Controlling Growth In Shanghai

The population is growing in Shanghai, and the city is running out of space. But before it's too late, the city is crafting plans to help it achieve sustainable growth.

1 minute read

June 1, 2007, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Shanghai has grown faster than almost any other global city in the past 15 years."

"The population increased from 13.5 million to 21.5 million as migrant labourers flooded in from the surrounding countryside, and the standard of living rose even faster, with per capita income now at $7,000, the highest in China."

"The physical size of the city increased sixfold, from just 100 sq km to 680 sq km, as people sought more space and the city government rushed to develop nearby areas."

"After a decade of rapid development, there is very little land left to build on in the central city."

"So Shanghai's planners want to limit population growth in the centre by building satellite towns in the outskirts."

Sunday, May 27, 2007 in BBC

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