th

Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

Refining and Reappearance: Shanghai South Bund Revitalization

Foreword
The functional transform of modern city and the rapid development of information
communication make traditional industries of shipping docks and warehouses hollowed out.
This makes waterfront area reconstruction imperative. It also brings fresh air to the
exploration and development of urban social economy and its functional structure reform.
Fuxing Dock of the South Bund, the subject of this article, has gone through its early
prosperity, its later decline and the present reform. It serves as a good example to show the
development process of all the many waterfront areas of the world.

1. Brief Background Introduction: Interactive Development of

Shanghai City and Huangpu River
As the biggest river in Shanghai, Huangpu River acted as a natural port and a lifeline of the
city at the beginning.
This 114-kilometer river originates in the southwest of Shanghai, runs through the whole city
and joins Yangtze River at Wusong. Most of the waterfront areas on both banks of Huangpu
River resulted from the industrialization of Shanghai from the late 19th century and the early
20th century. Docks, factories and warehouses cover most bank lines of the river. With the
reconstruction of city industrial structure and city functional structure, these waterfront areas
need immediate reforming.
In the 1990s, the city of Shanghai crossed Huangpu River and started a new development
stage, resulting in the exploitation of Pudong and later the rising of Lujiazui Finance and
Trade Zone.
The outward moving of ports and the adjustment of city industrial structure provide an
opportunity to renovating and reforming the waterfront areas on both sides of Huangpu River.
On January 10th, 2002, a strategic plan was made to carry out overall development on both
banks of Huangpu River. Bureau for Municipal Design of Shanghai made a conceptual urban
design for the waterfront area of Huangpu River, which is 20 kilometers long and covers an
area of 22.6 square kilometers. The Bureau also made a detailed design for the four core
areas on the banks. This plan, together with the adjustment of city industrial and functional
structures, will gradually change the banks of Huangpu River into public open areas and
greenbelts and at last into the core of city space of Shanghai. (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Comprehensive development on the banks of Huangpu River

(Source: Shanghai Shenjiang Group)

1
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

The reconstruction plan for the banks of Huangpu River consists of five basic objectives. The
first is functional reform. It aims at moving all docks, factories and warehouses on the banks
and building public waterfront open space integrating residence, work, culture, recreation,
tourism and other functions. The second is environment protection. It aims at treating the
industrial pollution and at the same time building greenbelts on both banks to improve
biological diversity in the city environment. The third is to improve life quality and traffic
condition. In particular, connection between the city and the waterfront areas should be
enhanced and the river bank areas should be pleasant and easy to reach. The fourth is to
protect the historical cultural heritages of the city. The fifth is to reconstruct the space
landscape of the city.

2. City Reconstruction: The Reconstructed South Bund after

Functional Transform
As the symbol of Shanghai, the Bund, which is located in the core area of Huangpu River,
bears a century’s romances of the city. The North Bund, the Old Bund and the South Bund
have written a long scroll of history of the river together. The site of the 2010 Shanghai Expo
is located on the bank of Huangpu River in the city center of Shanghai. This again attracted
more attention to the development of Huangpu banks. Thus, the reconstruction of the South
Bund, which lies between the Old Bund and the Expo Park, deserves more careful
consideration.
Fuxing Dock, the core area of the South Bund, is located on Zhongshan South Road. It
reaches Huangpu River in the east, Baidu Road in the north and Dongjiadu in the south, and
covers an area of 13 hectares. It has the only large-scale man-made waterfront platform on
Huangpu River. Fuxing Dock extends to the north to connect Shiliupu (Water Tourist Center),
the Old Bund (the Financial and Trade Center) and the North Bund (the International
Shipping Center). Its south end is less than 2 kilometers away from Expo Park. It lies next to
the Old City Area (Historic Reserves Zone) and Dongjiadu, the biggest old city construction
area in Shanghai now, in the west. (Figure 2)

the North Bund

the Old Bund

the Lujiazui District

the Old Town

the South Bund

the EXPO Park

Figure 2: Location of the area (Source: Shanghai Shenjiang Group)

Fuxing Dock Block has been a place rich in dock culture and tall buildings since it became a
port. It played an important role in the city development and the advance of industrial and
commercial civilization of Shanghai. It’s a unique historical block. Thus how to protect the

2
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

material and nonmaterial heritages of this area becomes the first task. This was why the
reconstruction plan was based on a “protective development” idea when it was first put
forward. A single building can be protected as a cultural relic. But you can’t do the same to a
block, as its existing surrounding and people’s lifestyle have become history and can be
found no more. It’s only a spirit carrier of a time. Thus, the plan is designed to represent the
space of the whole block and abstract its spirit by improving its material space and boosting
its nonmaterial culture. We will create a new block which not only bears historical memory
but also has the vitality of time. (Figure 3)

Figure 3: Bird eye view of the whole area (2006)

3. Strategic Decision: Refining of Historical Spirit

The nonmaterial cultural value of the area lies in its “historical spirit”. Interpreting and
discovering the “historical spirit” of this area is the precondition of accurately researching the
symbolic characteristics of this area.

