SHANGHAI

The commercial street of Huaihai Middle Road began developing in the early 20th century and is now one of the most important commercial centres in central Shanghai. The road has many attractive and diverse historical buildings built along it, particularly where it passes through the French Concession area of Shanghai. Commercial streets are not only economically meaningful but are also important public spaces for the city. They can act as social as well as economic centres, providing a focal point for urban life.

The following strategies have been used in our design:

1. Preservation of the historical and cultural resources through restoration of some historical buildings and modification of new architecture styles to correspond with historical buildings.
2. In depth artistic design of street furniture and other elements of the street, in order to elevate the spatial quality of the whole street.
3. Development of small-scale open spaces in order to provide many gathering places for people.
4. Increased involvement of residents in their urban environment through the creation of cultural facilities, in order to strengthen the city’s sense of identity.