Shanghai Leaders Hope to Redevelop North Bund

Downtown Shanghai’s Hongkou District is in a state of transition as the North Bund area undergoes an urban redevelopment makeover.

The hope for the North Bund is to transform it into a “new urban magnetic pole,” according to Hongkou’s CPC chief Li Qian, City News Service reported. North Bund would purportedly become a business, culture and community hub on the Shanghai waterfront, mixing local historical and modern landmarks.

“This is not just about connecting buildings or creating green spaces,” Li said. “It’s about intertwining production, life, and ecology into a thriving ecosystem. Every inch of this space is designed to bring vitality to its people and the city.”

The area already has an extensive network of skywalks and green corridors that connect key buildings and public spaces for pedestrians. They can be found at major developments like the AIA Financial Center.

“They not only link office spaces and cultural venues but also foster social interaction and cultural exchange,” Ouyang Lilian, chairman of the AIA Financial Center, said of the development, according to City News Service. “It’s a microcosm of what Shanghai aspires to be — a place where work, culture, and community thrive together.”

The skywalks lead to the AIA Grand Theatre, which opened in 2023. Officials hope to have 4.5 kilometers of skywalks, complete with greenery and public art, throughout the North Bund by 2030.

North Bund’s history can be traced back to 1845 when the British East India Company set up the first barge dock after the city of Shanghai opened its port. Noted American figures like Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin eventually arrived through the port.

Today, the port is home to the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, which was opened in 2008 and now features an open, accessible riverside promenade. There, tourists and locals can see the famous skyline of Lujiazui and the Bund.

Revitalization and preservation of historic buildings will be a key part of North Bund’s revamp. For example, the former Henry Lester Institute of Technical Education, founded in 1934, has been transformed into the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai, a nonprofit research institute.

“The key is to ‘use to preserve,’” Su Xinbao, deputy general manager and chief architect at the East China Architectural Design Institute, told City News Service. “Buildings should not just be museum pieces but [should be] integrated into today’s urban life. Successful regeneration is about protecting the old while updating it for modern use.”

“Historical buildings offer more emotional value than new ones. The space connects us to the past while serving present needs,” Su said.

But buildings are just one piece of the puzzle in changing the North Bund neighborhood.

“This is about more than buildings,” Li said. “It’s about creating a space where people can connect with each other and with the city itself. Whether it’s walking along the river, attending a cultural event, or working in a state-of-the-art office, the North Bund offers an unparalleled urban experience.”

“The North Bund will not just be a business hub,” Ouyang said. “It will be a cultural and social magnet that defines the next chapter of Shanghai’s story.”

— Chris Malone Méndez