3.1. Modern --- Lead Emerging Economies

Shanghai is a city nurtured by the river in modern China.
As traditional river navigation gave way to seaborne trade, Shanghai became a central port
for shipping transfer between Chinese south and north oceans, and between the river and
the ocean, as well as a collecting and distributing centre for shipping trade. The rapid
progress of water transportation transfer and the shipping industry brought manpower,
materials and capital to the bank lines of Huangpu River. Fuxing Dock rose as a port and
later became a “new economic zone” outside the Old City Area of Shanghai. There was the
description of “grabbing dock” in history records, which perfectly reflected the prosperity of
Fuxing Dock as the “water and land hub” of old Shanghai.
How can we represent this “golden waterfront” under the situations of new economy today?
To regain its collecting capacity of manpower, materials and capital, we should first develop it
into a waterfront that aims at internationalization, provide first-class living condition, and
attract emerging industries. Then, we should take full advantage of its regional feature to
equip it with abundant public facilities and activities so as to make it a center for emerging
economic activities again.

3.2. Open --- Reconstruct City Window

An industrial and commercial center nurtured by port economy.
Adventurers, investors and entrepreneurs from all over the world came to Shanghai through
Fuxing Dock. The collection of capital nurtured the local industries of Shanghai. Unlike
farming civilization, which is typical in traditional north cities, the rising of Shanghai and other
modern port cities really represented the process of modernization of China. Various stores,
industrial associations and societies appeared accordingly, thus giving chance to a series of
new social classes. This was how open modern cities began.
Today, these traditional ports and streets will become public recreation spots for modern
people of all kinds. Moreover, we will turn these historical streets and building containers into
the city window of Shanghai again. Over time, it will become an irreproducible new city

3
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

center integrating the new port economy with historical heritages.

3.3. Diverse --- Develop Compound Functions

A new city construction model nurtured by the new economy.
As the only “Chinese dock” in Shanghai, Fuxing Dock broke the traditional Chinese city
pattern. It was full of old and new elements at the same time and various functions coexisted.
With the western city development concept being brought in, the “Chinese port --- warehouse
trade --- residence vendors --- supporting service” mixed development mode appeared on
the traditional streets old Shanghai. (Figure 4)
The future development of Fuxing Dick should also be centered on the function of waterfront
landscape recreation and supplemented by the functions of modern commerce, recreation,
culture, leisure, office work and residence. It will satisfy people’s need for a diverse modern
city lifestyle and at the same time realize its concentrated composite land function.

Figure 4: Design sketch for the compound function of this land

3.4. Indigenous --- Promote Regional Features

New city features born in a diverse construction model.
As one of the most international cities of the world, Shanghai still has many city features
integrating Chinese and western cultures, which makes its city space and architectural style
diverse. Fuxing Dock has witnessed the process of “developing the city from its port and
bringing prosperity to all industries” of Shanghai. It is also the center for Shanghai dock
cultural relics and Shanghai culture.
As the only “Chinese dock” in Shanghai, Fuxing Dock should be rich in historical and cultural
features after being reconstructed. Old ports, boats and building relics should be preserved
and used in the overall modern landscape design. It will be reconstructed into a modern,
fashionable and industrialized area rich in regional features, which not only meets the needs
for the mixed development mode but also helps the creation of a healthy and vigorous public
place carrying the culture of the city.

