Non-Motorized Paths in

Shanghai
To foster bicycling and walking, Shanghai has been making investments in non-motorized transportation infrastructure. In spite of
the city's reputation for busy streets and copious amounts of traffic, there are some places with open spaces and bike lanes where
locals and tourists can relish a car-free ambience.

A couple of Shanghai's NMT routes are as follows:

People can walk and enjoy beautiful

views of the city's skyline.

Pedestrian Water Promenade Xintiandi: With its traditional Shikumen (stone gate)
architecture, Xintiandi is a trendy neighborhood. It has
The Bund: It is a well-known waterfront neighborhood near the pedestrian-only streets with stores, cafes, and restaurants,
Huangpu River in the heart of Shanghai. making it ideal for a leisurely stroll.
 Hengshan Road & Nanjing Road: Pedestrian-
friendly, tree-lined lanes of the former French
Concession area make it a delightful spot for walking.
Nanjing Road is home to dining establishments &
shopping avenues.

Century Park: Featuring a multitude of non-motorized pathways for

walking and cycling, this park is among the biggest in the city. The park has
bike rentals so you can explore its lakes and grassy areas.

Zhongshan Park: Nestled in the Changning District, Zhongshan Park

offers recreational areas, gardens, and walking routes for taking a stroll in
tranquility.
Fuxing Park: Situated in the former French Concession region,
this park offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of the city with
its tree-lined walks, small lake, and historical monuments.

Suzhou Creek Promenade: There are pedestrian promenades

along the creek where you can walk or ride your bike.
Urban Spaces
Shanghai’s urban spaces are a perfect amalgamation of modernity and
tradition.
The skyscrapers in the Pudong region of the city is well known for its
skyline and there are neighborhoods such as The Bund and the French
Concession with its historic relevance.
There are many breathing lung pockets in the city as public green
spaces, which act as and offer relief from the busy environment.
Shanghai’s sparkling and vivid urban setting is a reflection of country’s
evolution and is widely considered as the international entry point for
China.
It has a very diverse mix of areas where some profoundly acts as
business pockets or district, which boost its economy and some other
areas that manifests how the urban core is balanced with the spaces for
cultural and historic relevance, recreational areas, etc.
Historical Context​

​Colonial Influence:

The influence of the Colonial powers like Japan, the

British, and the French in the Shanghai’s history and its
evolution is explicit during the beginning of the
20th century. The architectural elements and
urban layouts that belong to this era still exists within
the city limits. ​ Fig : Map representing the commercial hubs of Shanghai
​
Eg- The French Concession, the Bund.​
​
Old vs. New: ​

Shanghai accommodates both historic features and

modern, contemporary elements with synergy in it. It has
modernized improved urban layouts and top class cities
with huge skyscrapers at the same time it
preserves lineage through old Shikumen housing
structure and narrow pathways besides it.​

Fig : The image shows the blend of old and new buildings .
Central Business Districts (CBDs): Within the limits of
Shanghai there are multiple CBDs that are characterized and
categorized based on the building types and its uses. For
example, there are traditional, old CBDs like Puxi, and
also modern areas such as Lujiazui inside.​

Transportation Hubs: The connectivity factor within the city

is very robust, well-maintained, acknowledged, and comprises
a well-connected multi-modal interchange system with
extensive road networks. Shanghai also connects the city
center with the airport through a high-speed train system.​

Riverfront Development: The connectivity within the city is

well maintained and acknowledged. They have a well-
connected multi-modal interchange system with extensive road
networks. Shanghai also has a high-speed train system that
connects the city center with the airport.​

Mixed Land Use: The city has a very diverse and mixed land
uses that incorporates residential, commercial, retail,
recreational and industrial land uses.​

Fig : Image representing different land uses

Skyscrapers

Pudong's Skyline: The city is well known for its advanced, modern,
futuristic skyscrapers and skyline with Shanghai Tower, Jin Mao
Tower etc as the examples of a few predominant famous
skyscrapers which represents the unique and modern architecture. ​

Historic Architecture: A few areas like the French Concession and

the Bund has buildings as well as structures that are preserved from
the early colonial era. Moreover, there are other old Shikumen
housing buildings as well which still exist in the well
preserved areas.​

Sustainability and Environment​ Fig : The image shows the blend of new and old buildings

Green Initiatives: Many sustainable methods has been incorporated

in the city to nourish a greener environment by integrating green
roofs, bioswales and urban rain gardens and many such features with
the city elements.​

