Shanghai: An Chronicle of a Modern Metropolis

Author: Xiong Yuezhi
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: In the world of cities, Shanghai's personality is also distinct. She shares similarities with cities like London, Paris, and New York in terms of trade functions, entertainment functions, and immigrant populations; she also shares similarities with cities like Calcutta, Mumbai, and Hong Kong in terms of Western influence, yet she is very different. Unlike London and Paris, she did not evolve from a traditional central city into a modern metropolis. Unlike New York and Los Angeles, she was not formed as an immigrant city under complete sovereignty. She is also different from Calcutta, Mumbai, and Hong Kong, as she was not entirely developed from a barren wasteland under the control of colonialists. The path of modern Shanghai is unique. Since the reform and opening-up, Shanghai's development model has also been unique. The development and opening-up of Pudong, with both Pudong and Puxi taking off together, major adjustments in the economic structure, production layout, industrial structure, urban landscape, large-scale relocation of millions of residents, millions of workers undergoing job transitions, and massive population mobility—all were unprecedented and well-organized.
There are already abundant works on the city of Shanghai, including extensive volumes such as A Comprehensive History of Shanghai and A Comprehensive Gazetteer of Shanghai, as well as light-hearted anecdotes and legends, practical manuals and guides, and beautifully printed picture books, photo albums, postcards, and monthly calendars. However, as scholars who have long studied the history of Shanghai, from the perspective of social needs and academic research, we feel that Shanghai still needs a knowledge-based reading material that is factually accurate, concisely written, and appropriately sized, combining scientific rigor, readability, and practicality. It can serve as both a historical reference and a teaching tool.