In Pictures

In pictures: The changing face of Shanghai

While Shanghai has experienced an economic boom, many remain struggling with poverty.
Dave Tacon Last Modified: 08 Dec 2012 16:15

“Seen from the river, towering above their couchant guardian warships, the semi-skyscrapers of the Bund present, impressively, the façade of a great city. But it is only a façade. Behind them is a sordid and shabby mob of smaller buildings. Nowhere a fine avenue, a spacious park, an imposing central square. Nowhere anything civic at all.”  
- WH Auden and Christopher Isherwood (A Journey to War)

Few modern cities have experienced such profound transformation as Shanghai. At the time of the publication of A Journey to War, in 1939, 75 per cent of Shanghai's more than eight million residents lived in longtangs [lit "lane interiors"] - tiny laned houses based on English tenements.

Fifty years later, while war and revolution had banished the foreign powers who built the historic Bund, the majority of Shanghai's residents still lived in such penghuqu ["basic houses"].
 
In the 1990s, however, Deng Xiaoping's daring policies of economic reform brought a wave of change to the city, not seen since the days of international settlement.

Low-rise slums gave way to high-rise apartment blocks, while some of the world's tallest skyscrapers rose in Pudong, opposite the Bund, dominating the Shanghai skyline and signalling its return as an economic powerhouse - this time on Chinese terms.
 
Yet Shanghai remains a city of contrasts. Despite the extraordinary growth and achievements of the Chinese economy, a gulf still exists between Shanghai's richest and poorest residents.
 
Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
This area, little more than swamp and farmland two decades ago, has experienced rapid growth since the 1990s and is now considered China's commercial hub.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
An increasing number of Chinese are embracing consumer culture with seemingly unbridled enthusiasm as China's population becomes increasingly affluent.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Few modern cities have experienced such a profound transformation as Shanghai.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
An overpass lined with neon lights is the dominant feature near Sanmen metro station and its surrounding shopping malls.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Low-rise slums have given way to high-rise apartments.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Shangai remains a city of contrasts - not all the population enjoys urbane benefits, many keep struggling with crushing poverty.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Despite the difficulties, the value of the family is the pinnacle of society.


Dave Tacon/
Some of the world's tallest skyscrapers are in Pudong, opposite the Bund, dominating the Shanghai skyline.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Shanghai is regaining its reputation as one of the world's most extravagant cities. Number 88, playground of the city's "new rich", is one of its most decadent nightclubs.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
A jogger runs along the Bund, past the Pudong skyline at dusk, enjoying the magnificence of the skyscrapers.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Despite the transformation Shanghai has experienced, many of the city's residents live in "penghuqu" - basic houses.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
A gulf continues to exist between Shanghai's richest and poorest residents.


Dave Tacon/Al Jazeera
Not everyone can afford the high costs of basic services.



images:
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captions:
This area, little more than swamp and farmland two decades ago, has experienced rapid growth since the 1990s and is now considered China(***)s commercial hub. ;*;An increasing number of Chinese are embracing consumer culture with seemingly unbridled enthusiasm as China(***)s population becomes increasingly affluent. ;*;Few modern cities have experienced such a profound transformation as Shanghai.;*;An overpass lined with neon lights is the dominant feature near Sanmen metro station and its surrounding shopping malls.;*;Low-rise slums have given way to high-rise apartments. ;*;Shangai remains a city of contrasts - not all the population enjoys urbane benefits, many keep struggling with crushing poverty. ;*;Despite the difficulties, the value of the family is the pinnacle of society. ;*;Some of the world(***)s tallest skyscrapers are in Pudong, opposite the Bund, dominating the Shanghai skyline. ;*;Shanghai is regaining its reputation as one of the world(***)s most extravagant cities. Number 88, playground of the city(***)s "new rich", is one of its most decadent nightclubs.;*;A jogger runs along the Bund, past the Pudong skyline at dusk, enjoying the magnificence of the skyscrapers. ;*;Despite the transformation Shanghai has experienced, many of the city(***)s residents live in "penghuqu" - basic houses. ;*;A gulf continues to exist between Shanghai(***)s richest and poorest residents. ;*;Not everyone can afford the high costs of basic services. Daylife ID:
1352969365805
Photographer:
Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon;*;Dave Tacon
Image Source:
Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera ;*;Al Jazeera
Gallery Source:
Daylife
Daylife Raw Data:
Changing face on Shanghai http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805en-usAl Jazeerafeedback@daylife.com10Thu, 15 Nov 2012 08:49:26 GMTThu, 15 Nov 2012 09:51:34 GMT http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=00JP4e64480S3

