Exhibition commemorates the past, present and future of Shanghai

An exhibition titled Shanghai 2035 is being held at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center and it offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s growth over the past century and its development plans in the coming years.

According to Weng Wenbin, chief engineer at the center, the exhibition presents the details of the previous five Shanghai master plans in interesting ways, such as through multimedia devices, quizzes and interactive games.

"Through this exhibition, the audience can get a comprehensive view of the nearly century-long development process in Shanghai. It would also allow them to better understand the new master plan (2017-35) and what it comprises," he said.

According to the center, the exhibition has been well-received so far. Some visitors, such as Shanghai resident Wang Xudong, have even been to the exhibition more than once. To her, Shanghai 2035 allows her to reconnect with some of the memories she has of growing up in the city.

Born in Shanghai, Wang relocated to Wuhan, Hubei province, with her parents when she was still a child. She returned to the city in 1982. During the 1990s, she lived in a farmland area in Shanghai called Rushan New Village. Today, that area is part of the city’s Lujiazui district in Pudong New Area.

"Back then, I didn’t find any difference between Shanghai and the village in Wuhan where I lived. Things are completely different now. Shanghai is an outstanding metropolis not just in China but across the world," said the 54-year-old.

"I feel even more proud to be a Shanghainese now after learning of the city’s master plan for the next 20 years."

In the past, most residents preferred to buy flats around the central Huangpu district as the rest of the city was relatively undeveloped, said Wang. These days, however, most parts of the city are suitable for living thanks to the numerous metro stations across the city and the availability of quality housing.

"One does not need to worry about the level of convenience in the neighborhoods these days. Even if the region is far from the city center, it is still likely to be fully equipped with entertainment, medical and education amenities. City plans and reforms are responsible for driving these developments," she said.

Compiled after the city was turned into a special municipality by the newly established Nanjing National Government of the Republic of China, the first city plan of Shanghai was unveiled in 1929. Though the plan was not fully carried out due to the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the spatial pattern and structure that was already in place had a profound influence on the development of northeastern Shanghai.

The Greater Shanghai Urban Plan, which was created in 1950, was the first master plan to include some regions in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces as part of Shanghai. This plan also helped to decentralize the majority of the population gathered in the downtown area. In 1958, the Preliminary Opinions on Shanghai Master Urban Plan promoted the process of urban construction and the renovation of the downtown areas.

The Shanghai Urban Master Plan in 1986 was the first to gain approval on the national level and this in turn laid the foundation for the city to play a leading role in China’s growth. It was also during this time that national economic and technological zones, such as the Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone, were established.

Later in 2001, the Shanghai Urban Master Plan (1999-2020) promoted the development of the Pudong New Area and the construction of new towns. The Hongqiao Transportation Hub was built during this period.

Jean Baptiste Papin, a Frenchman who has been living in Shanghai for the past three years, was another visitor to the exhibition who is enthralled by the pace of the city’s progress. He singled out the ability to use QR codes to pay for metro rides in the city as one of the latest developments he is most impressed with.

"I’m amazed at Shanghai’s ability to adopt new things within a really short period of time. This is why I like living here," he said.

"The changes that take place in Shanghai always leave me surprised. I’m sure that there are more surprises awaiting us in 2035. Maybe there would be sky-trains in addition to the current buses and subway system. Who knows?"