Building Shanghai: The Story of China's Gateway

Edward Denison · Guang Yu Ren

Dec 2013 · Sold by John Wiley & Sons

About this ebook

Shanghai's illustrious history and phenomenal future is celebrated in this book, which examines the evolution of the city's architecture and urban form in order to contextualise the challenges facing the city today. The physical legacies that reflect Shanghai's uniqueness historically and contemporarily are examined chronologically using specific case studies of exemplary architecture interwoven in a compelling narrative that unlocks the many mysteries surrounding this amazing metropolis. Some of the most influential colonial architecture in the world, outstanding examples of Modernism and Art Deco, and an exceptional selection of eclectic and vernacular architecture reflecting Shanghai's many adopted cultures are revealed. This is the first book ever to examine this remarkable subject in a manner that is both comprehensive and captivating in its written content and stunningly illustrated with over 300 archive and contemporary photographs and maps.

About the author

Edward Denison is a design consultant, writer and photographer, whose work focuses on preservation and regeneration in the built environment. Bridging academic and practical disciplines, his work in Africa, Asia and Europe includes consulting for international agencies in heritage conservation, authoritative books on design and architecture, and internationally published architectural photography and writing.

Guang Yu Ren is an architect and independent consultant. Having practised in China for several years, she moved to Australia to augment her design education. Since then, she has worked with international agencies in Africa and the UK to conserve and promote architectural heritage. Her latest project has brought her back to Shanghai, where she was born and raised, and where she now works to encourage heritage conservation in education and practice, and to build links between China with the rest of the world in this field.