Development of "the West District" and the Modern Era in Shanghai
Zhou Wu
2007
Citations
0
Citations
Journal
Journal of Shanghai Normal University
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: The West District of Shanghai French Concession, developed after the Treaty of Shanghai French Concession Extension in 1914, became the international community of Chinese foreign rich inhabitants, with foreign-style rooms gardens becoming a unique architectural scene in China and rare in the world.
Abstract
The west district of Shanghai French Concession was the latest district of foreign settlements in Shanghai.Its large-scale development started after the Treaty of Shanghai French Concession Extension was issued in 1914.At that time,Shanghai happened to be entering a so called "Modern Era".The process of Shanghai becoming modern and internationalized,was,of course,one of rapid development of its industry and commerce and the sudden increase reallocation of social wealth.Along with this process,a new polite society and a middle class which was larger than the high society were quickly formed and expanded rapidly.This group of people urged and dominated the new consumption revolution in Shanghai.And its token of housing was that a huge number of luxury apartments and foreign-style rooms gardens were built one after another.The location and exploitation of the west district corresponded to consumption demands and trends of the newly rich hierarchy,therefore,becoming the international community of Chinese foreign rich inhabitants.If this district was named after "Paradise of the Wealthy",it was worthy of the title.As historical architectural remains of the modern times,nowadays foreign-style rooms gardens of the west district turn into an architectural scene which is unique in China and rare in the world.