Edward Denison & Guang Yu Ren 
Building Shanghai 
The Story of China’s Gateway

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.

Table of Content

Introduction.

Chapter One: The Origins of Shaghai.

Chapter Two: Establishing and Legalishg the Foreign
Setttlements.

Chapter Three: Constructing Shanghai, 1843-1899.

Chapter Four: Becoming a City, 1900-1920.

Chapter Five: Rise and Fall, 1921-1941.

Chapter Six: Anti-Design.

Chapter Seven: The Giant Awakes.

Chapter Eight: Shanghai’s Future.

Notes and References.

Bibliography.

Photo Credits.

Statistics.

Index.

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.