Halcrow is currently seeing a master plan it produced back in 2003 come to life as part of a regeneration programme now taking place in the historical heart of the city of Shanghai – the Bund commercial business district.

China’s unprecedented urbanisation and city expansion; its phenomenal economic growth and determination to make its cities world-class are placing new and urgent demands on infrastructure. Efforts to meet these demands are well underway in Shanghai, which this year plays host to the 2010 World Expo, to be attended by an estimated 70 to 100 million visitors from over 190 countries between May and October.

In 2003, Halcrow was joint winner of a planning design competition launched by the Local Government of Huangpu District to regenerate the Bund. Overlooking the Huangpu River, the Bund is a dramatic waterfront promenade lined with imposing historic buildings. Despite its rich history, by 2000 much of the area had been reduced to a museum piece with little internal activity, under threat from a rival central business district in Lujiazui across the river in Pudong. The mid-block buildings within the 103 hectare site were in poor repair. The famous promenade was severed by a heavily trafficked highway, and a lack of quality housing and entertainment venues meant the area became uninviting after office hours.

The Halcrow study used a comparison with the older City of London financial centre and newer London Docklands enterprise zone to address the economic rivalry between the two financial districts. The study showed how the former was able to expand without damaging its historic character and environment.

The team, led by project director Asad Shaheed with Tim Catchpole and Selma Hooley, conducted evaluations of existing land usage and of building form, quality and occupancy. Traffic movements were also analysed to identify a capacity threshold within which additional floor space could be provided.

Halcrow’s proposals for regeneration included:   

-land use proposals for new office space, housing and new hospitality venues

-a package of physical improvements to relevant sites

-a traffic strategy to underground the through movement of cars and provide consolidated parking

-a pedestrian strategy to allow tourists, shoppers, residents and office workers to enjoy this iconic site on foot through a traffic free and landscaped pedestrian environment     

As a result of many of the ideas generated by Halcrow’s masterplan, the Bund is now experiencing a dramatic transformation. For example, the once heavily congested riverside road has been developed and implemented by the district authority and in conjunction with Expo 2010 for a more people friendly solution.

Asad said: “Halcrow is exceptionally honoured to have been a part of this highly significant regeneration effort in one of the world’s leading cities. It is particularly satisfying to see elements of our master plan now taking shape.”