Accessibility links

Shanghai Builds for the Future China is now undergoing one of the most massive urbanization in human history, and nowhere is that more evident than in cosmopolitan Shanghai. The city's population is now almost 18 million, and is forecast to rise to 25 million by 2020. This series looks at how the city is preparing for its future.
thumbnail
Special Series

Shanghai Builds for the Future

A look at how Shanghai is preparing for its future.

Shanghai Urban Development: The Future Is Now

In the first of a weeklong series on urban development in Shanghai, we look at the dramatically changing cityscape. Cranes erect skyscrapers at a dizzying rate, while Shanghai's center spreads to surrounding land.

Shanghai Urban Development: The Future Is Now

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6600367/6600874" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

China Gets Its Own Slice of English Countryside

Shanghai's planners are resettling 500,000 people in new suburban towns, each built in a foreign style. In the second report on Shanghai's development, we visit Thames Town, which brings an English country town to China.

China Gets Its Own Slice of English Countryside

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6608596/6611418" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Evictions Reflect Dark Side of Shanghai Growth

As Shanghai undergoes a radical facelift, tens of thousands of residents are forcibly displaced from their homes each year. Many say real-estate developers are conspiring with officials to seize property for little or no compensation.

Evictions Reflect Dark Side of Shanghai Growth

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6614046/6614125" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

A Cinematic Ode to Shanghai's Vanishing World

Shanghai has a population of almost 18 million, but only 632 protected historic sites. Its distinctive traditional architecture is rapidly disappearing, and along with it, a way of life. A local filmmaker has produced an ode to these vanishing neighborhoods.

A Cinematic Ode to Shanghai's Vanishing World

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6616570/6621926" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Dream World to Cosmopolis: Authors' Shanghai

Shanghai is changing at breakneck speed. That transformation, along with the hope, fear, greed and nostalgia that it engenders, is the stuff of novels. Three authors talk about the inspiration that China's most exciting city provides them.

Dream World to Cosmopolis: Authors' Shanghai

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6626147/6626540" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Browse the section archive or