Public Transportation: There are sustainable, green non

motorized transportation systems incorporated within the city, like,
the Improved bicycle infrastructure. Moreover, the subway system
extension is another example for sustainability to streamline the
traffic to mass carriers carried out by the city.​

Fig : Figure represents connectivity with the city

 Cultural and Recreational Venues​

Museums and Cultural Centers: Many museums, cultural

and recreational areas, like the Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand
Theatre, Power station of art etc.​

Entertainment Districts: Xintiandia and Cool Docks are two

examples, which offers numerous entertainment options such as
the shopping facilities and dining areas.​

Housing and Urban Planning​

Residential Neighborhoods: The key focus is to accommodate the

enormous massive population traffic of the city without compromising
much and the old Shikumen houses in historic districts and
also apartment high rise buildings are done with that objective.​

Mixed-Use Development: The city has incorporated ample residential,

retail and commercial facilities integrated together for mixed use
development.​

Economic Hubs​: There are specialized industrial and economic

districts in the city that amplifies its economy and also separate areas
for financial, technology and manufacturing industries.​
​
Public Open Spaces:​
​
Parks and Gardens: Shanghai is a city with
numerous green spaces. It consist many parks,
recreational and open spaces etc. Few examples are
Century Park, Botanical
Garden, Yuyuan Garden, Fucing park etc. These
spaces acts as the breathing space of the city.​

The Bund: It is a scenic promenade with the

Huangpu River and is one of the most popular
attractions of the city. The area has the views of the
historic buildings as well as the modern areas of the
city.​

Waterfront Promenades: Promenades with

beautiful views with pedestrian, bicycle paths, open
spaces etc. ​
 Landscape and Aesthetics: Shanghai has elegantly designed green
spaces with gardens, creative accents, water features etc. These are
mainly areas that are calm and relaxing within the busy city and this
is an emphasizing feature.​

Recreational Facilities: The open spaces are designed in a way that

they can cater to the needs of the diverse population. The areas
consist of exercise equipment, cycling trails, pedestrian and jogging
tracks, playgrounds, gathering spaces, picnic areas, etc.​

Cultural Significance: There are few areas with historic and cultural
relevance within the city. The Bund ana Yuyuan Garden are examples
of these. The city has taken great initiative to preserve these areas and
to reflect the heritage value of the city.​
Fig : Public plazas within the city
Events and Activities​

Cultural Events: These areas used as venues for cultural events,

festivals, concerts, music festivals etc. People’s square is an example
for this.​

Community Engagement: Plazas and parks serve as focal points for

social events such as dancing, tai chi classes, and community get-
togethers. These areas encourage social interaction and a feeling of
community.

Fig : Streets in the city

 References
1. Kuso, Fumi. “Shanghai Trip Part 10: Xintiandi, Middle Huaihai Road, Hengshan Road and Tianzifang.” Kosublog, 21 July 2019, kosublog.com/en/shanghai-1905-part10/.
Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

2. Lehrer, Ute, et al. Shanghai Urbanism: Reflections from the Outside In. 2015, suburbs.info.yorku.ca/files/2019/09/42COD-3636915-2015-Shanghai-Report_PROOF.pdf?
x44769.

3. Liu, April. “The Urban Environment of Shanghai, China.” ArcGIS StoryMaps, Esri, 26 Oct. 2020, storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4734818c4507432d9b48c9e2442c33a7.
Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

4. Lucarelli, Fosco. “Comparing Urbanization.” SOCKS, 24 June 2012, socks-studio.com/2012/06/24/comparing-urbanization/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

5. S, Omeka. “Shanghai Urban Planning · Shanghai: Urban Design and Planning · Reed Omeka.” Reed.edu, 2017, omeka.reed.edu/s/urban-design-221S21/page/shanghai-
urban-planning-timeline. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

6. Qian, Guan, and Guan Qian. “Lilong Housing : A Traditional Settlement Form.” EScholarship@McGill, McGill University,
2019, escholarship.mcgill.ca/concern/theses/bn999858f. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

7. Shanghai Urban Planning and Land Resource Administration Bureau. Shanghai Master Plan 2017-2035. Jan.
2018, ghzyj.sh.gov.cn/cmsres/7a/7aadbed5982b4b79b3343d22b90283c5/0eb1d6b486b06ea9ed60decd246a4ee7.pdf. Accessed 25 Oct. 2023.

