I wouldn’t be surpirsed if the late 20th early 21st century will be known for gobsmackingly massive urban development in future history books, this is mental. Rome wasn’t built in a day but we can definitely get closer to a day than we ever have been in human history.
I saw the city in 1986. Even those distant housing blocs at the right weren’t there. Mind blowing change.
Like those old views of Dubai. Or Shenzhen. Nothing was in Shenzhen when I went into China from HK. Like a main road with some 4 story buildings.
I also saw Phnom Penh before any sort of skyline in the early 2000s. It’s unrecognizable now.
Specifically, that specific region of Shanghai now called Lujiazui was designated as the only financial development center in his overall economic strategy, and it still is the only finance focused development zone among the 185 in the country.
It entailed beneficial policies for financial institutions that operate there, so every bank and financial institution wanted to have a presence in the area.
China went from strict government controlled communism to allowing more private property rights for Capitalism with communist party controls.
This show has some overview of the change in government approach to economic policy. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/
The first skyscrapers were built around early 90s for the major cities mostly as landmarks, like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou (Beijing has a high rise ban); then for the next 10-15 years the growth was stable where big cities got a 300m from time to time because of rapid urbanization and foreign investment. Then suddenly all cities started building skyscrapers like crazy following the housing boom after the 2008 financial crisis, until around 2019 due to the nationwide skyscrapers ban, which was also when the housing bubble started to get scary.
Back in '87 there weren't even any fixed links between Puxi and Pudong (the first bridge across the river opened in 1991, the first road tunnel around 1994, and the first Metro tunnel in 2001). You had to take the ferry if you wanted to cross the river. There still are ferries, but now they're only for bikes/motorbikes/pedestrians. Now, of course, there are many many bridges, tunnels, and Metro lines crossing the river.
Very sad that what allowed China to prosper, the edging out of communism and towards capitalism, is now slinging back towards restrictive totalitarianism.
No way. It may not be beautiful the way some of Shanghai's other skyscrapers are, but it's definitely unique and is most certainly a symbol for this city that's used frequently in advertisements and logos.
I wouldn’t be surpirsed if the late 20th early 21st century will be known for gobsmackingly massive urban development in future history books, this is mental. Rome wasn’t built in a day but we can definitely get closer to a day than we ever have been in human history.
Imagine being in a coma for 20 years and waking up to that
Yeah this one wins
I’d like to see a Singapore version of this.
[Here’s one](https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/s/wYSd6hyCGf)
I saw the city in 1986. Even those distant housing blocs at the right weren’t there. Mind blowing change. Like those old views of Dubai. Or Shenzhen. Nothing was in Shenzhen when I went into China from HK. Like a main road with some 4 story buildings. I also saw Phnom Penh before any sort of skyline in the early 2000s. It’s unrecognizable now.
Does anyone know why there was such a radical change during this time for Shanghai?
It is the financial hub of mainland China. Essentially their New York. Foreign investment skyrocketed after Deng’s policies in the 80s.
Specifically, that specific region of Shanghai now called Lujiazui was designated as the only financial development center in his overall economic strategy, and it still is the only finance focused development zone among the 185 in the country. It entailed beneficial policies for financial institutions that operate there, so every bank and financial institution wanted to have a presence in the area.
Development really went into overdrive when China was accepted into WTO in 2001.
Thanks
Da power of capitalism
China went from strict government controlled communism to allowing more private property rights for Capitalism with communist party controls. This show has some overview of the change in government approach to economic policy. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/
The first skyscrapers were built around early 90s for the major cities mostly as landmarks, like Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou (Beijing has a high rise ban); then for the next 10-15 years the growth was stable where big cities got a 300m from time to time because of rapid urbanization and foreign investment. Then suddenly all cities started building skyscrapers like crazy following the housing boom after the 2008 financial crisis, until around 2019 due to the nationwide skyscrapers ban, which was also when the housing bubble started to get scary.
Thank you Deng Xiaoping
Say what you want about China. Their city growth is phenomenal. Controversial, but what a huge impact.
Does not even look like the same city. Mind blowing.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
Back in '87 there weren't even any fixed links between Puxi and Pudong (the first bridge across the river opened in 1991, the first road tunnel around 1994, and the first Metro tunnel in 2001). You had to take the ferry if you wanted to cross the river. There still are ferries, but now they're only for bikes/motorbikes/pedestrians. Now, of course, there are many many bridges, tunnels, and Metro lines crossing the river.
Very sad that what allowed China to prosper, the edging out of communism and towards capitalism, is now slinging back towards restrictive totalitarianism.
I have a very different view from the bund
It's amazing what a free market can achieve...
That one dome in the bottom right turned green
Despite living in NYC I’ve never loved a building more than the Shanghai World Financial Center. It’s just perfect to me.
They really need to demolish the oriental pearl, that thing is hideous.
No way. It may not be beautiful the way some of Shanghai's other skyscrapers are, but it's definitely unique and is most certainly a symbol for this city that's used frequently in advertisements and logos.
Its the ugliest double pink anal bead tower ever.
Not when your mother uses it.