Analysis of Shanghai's Commerce

02 URBAN PLANNING - polycentricity and pragmatism
Shanghai is undergoing a rapid transformation: From communist planned economy to an
open economy, from an industrial city to an post-industrial high-dense city.
Government control and market economy have merged under a common agenda
consequencing in a new pragmatism in urban planning, like the development of Pudong
New Area shows.
History
Shanghai, a former fishing village grew into a trading town beginning in the tenth century.
The settlement structure was defined entirely by tradition. When the Chinese Empire was
forced to grant concessions in 1842, the European urban design prevailed and shaped the
city to this day. The districts formed a pattern along the western bank of the Huangpu river.
The infrastructure met the European standard, bringing paved roads, urban lightning and a
water and sewage system.[8]
The International Settlement and the French Concession expanded in western direction with
the Huangpu River forming the western boundary. Around 1900 the city began to grow and
Shanghai became increasingly industrialized, combined with growing slum belts on the edges
of town.[8]
In 1948 Shanghai's resident population was 4,6 million people on 617km², in 1968 Shanghai's
territory was increased ten times to a total of 6186km², smaller towns were incorporated. New
Sub Centres with special functions emerged: Baoshan for steel production, Songjang for the
mechanical and Minhang for the chemical and engineering industry – residential and
employment functions were combined, to avoid dormitory suburbs.