Shaping Lujiazui: The Formation and Building of the CBD in Pudong, Shanghai

Acknowledging the globalization of Chinese cities, this paper studies its influence on the formation of a newly-built Central Business District in China. Used as a case study, the Lujiazui Financial District of Shanghai Pudong is a commendable achievement in urban development during the past 19 years. This paper reviews the background to the planning of Lujjiazui and comments on the international design competition that exhibited different planning approaches to the district. By reviewing the various plans and comparing them with the adopted project by the local institute, the authors reveal the reasons for the way Lujiazui was planned and built and discover a new type of Chinese city which was shaped by both global and market forces.