew inspiration from Yibin’s bamboo culture. Integrating the city’s tri-river confluence, the geological hallmark of Mamenxi dinosaur fossils, and the site’s existing topography, the design offers an artistic expression of local identity.Through architectural facades, sky bridges, sunken plazas, vertical greenery, viewing platforms, water features, and other visual elements, the design interprets local products—from bamboo roots and shoots to bamboo joints and bamboo mushrooms—from figurative to expressive forms. These ecological baselines enhance the humanized interaction between block commerce and park commerce, and between commercial spaces and public spaces.

In PC&P’s design, Yibin’s ecological texture is visualized in architecture and landscape to become a new spatial attraction. The clustered growth pattern of bamboo—resilient, upward, and coexisting—translates into a multi-faceted integration of architectural space and commercial scenarios. Just as Yibin demonstrates openness and inclusivity through its multi-industry rapid development, as public urban aesthetics and commercial demands diversify, these new spaces and scenarios embody expectations not only for the cityscape’s aesthetic quality but also for broader public life aspirations.The POD-integrated TOD commercial narrative has already begun to take root in the partially opened E·PARK Yigongyuan earlier this year. This park, together with the street-front development, innovatively establishes a TOD+POD business model. On one side, there is the bustling mobility of the high-speed rail hub; on the other, the vibrant fashion of street commerce and the slower pace of park-based retail. This blending of space, activities, and scenarios makes commerce more complex while revealing a wealth of potential.

Such possibilities blur the boundaries between transportation hubs, urban living rooms, and public parks, injecting greater vitality into commercial operations.At the front plaza of the high-speed railway station, approximately 115,000 square meters of station-front commercial space is divided into northern and southern zones. The “High Street & Lanes” seamlessly connects to the station through three-dimensional traffic pathways. Architecturally striking facades and standalone multi-level buildings along the High Street provide flagship-level creative retail spaces, while the “lanes,” pre-planned with generous outdoor seating, create a socially engaging environment for dining. Together, they focus on consumption-driven business formats, offering high-quality, mature brands in one-stop retail experiences, illustrating the efficiency of the TOD model.Following the elevated circulation routes through the district leads to E·PARK Yigongyuan. With a green coverage ratio of up to 50%, the approximately 27,000-square-meter area presents a naturally evolving “block + park” composite. Rich landscape nodes and public structures establish the park as Yibin’s first “breathable open block,” focusing on experiential retail.

Here, the city’s slow lifestyle originates, and lifestyle curators gain a social platform for exploration, providing brands with freer spatial inspiration for expression. Even in its partial opening, E·PARK Yigongyuan has already attracted numerous city- and region-first stores. Operating communities for pets and music continue to energize local youth culture.In the future, within the ecological realm woven from bamboo groves, lawns, and wetlands, and accompanied by more exhibitions and markets, the connection of activities, scenarios, and communities will allow POD-driven human-centric experiences to offer Yibin consumers a broader range of new choices. The “harmony in diversity” of space and business types is the core of MixC Yibin World’s commercial operations. Whether at the station-front district or the central park, multi-format, multi-layered commercial spaces and scenarios must ultimately connect with specific people and behaviors. The design preconditions the public-oriented spatial requirements, while operations sustain this publicness through continuous cultivation of art, culture, and ecological experiences.To this end, MixC Yibin World will leverage the hilly terrain of E·PARK Yigongyuan to create an interactive giant slide installation.

Meanwhile, the introduction of additional activities and exhibitions will further enhance public interaction and participation within the site. For consumers, MixC Yibin World’s TOD and POD are not mutually exclusive choices. A hurried glimpse by high-speed rail travelers may leave a lasting impression of the city, while local residents’ weekend social activities can gradually transform trending lifestyle experiences into everyday habits.In potential markets, non-standard commercial opportunities are abundant. When residents are drawn to new commercial narratives, MixC Yibin World further explores local development to innovate business formats and scenarios. At E·PARK Yigongyuan, the “Yibin Cultural Chronicle Spaces” are built around five themes—Poetry, Bamboo, Tea, Liquor, and Cuisine—and co-create new expressions of local culture with Wuliangye, Sichuan Tea Group, Yibin city-level IP “Yi Ren Yi Li,” Shunan Cultural Tourism, and Xinshan Book House through innovative spatial forms, product structures, and brand imagery. This rich material and spiritual cultural resource embodies the differentiation needed for non-standard commercial operations.

The deep-rooted local identity behind it also enables commerce to rapidly connect local purchasing power with brands.Meanwhile, Yibin’s rapid economic growth and urbanization raise higher expectations for landmark commercial developments. Responding to this, MixC Yibin World collaborates with local government to host large-scale cultural and tourism events and co-creates with brands. Through a series of high-impact city events, commercial operations and urban development empower each other. In the longer-term daily operations, MixC Yibin World will continue to introduce pet-friendly, tourist-friendly, family-friendly, and cycling-friendly services. Through infrastructure, brand introductions, and curated activities, the commercial space cultivates a more enjoyable community experience, making publicness a source of inspiration for operations.For many rapidly developing third- and fourth-tier cities, commercial iteration often does not fully align with the diversification and personalization of consumer demands, creating numerous potential markets. As young consumers’ purchasing power grows, local new-consumption brands mature, and local community culture flourishes, the demand for non-standardized commercial formats will become more pronounced and clear. MixC Yibin World explores not only the broader potential of non-standard commerce in emerging markets but also the concrete application of the contemporary urbanization model of “city, park, and commerce.” After all, commerce has always been a vital component of urban life.