Photography Journal

Following on from this morning’s photographic gallery of Shanghai’s The Bund district, here are photos of other locations and architecture across the metropolis of Shanghai.

Located by the Huangpu River on the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai once a quiet fishing village transformed into a bustling, crowded city of commerce due to its convenient port location and opening up to foreign trade following the Treaty of Nanking. The foreigners left in the 1950s and with them, their money, yet the city continued to grow. Then, several decades later came Deng Xiaoping’s economic reforms and with them, Shanghai’s chance to re-enter the international stage and thrust itself once more as one of the most vibrant, prosperous and bustling urban centres on Earth.

The transformation of Shanghai over the past two decades has been truly remarkable. Global corporations have re-entered The Bund and with them thousands of Chinese entrepreneurs and millions of Chinese migrants seeking a better life and a piece of the substantial economic pie available. Hundreds upon thousands of Shanghainese along with migrants from inland China and their families have been lifted out of poverty through the economic miracle that has occurred throughout China’s most populous city and foremost economic centre.

Yet, it has come at cost. Development – at all costs – has been king in Shanghai as the local government and city planners have grand plans and visions for their city and its urban layout over the next 20 years. Thousands upon thousands of buildings, factories and homes have been uprooted for new structures. Hundreds of thousands have found themselves either homeless, displaced or jaded by inadequate compensation for loss of  business or home. But, Shanghai – at this point in time – is one place on Earth where truly opportunity does exist for all if they are plucky, lucky, cunning, confident, or wise enough to grab a hold of it.

This photo collection comes from my visit to Shanghai in April, 2004. I vividly remember being amazed at the sheer scale of the place, the buzz of the streets, the atmosphere of optimism as opportunity awaited at every corner, and the sheer ambition of the weird and wonderful architecture of the city – it was as if the city was making a statement to the world – yes, we’re brash, yes, we’re over-confident, yes, we’re here and yes, we’re going to make an impact. The world’s best architects were given a licence to treat the city as their personal playbox and the results have been outstanding. One thing I also remember, perhaps not as fondly, was the overpowering smell, taste and sight of concrete dust – you couldn’t help but breathe in the very foundation of the city’s progress.

Shanghai’s a great city with a fascinating, rich yet relatively young history and no doubt a grand, prosperous and exciting future ahead of her as the city’s best days may well be yet to come. Almost eight years since I was there, I can’t begin to imagine how much its changed and I’m dying to get back there in the near future.

And, without any further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, Shanghai.