On summer mornings, an "eco-market" in Shanghai's Chongming district comes alive with activity. Shoppers gather around the tofu stall, baskets of fresh eggplants line the walkways, and homegrown baby potatoes still carry the earthy scent of the fields.

Wei Saidi, a 65-year-old local resident, stepped into the Jianshe township market carrying a cloth bag and was greeted by a refreshing breeze.

"Shopping here is such a delight. It's bright and airy the moment you walk in," she remarked.

Shoppers browse the market's upgraded stalls. (Photo from Chongming district media center WeChat account)

As a longtime resident of Jianshe, Wei recalls how unpleasant the market used to be in summer. It was stuffy, and the floors around the seafood and meat sections were often damp and sticky. Today, a cool breeze flows through the aisles. Different types of produce are neatly arranged in separate sections, and the floors remain dry and clean, making shopping a far more pleasant experience.

"The coolness here doesn't come from air conditioning," said the market's manager, Zhang Shida, pointing toward the roof.

The market's roof has been raised significantly, and gaps have been deliberately left between the roof and the surrounding walls, creating what Zhang calls "breathing openings."

"Hot air naturally rises," he explained. "The old roof was too low, so heat and dampness accumulated right above people's heads. After the renovation, the higher ceiling gives hot air more space to rise before it is expelled through the upper vents. At the same time, fresh air continuously enters through the lower doorways and corridors, creating natural ventilation."

The roof is also fitted with environmentally friendly insulating materials that reduce heat from direct sunlight. Combined with the ventilation system, the design keeps the market noticeably cooler.

Since 2001, Chongming district has been committed to building itself into an ecological island. Ecology on Chongming is reflected not only in its wetlands, forests and farmlands, but also in the way a neighborhood wet market operates.

"A wet market should have the warmth and liveliness of everyday life," Zhang said. "But that doesn't mean it has to be dirty or chaotic."

Beginning in 2019, Chongming district launched a program to build eco-markets, aiming to improve shopping environments by working with nature and adopting more resource-efficient, low-carbon solutions.

Walking through the market, the ecological design is evident everywhere. Natural sunlight streams through the corridors and across the stalls, while energy-efficient lighting is used only where additional illumination is needed. The floors are paved with permeable bricks, and water-saving faucets have been installed beside the stalls.

At the seafood section, wastewater from cleaning flows into drainage channels before entering a separate rainwater and sewage system, greatly reducing standing water and humidity in the walkways. After the market closes, fruit and vegetable waste and other kitchen refuse are sorted and promptly removed, allowing fish scales, vegetable leaves and packaging materials to be handled separately while unpleasant odors dissipate quickly.

Shoppers are provided with biodegradable shopping bags, while systems for testing pesticide residues, disclosing product information and tracing the origin of meat and vegetables have all been incorporated into daily management as part of the market's ecological transformation.

The market's ecological character emerges through these countless details: a little less waste, a little less pollution and a great deal more freshness and trust in Chongming's local produce.

Vegetable vendor Ye Shilan has lived in Chongming for 41 years after moving from her hometown in Anhui province in east China. In her early years on the island, she worked at a local textile factory. As Chongming's ecological island strategy deepened, many industrial enterprises either closed or transformed, and the district increasingly shifted its focus toward green agriculture and eco-tourism.

Ye's life changed along with the district. Her husband attended a municipal training program on vegetable growing, and she began learning techniques herself. More than 20 years later, she is still growing and selling vegetables.

The clean water, fertile soil and fresh air in Chongming give her confidence in the vegetables she grows and sells.

The market renovation has greatly lightened Ye's workload. Before the upgrade, pooled water mixed with discarded leaves and plastic litter, making post-market cleanup a tough chore. Today, all wastewater flows into drainage troughs. Rotten greens go straight into bins beneath the counter, allowing her to tidy up her stall in no time. In summer, cool air drifts through the aisles. Vendors stay comfortable, and produce does not wilt as easily.

An AI-assisted scale weighs produce at the market. (Photo from Chongming district media center WeChat account)

Jianshe township has become one of Chongming's leading rural tourism destinations, hosting roughly a quarter of all the district's homestays.Chongming's well-preserved environment has also enhanced the reputation of its agricultural products.

"Weekends bring crowds of tourists and boost our vegetable sales," Ye remarked. "Thanks to the market's solid reputation, we growers and vendors can earn extra income."

From advancing ecological development to bringing local farm produce to wider markets through its green credentials, this "breathing" market demonstrates how green development has become part of everyday life in Chongming.

On the island, an environment that has been carefully protected for years is being transformed into quality products, thriving businesses and increasingly promising livelihoods for residents.