An architectural view of one of the world's most dynamic and exciting cities. Shanghai's explosive development since the early 1990s has provided students and fans of architecture with myriad examples of superlatives: from the world's tallest buildings to its longest bridges. As timely as it is comprehensive this collection of essays confronts the broader concerns of Shanghai's role as a harbinger of China's future and a global testing ground. Essays cover the socio-political, cultural, and historic aspects of the city as well as offer more pointed topical analyses of urban design, preservation and the developments of the city's waterfronts. Throughout the book, color photographs and illustrations examine thirty ongoing and completed projects. The resulting overview presents a vibrant city of tension and contradiction, one that both mirrors and drives China's struggle to break free from economic constraints while adhering to its political ideals