4. Strategic Plan: Reappearance of Place Space

Compared with the western leased ports in the Old Bund, Fuxing Dock is the most regionally
featured trade, material and living center and a typical old dock of Shanghai. With so
abundant spatial elements coexisting, the strategic plan abstracted four features based on

4
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

thorough interpretation of its space value, which are “bund”, “warehouse”, “store” and
“neighborhood”. These features well reflect the space combination relations of the area and
the historical reasons. (Figure 5, Figure 6)

Figure 5: Analysis of present spatial elements

Figure 6: Abstraction of spatial elements

4.1. The Bund: Shorelines/Ports --- Base Spatial Element on Huangpu River banks
Fuxing Dock area is considered as the real Shanghai “bund” mainly because it has the only
large-area waterfront platform outside the flood prevention walls of Huangpu River. It extends
about 800 meters from Baidu Road to Dongjiadu Road. The waterfront platform is not only a
symbol for past prosperity but also the base spatial element of the present river landscape
and modern life.
The bund can be divided into two parts.
The north part, a platform starts from Waicuifeng Road to at the 4# warehouse. It’s about 500
meters long and 20 meters wide. As the elevation of the platform is about 1.5m lower than
the flood prevention wall, different spatial features form inside and outside the wall. Outside
the wall is a public waterfront activity area featured in the connecting old warehouse
buildings, where yachts and tourists can come and go. Inside the wall is a nine-meter-wide

5
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

continuous passage, a relatively quiet and half-public space. (Figure 7, Figure 8)

The north part lies next to Gongyi Dock Road and is where Dongjiadu Maritime Affairs Office
and the Ferry Station lie. According to the plan, relatively independent yacht and official duty
ship landing lines will be constructed based on present warehouse functions. This will bring
diversity to the dock line activities.

Figure 7: Design sketch of 1# Warehouse waterfront platform reconstruction

Figure 8: Design sketch of 2# Warehouse waterfront platform reconstruction

4.2. The Warehouses: Material Remains of Shipping Trade

Chinese Business Warehouse is the remains of the most representative buildings in Fuxing
Dock. (Table 1)
Number on
Name Original name and function Year of building
Waima Road
1# Warehouse No. 453 Dongtai Fruit & Aquatic Product Market 1936
Shanghai Xingqiao Fruit Sales Office
2# Warehouse No. 579 Shanghai Suofude Fruit Wholesale Market 1965
3# Warehouse No. 601 China FAW Bund Yangtze Service Center 1949
Shanghai No.2 Aquatic Product Supply
4# Warehouse No. 653 1984 (rebuilt)
and Marketing Company
Shanghai Grain and Oil Goods Composite
5# Warehouse No. 725 1949
Market
Medicine Waima Road Warehouse of Shanghai
No. 574 1958
Warehouse Huayu Medicine Ltd.
Shizi Fruit Garden
No. 656
Warehouse
Shanghai No.2 Aquatic Product Supply
Refrigeration
No. 690 and Marketing Company Refrigeration 1984 (rebuilt)
house
Plant
Table 1: List of remaining warehouse buildings
According to researches on the building quality, history, landscape and implementation of
five warehouses, the plan puts forward the overall reform for eight historical buildings.
These include the five waterfront warehouses. The first three warehouses have the best
landscape and will be reconstructed into a comprehensive commercial area featured in
waterside catering. The fourth and the fifth warehouses will be changed into exquisite

6
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

hotel-style apartments. The sixth building is Medicine Warehouse. It will be turned into a
culture exhibiting and experiencing center. The seventh, Shizi Fruit Garden Warehouse, will
become a center for creation, exhibition and sale. The last, the Refrigeration House, will be a
feature commercial service complex. (Figure 9)

Figure 9: Design sketch of Medicine Warehouse and New Dock Road

4.3. The Streets: Extension of Transportation Network Boosted by Trade

The prosperous shipping industry has gestated city construction of Old City Area waterfront
area.
Ports and the streets connected to ports are the lifelines of material flow, warehouses and
trade activities. The streets, densely distributed on the banks of Huangpu River, have
developed into a system of streets named after different industries, families and regions.
(Table 2) (Figure 10)

Figure 10: Port and street pattern of the South Bund area Fuxing Dock in 1932
(Source: Shanghai Shenjiang Group)
Name Road width (m) Road length (m) Planned type
Waima Road 12.8~17.6 (planned 18.0) 920 Branch road (vertical)
Pubin Road 8.0~11.6 (planned 8.0) 528 Walking road (vertical)
Baidu Road 12.9~19.7 (planned 20.0) 99 Branch road
Waicuifeng Road 6.3~6.4 106 Walking road
Maojiayuan Road 10.2~13.8 115 Branch road
Jiqing Road 5.0 122 Walking road
New Dock Road 6.4~7.8 (planned 16.0) 127 Branch road
Shengmao Dock Road 8.3 110 Walking road
Zhuhang Dock Road 9.6~11.2 136 Branch road
Wangjia Dock Road 9.1~10.0 134 Branch road
Wanyu Dock Road 9.2 117 Walking road
Gongyi Dock Road 10.2~13.9 112 Branch road
Dongjiadu Road (planned 20.0) 122 Branch road
Table 2: List of road planning

