Over three decades, Shanghai has evolved into the megacity we enjoy today, and this will continue in the years to come. Following the introduction of the Shanghai Masterplan (2017-2035), urban planning will focus on transforming waterfront areas into accessible public parks, and urbanization will continue throughout Greater Shanghai. Here's a look at the hottest developments that will transform the urban fabric of this city.
Pudong Riverside
Image via The Paper
As we head into 2019, an ambitious riverside development project is set to enhance the Pudong waterfront area, which will integrate the existing swampland into the park's design and implement easier transport for pedestrians and cyclists. The project has been developed to link the Expo Park to the south, the Lujiazui finance hub and Minsheng Art Wharf to the north. Over 21 kilometers of parkland you'll find a promenade with jogging tracks and cycling lanes. For families, there are also amenities located at one-kilometer intervals with cafes and vending machines.
Suzhou Creek
1,000 Trees Hanging Gardens. Image via NetEase
Led by architectural firm Sasaki and the Jingan Urban Planning Bureau, the urban regeneration project along Suzhou Creek aims to restore the dampened reputation of this ancient waterway. With pedestrian walkways and commercial developments on the plan, 2019 will see this location revived. One of the most jaw-dropping constructions, coined '1,000 Trees Hanging Gardens,' is expected to open to the public by the end of 2018. As the name suggests, greenery is an integral part of this multi-use complex, as 1,000 mature trees of varied species adorn the 800 structural columns and stepped terraces. Futuristic outlook aside, it will also bridge the void between the established M50 art district and the transport hub at the Shanghai Railway Station. The renewed interest in this area will also allow more visitors to appreciate the rich layers of history that the banks of Suzhou Creek have to offer.
North Bund
Magic Jungle. Image via ifeng
The northern section of the Bund has quietly been renovated into a leisure park to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. During early weekday mornings you'll find joggers and residents along the paths, while on the weekends, families and tourists stroll down the leafy lanes. And, a new outdoor adventure park called Magic Jungle has recently opened next to the International Cruise Terminal. Spiraling slides, climbing nets and a massive swing are just some of the features to entertain adrenaline-seeking types. Time to let the kids embrace their inner Tarzan!
Xuhui Riverfront
Image via Baidu Baike
With a high concentration of sizeable art venues, the cultural scene at the Xuhui Riverfront will continue to bloom in the years to come. This 11-kilometer strip of waterfront space directly south of the Bund is already home to a handful of prolific museums and galleries, including the Power Station of Art, Long Museum West Bund, Yuz Museum and the Shanghai Center of Photography.
The opening of a new West Bund Art Museum, slated for 2019, will inject new life into the area. This museum project is a collaboration between the prestigious Centre Pompidou in Paris and the West Bund Group, and will be the former's first overseas outpost in their global expansion plan. The threestorey space is designed by the London-based David Chipperfield Architects, who already made their mark in Shanghai with the UK Pavilion at the 2010 World Expo and the Bund Finance Centre. Upon completion, the West Bund Art Museum will boast 25,000 square meters of exhibition and research space, and present shows along with exchange programs between China and France.
Also worth looking out for on these soils is Tank Shanghai. On the former property of Longhua Airport, a new 60,000 square meter. multi-use complex will blend exhibition spaces, a bookstore, education center and restaurants into one impressive culture hub.
Lingang New City
Image via Zhihu
Back in the early 1990s when planners penned down their vision for Pudong to adopt 'a new look every year' and 'an astonishing change every three years,' they meant business. Following the successful transformation of Lujiazui, the 250 square kilometers of land around Dishui Lake (the largest artificial freshwater lake in China) is turning into an impressive space for tourism and leisure. For example, Haichang Ocean Park, which opened in November 2018, presents a dozen aquariums, theme parks and resorts for families to enjoy. There is also the Shanghai Planetarium coming in 2022 which will include an IMAX Theater, a Youth Observation Camp along with a solar telescope for stargazing. Another family-friendly park due to open in 2022 will be the world's largest indoor ski resort, Winterstar. Looking for a new playground to entertain the family over a weekend? Lingang is the way.
[Cover image via Pixabay]
