Expo Village Shanghai

44 hectares of transformation: A former industrial brownfield is turned into a dense, vibrant urban district for EXPO 2010 and beyond

3½ years of planning and construction: the new urban quarter in the heart of Shanghai was realised at remarkable speed

16 hectares of parkland: continuous green corridors connect the riverfront, the district and the wider urban fabric

The planning area in the northeast of Pudong had been industrialized for decades and was largely disconnected from everyday urban life. The international competition in 2006 was won by the vision to transform this location into an urban, future‑oriented district with a high quality of stay. Against this background, a multilayered program was developed, comprising hotel and residential buildings as well as retail, cultural, and leisure facilities. Modular concepts allow for residential units ranging from 30 to 250 square metres.

The planning area in the northeast of Pudong had been industrialized for decades and was largely disconnected from everyday urban life. The international competition in 2006 was won by the vision to transform this location into an urban, future‑oriented district with a high quality of stay. Against this background, a multilayered program was developed, comprising hotel and residential buildings as well as retail, cultural, and leisure facilities. Modular concepts allow for residential units ranging from 30 to 250 square metres.

The particular location on the Huangpu River and the heterogeneous surroundings called for an urban structure that creates order, establishes identity, and remains flexible. The guiding idea was based on further developing Shanghai’s characteristic Li Long typology in combination with the solid, sculptural buildings typical of major European cities. The stone façade openings contribute to the district’s longevity and introduce calm and permanence within Shanghai’s predominantly glazed cityscape.

A key asset of the district is the interconnection of its open spaces. Approximately 16 hectares of park landscapes link the area to the Huangpu riverbank and create a continuous system of green corridors, squares, and pathways. Selected historic buildings have been integrated and set focal points within the open‑space structure. This results in an interplay of urban density and landscape openness that defines the character of the new quarter.

Although the district was originally developed for EXPO staff, its long‑term evolution into a regular urban neighbourhood was part of the fundamental concept. Flexible structural grids, adaptable floor plans, and prefabricated façade elements enable long‑term repurposing and therefore its later commercial use.

Project

EXPO Village

GFA

550.000 m²

Completion

2009