LXIII. Shanghai, China
Shanghai, ChinaShanghai, China —Ye Jia
Shanghai, China
Shanghai is one of China’s municipalities and the second most populous city. The Huangpu River, connecting the Yangtze River to the sea, divides the city into the western cultural and historical core and the eastern central business district. Since modern times, Shanghai has been a major gateway and port in China, leading in development with technology and internationalization as its hallmarks.
Population:
Urban: 24,000,000 people
Metro: 40,000,000 people
Area:
Urban: 1,600 km2
Metro(Shanghai-Suzhou-Wuxi-Nantong-Jiaxing): 11,000 km2
Population Density:
Urban Average: 15,000 people/km2
Metro Average: 3,600 people/km2
Politics:
The Shanghai Municipal People’s Government is the administrative authority of Shanghai. The mayor, elected by the citizens to a five-year term, is in charge of the city’s administration. As one of China’s municipalities, Shanghai’s government has extensive responsibilities, including public education, correctional facilities, libraries, public safety, recreational amenities, sanitation, water supply, and welfare services. The municipal government comprises several offices, bureaus, and divisions to ensure efficient administration.
Shanghai’s terrain is primarily flat plains with occasional small hills, especially in the city center where land use is highly intensive.
Historically, Shanghai has been one of China’s main gateways and ports, attracting a large influx of domestic and international residents since its modern opening.
In some old urban areas and cultural protection zones in the city center, such as Laoximen, Huaihai Road, and Yuyuan, the population density is extremely high, but the intensity of land development is relatively low. This is closely related to the protection of historical appearance and the existing urban spatial structure of these areas. These areas have preserved many traditional buildings and alleyways, forming a unique urban texture.
The majority of the urban area is dominated by commercial high-rise buildings, with numerous business and financial centers showcasing Shanghai’s prosperity. The suburbs are mainly characterized by high-tech industrial parks and residential areas. The lack of mixed-use urban functions reduces the quality of living experience.
Perceived density is usually associated with the feeling of indoor and outdoor space, linked to individual cognitive attributes and socio-cultural norms. Shanghai performs well in this regard, with many pocket parks easily accessible from shopping malls, office buildings, and residential buildings. However, traffic congestion under high-density conditions can also be seen as an aspect of perceived building density. The crowded subways during rush hours transport people from the city center to suburban residences, extending the time of crowded urban living experience.
Shanghai, China: High-Density Building Typologies
![]()
Shanghai China: Urban Void Typologies
Sources:
[2] Photos from VCG.com
[3] https://www.sohu.com/a/580418919_397390
[4] http://thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_29541247