8. “Shanghai Old Town Master Plan.” SOM, www.som.com/projects/shanghai-old-town-master-plan/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

9. “Suzhou Creek Has a New 5km Public Running Tracki.” SmartShanghai, 2019, www.smartshanghai.com/articles/sportrecreation/suzhou-creek-fitness-track-the-other-
running-path. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

10. Zhang, Andy. “My City: A Designer’s Guide to Shanghai - Christie’s International Real Estate.” Christie’s International Real Estate, 6 Mar. 2017,
www.christiesrealestate.com/blog/my-city-a-designers-guide-to-shanghai/. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.
THANK YOU
Submitted BY:
Rina, Megha, William, Abhinav, Tamil
Revisiting the Shanghai’s Public Realm

• Historical Richness of the city – The Bund and The French concession
• Green Pockets – Century park, Fucing park, Zhongshan Park, Yuyuan Garden,
• Business and Entertainment Districts – Xintiandia, Nanjing Road and Cool Docks
• Recreational and Community Engagement – People’s Square, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Grand Theater
• Skyscrapers – Pudong’s Skyline
• Public Spaces – Water Promenades – The Bund and Suzhou Creek Promenade

Fig The Bund Water Promenade Fig Showing Fucing Park Fig Nanjing Shopping Street
Micro-regeneration in Shanghai and
the public-isation of space
• Shanghai is entering a new urban regeneration phase as
the city adopts a more humanist approach to improve the
quality of urban life.
• As the past urban development in Shanghai’s Public Realm
was more towards creating landmarks and huge scale
structures which lead to decline the inner city,
unsustainable expansion and creating social inequality.
• Urban Design of Shanghai like 100 Architects firm and
many others are working towards the regeneration through
the lens of public space and publicness and public-isation
of community space to create people-oriented urban
realms.
Design guidelines are based on three interconnected ways :
Public-isation of the design and planning processes
Public-isation through eventification
Public-isation by cultivating civic consensus

This goes beyond local spatial configuration and contributes to

humans scale design vision materially and symbolically.
 The bridge lengths over a km offering mesmerizing
views of the river and has all potential to become a
urban landmark.

100 architects firm has reimagine this dull bridge

into colourful elevated and eventful space adding
playfulness and color to the city, without
transforming the structure.

Fig: High Loop Pedestrian Bridge Plan and Views

High Loop – A proposal of renovation of Puji

Road Pedestrian Bridge in Shanghai
• Originally was built in 2017 as Pedestrian Bridge connecting the
districts of Zhabei and Jing’an, over the Suzhou Creek

• Renovated at World’s Expo of Shanghai to allow small vehicular

access like scooters and bikes to enhance connectivity between
these areas
Design concept
• Changing a dreary grey asphalt road into a vibrant
and joyful park that connects two neighborhood
sections.
• The road colour pattern improves mobility by including
pragmatic pockets.
• A linear lane in electric lime for bicycles and
motorcycles, and a winding loop in magenta for a
relaxed pedestrian path to appreciate the ride and
vistas.
• Viewing decks, picnic plazas, lounge places, and mini
amphitheaters are all designated with cyan blue.
• These social function nooks contrast with the yellow
urban furniture.

• Greenery planters are used as attractive features as

well as useful dividers between the motorized track
and the pedestrian walkway.
• This frameworks fulfill the creation of human –
oriented urban realm.
Fig: High Loop Pedestrian Bridge Plan and Views
 Fig: Design Concept of High Loop

Video link : https://youtu.be/VLNz0Tl2Myo

Lollipop Street – Public Space in Jinyang L-Site Mall
Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone of Lujiazui, Pudong District

• Intends to build a chic outdoor play space that will serve as a

hub for community interaction and welcome.
• The walkway is visually appealing and colourful, with
pockets of opportunities for play, amusement, and leisure.

Video link : https://youtu.be/Cs47wn_5gYw

Fig: People’s Engagement within Lollipop Street
 This design is bubbling basketball field
where people can play, climb, slide, sit,
lay down and do all playful acts.
This intervention foster interactions,
attract customers and enhance the
experience within an open-air Retail
Street.

Red Planet - Public Space near shopping mall Zhabei QU

• Circulation space turn into Interactive space, where people
stop & play with their kids and interact with other families
• This attracts people to the shopping district and boost the
economy that region
• Surround by adjacent busiest shopping streets in Shanghai Fig: People’s Engagement within Red Planet
High Loop :
https://www.archdaily.com/944704/100architects-regenerates-pedestrian-bridge-in-shanghai-china-with-c
olorful-spaces

Lollipop Street: https://100architects.com/project/lollipop-street/?dv=1

Red Planet:

Shanghai’s Public Realm Images

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/504403227011430098/