View of carefully manicured garden feature from pedestrian overpass at Century Avenue in Pudong. This area, little more than swamp and farmland two decades ago, has experienced rapid growth since the 1990s and is now considered China's commercial hub.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=00JP4e64480S3Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

View of carefully manicured garden feature from pedestrian overpass at Century Avenue in Pudong. This area, little more than swamp and farmland two decades ago, has experienced rapid growth since the 1990s and is now considered China's commercial hub.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0cdC0jK65V9VA

A multilevel shopping mall in the Zhongshang Park precinct. An increasing number of Chinese are embracing consumer culture with seemingly unbridled enthusiasm as China's population becomes increasindly affluent.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0cdC0jK65V9VADave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

A multilevel shopping mall in the Zhongshang Park precinct. An increasing number of Chinese are embracing consumer culture with seemingly unbridled enthusiasm as China's population becomes increasindly affluent.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=01cl86R4za6v0

 Few modern cities have experienced such a  profound transformation as Shanghai.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=01cl86R4za6v0Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

 Few modern cities have experienced such a  profound transformation as Shanghai.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=026Pghvac3cAG

An overpass lined with neon lights is the dominant feature near Sanmen metro station and its surrounding shopping malls.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=026Pghvac3cAGDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

An overpass lined with neon lights is the dominant feature near Sanmen metro station and its surrounding shopping malls.

 http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=07UlgXG1763lE

Low-rise slums gave way to high rise apartments.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=07UlgXG1763lEDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Low-rise slums gave way to high rise apartments.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0aFi38q3DL40c

Yet Shangai remains a city of contrasts. Not all the population enjoy the same benefits. Many keep struggling with unfavorable situations.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0aFi38q3DL40cDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Yet Shangai remains a city of contrasts. Not all the population enjoy the same benefits. Many keep struggling with unfavorable situations.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=00YpcPL1yi4A7

 Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, the value of the family keeps being the pinnacle of society.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=00YpcPL1yi4A7Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

 Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, the value of the family keeps being the pinnacle of society.

_DTP3556_SH_07.10.11.jpghttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0aIdaTG2dP0x8_DTP3556_SH_07.10.11.jpgThu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0aIdaTG2dP0x8Dave TaconAl Jazeera Upload Images_DTP3556_SH_07.10.11.jpg_DTP3556_SH_07.10.11.jpg http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=03Nk5Lq6wW3u9

The world’s tallest skyscrapers rose in Pudong, opposite the Bund, dominating the Shanghai skyline. Many of the population are really proud of Chinese growth and progress.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=03Nk5Lq6wW3u9Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

The world’s tallest skyscrapers rose in Pudong, opposite the Bund, dominating the Shanghai skyline. Many of the population are really proud of Chinese growth and progress.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=06fZ1Nze5O4lC

Shanghai is regaining its reputation as one of the world's most decadent cities. Number 88, playground of Shanghai's new rich, is its most decadent nightclub.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=06fZ1Nze5O4lCDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Shanghai is regaining its reputation as one of the world's most decadent cities. Number 88, playground of Shanghai's new rich, is its most decadent nightclub.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=08DjaSLgnhb3d

A jogger runs along The Bund, past the Pudong skyline at dus, enjoying the magnificence of the skyscrapers.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=08DjaSLgnhb3dDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

A jogger runs along The Bund, past the Pudong skyline at dus, enjoying the magnificence of the skyscrapers.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=06LC8Ar4Zr821

Despite the big transformation  Shanghai has experienced, the majority of Shanghai's residents  lives in penghuqu (basic houses).

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=06LC8Ar4Zr821Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Despite the big transformation  Shanghai has experienced, the majority of Shanghai's residents  lives in penghuqu (basic houses).

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=060CegX6kS6PN

A gulf  exists between Shanghai's richest and poorest residents.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=060CegX6kS6PNDave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

A gulf  exists between Shanghai's richest and poorest residents.

http://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0dDeftueEI4z3

Poor villages cannot afford good services, and poor households cannot afford the high costs of basic services. This is the other face of Chinese progress.

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMThttp://aljazeera.smartgalleries.net/gallery/1352969365805?image_id=0dDeftueEI4z3Dave TaconAl Jazeera Al Jazeera Upload Images

Poor villages cannot afford good services, and poor households cannot afford the high costs of basic services. This is the other face of Chinese progress.



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