After months of intensive work, INBO has been selected as one of the winners for the master planning of Shanghai’s middle-North development! As the outcome of an International bidding late 2024, INBO was selected to contribute to the masterplan development for an area of 24km2 on both sides of the Huangpu river in the north of Shanghai, following the winning of detailed planning for a 0.8km2 high-tech core area on the waterfront in Shanghai’s Yangpu district.

The middle-north development in both Yangpu and Pudong district is considered to be a key development in the 14th Five-Year plan of Shanghai’s ‘wide river, narrow river’ vision. This bidding stage is the first round to select the qualified experienced teams in industry programming, strategic planning & urban design.

INBO proposed a similar approach as the HTCE for the development of the northern Huangpu riverbanks. With the slogan ‘exiting values, adding new impulses’ INBO emphasizes the importance of enhancing already existing qualities in the area, including leading companies, instead of considering the area as a ‘tabula rasa’. When considering that most of these companies are in the process of transition towards future industries, the northern banks could become the demonstration zone for the transformation of old industries into a technology-led R&D waterfront.

Yangpu district is located in the north-east of Shanghai, covering a total land area of 60.61km2 and stretching over 15.5km of river coastline. The south wing, north-east of the Honkou stretch of North Bund, is currently undergoing rapid development. This area targets R&D headquarters of China’s established tech giants such as Bilibili and Meituan, accompanied by the Yangpu Binjiang innovation center and other major industrial projects. The ambition is to create a world-class hub for innovation with a charming waterfront, where history and future blend, home to Shanghai style communities and outstanding talents.

A little bit more north, Yangpu district plans to develop another high-tech core area, identified as the ‘middle-north’ waterfront. The approximately one square kilometer area is the home of the Shanghai Electric Group and is expected to be the first to be developed in the northern belt. The area has a long history, clearly visible in the rich variety of existing buildings and landscape. The Huangpu river and its Qiujiang river branch add unique qualities and potential to the site.

Looking at the bigger picture, INBO recognized the unique condition of having a big leading company, a leading educational institution and a well-functioning manufacturing base in the area. Therefore INBO proposed to integrate the whole area into one integrated full industry chain high-tech zone to distinguish the middle-north core from the southern one.

Similar to the successful case with Philips, here the Shanghai Electric Group plays a central role as accelerator for the research and development of future technologies, such as smart energy, smart energy storage, digital transformation and intelligent manufacturing. Combining this with a close on-site collaboration with the Shanghai University for Science and Technology and a highly connected production base, there is a solid foundation to potentially grow into one of the most powerful innovation business ecosystems for future technologies in the world.

INBO’s approach for the spatial planning of this project is radically different from the common practice of ‘clean sheet’ developments. Instead of only keeping the appointed monuments, INBO pushed to protect as many existing buildings as possible and proposed a dynamic regeneration strategy. The heart of the development, the industry ‘Brain-Hub’ with key public and shared functions, is envisioned as a benchmark for urban renewal, with a recognizable unique identity that radiates an industrial atmosphere.

The proposed mixed-use development entails a total of roughly 800,000 square meters with residential, educational, r&d, office, retail, sports, cultural and other supporting programs. East-west green zones connect all programs with the publicly accessible Huangpu riverfront. Big efforts to optimize the road system successfully led to the reduction of roads and a barrier-free public space in the heart of the district. A welcoming central event plaza supports the Brain-Hub strategy and connects the core area with the TOD development on the west side.

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