Heritage Conservation and Urban Regeneration: New Challenges in Industrial Context along the East Bund of Shanghai

The concept of urban regeneration refers to a process from a functional, economic, social and environmental point of view. These arguments are clearly susceptible to various interpretations; the challenge proposed in this thesis is to link and develop them by referring to the study and analysis of the industrial heritage presented by Shanghai. Industrial heritage includes remains that are part of industrial culture and have historical, social, architectural, scientific or technological value. In China conservation and reuse of industrial heritage has attracted unprecedented attention over the recent years, and Shanghai is undoubtedly the most remarkable protagonist. In particular, the East Bund, e.g. the Yangshupu Industrial area on the north bank of Huangpu River, has witnessed the history of the modern industrial development in Shanghai and the deep historical and cultural accumulation of this place represents a precious heritage of the city. Today, thanks to the entrance of Shanghai in the post-industrial era and the promotion of urban renewal, the global significance of this industrial belt together with its remains are beginning to be rediscovered and used. However many difficulties still exist: Huangpu riverside landscape value is ignored, the historical, practical and social value of the buildings are not fully utilized, traffic is not well organized and living conditions are insufficient. Moreover, the economic potentiality of the lot is difficult to evaluate due to the decline of the surrounding industry. Therefore, through an urban regeneration project, the research aims to find a meeting point between the context characterized by the presence of industries with a certain cultural value, and the community developed around them. This result is strongly influenced by the study of the evolution of the specific area. It forms the body of the elaborate, which is then subdivided into different chapters that culminate with the description of the design phase. The analysis starts, more generally, from the industrial heritage offered by the city of Shanghai, also passing through the regulations that distinguish it and some examples of recovery and conservation of industrial buildings. Subsequently, the attention is focused directly on the industrial district of Yangshupu. It is important to clarify its development through several aspects, starting from the historical one. Above all, this work has become necessary and fundamental to arrive at the identification of the problems and shortcomings that currently characterize this area. In fact, they represent the starting point of the following redevelopment-planning phase of a specific block along the bank of the river. Finally, the latter assumes a key role becoming a point of reference among the population. Indeed, this approach is supported by several analyzes that evaluate how were the previous relations between people and industrial buildings, how spaces have been thought, how connections have been created and how landscape has influenced the surrounding; trying to improve the current situation with a new intervention. The outcome results can be appropriate and useful for further analysis regarding the industrial heritage of Shanghai post-industrial era. Key Words: Industrial Heritage, Urban Regeneration, Yangshupu Industrial Belt, Waterfront Industrial Area, Community Integration.