7
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

Figure 11: Road traffic planning and timeshare traffic guidance

Buildings in the neighborhood also extend from the waterside towards inland along with the
streets to form the shape of a comb. There is “one vertical line (Waima Road) and seven
horizontal lines” for vehicles and “one vertical line (Pubin Road) and four horizontal lines” for
pedestrian, thus forming an interlaced “double comb” pattern. To ensure the city activity
quality in the core area, the plan also puts forward a core activity protection area and
timeshare traffic management. In one section of Waima Road, from Maojiayuan Road to
Wangjia Dock Road, there are Maojiayuan Road, Jiqing Road, New Dock Road, Zhuhang
Dock Road and Wangjia Dock Road surrounding the core block of 608, 609, 610 and 611.
Afternoons and evenings on weekends and holidays are the climax of activities, during which
time motor vehicles are prohibited to ensure pedestrian traffic and city activities. (Figure 11)

4.4. The Neighborhood: Continuous City Land Development

The traffic needs and city features form the shape of a “comb” facing westwards and this is
just the commercial dock neighborhood space of Shanghai. The neighborhood consists of
different industries, associations and families, each covering an area of less than 1 hectare.
The land is characterized in small size, mixed functions and dense buildings. Each unit has
“a store in the front and a workshop at the back”, having the full functions of storage,
exchange and settlement. But there is a lack of public service facilities. The development
mode of mixed function and self improvement has long been carried out.
After careful analysis of the land’s present situation and consideration of its protective
development needs, the plan puts forward a “T-shaped” space structure, dividing it into
seven functional areas and nine neighborhood units. Additionally, many greenbelts will be
opened based on the activity lines to improve the environment. The neighborhood units will
have major functions and supporting functions, integrating living, leisure, work and recreation.
(Figure 12, Figure 13)

8
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

Figure12: Design sketch of Jiqing Street reconstruction

Figure 13: T-shaped structure and the seven functional areas

5. Project Implementation: Realization of Dreams

In the 1990s, the city boundary water routes of Shanghai on Huangpu River began to return
to the city center. Thus the industrial function of the waterfront area gradually turned into
living landscape. The city core functional pattern of “the Three Bund” (the North Bund, the
Old Bund and the South Bund) became obvious and new opportunities for social economic
transfer appeared.
However, compared with the North Bund, which has recently been transferred into an
international shipping service center, and the Old Bund, which is aimed to become an
international finance and trade center, the South Bund is slow in space planning and
reconstruction. The plan is just a primary exploration for the development of the South Bund.
The plan concerns more about the vitality reconstruction of this city historical block than its
protection. Thus the planning methods are based on the purpose of history recalling and
culture recovering. It’s intended to realize the communication of the old time and the modern
time and the interaction between the waterfront environment and city development in this
block.
After years of recovering and improving and with the advance of the Bund integrating and

9
 th
Yu Jing Shanghai South Bund Revitalization 47 ISOCARP Congress 2011

Huangpu River bank comprehensive developing, the South Bund, a land bearing the forever
memory of Shanghai, finally showed people its riverside landscape and positional value in
2010 when Shanghai Expo successfully ended.( Figure 14)( Figure 15)

Figure 14: Design sketch of the overall plane layout

Figure 15: Photos of present reconstruction (May 2010)

References:
1. Zhang Jie, Pang Jun(2011), “Old City Preservation Planning with Big Events”, Planners Vol27,
March 2011
：
2. Zhang Song(2010), “Discussion on the Design Strategy of Renewal of Urban Waterfront District
Taking the Development for Cross-strait of Shanghai Huangpu River as an Example “, Urbanism and
Architecture, February 2010
3. Xi Dongfan (2008), “Function Continuation in Heritage Conservation”, Urban Planning Forum
(supplementary issue)
6.Zhou Jian, Liang Jie, Chen Fei(2007), “A Study on the Compilation and Implementation of the
Conservation Plan of Historic Areas—— With Shanghai as the Example”, Urban Planning Forum,
Vol.4 2007
4. Xue Shunsheng, Lou Chenghao(2004), Shanghai Old Industrial Remains, Shanghai Tongji
University Press
5.été lee etassociés architectes, Urbanistes, Shenjiang Group (2006) ”Old Dock New Bund – South
Bund City Planning”
6.Shanghai Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute, Shenjiang Group(2007) “Fuxing Dock Area
(Protective Development) Concept Planning”

Yu Jing, Dean Assistant, Director of Studio 6, Shanghai Tongji Urban Planning and Design
Institute, China

10