7/7/2023 0 Comments Factory town chinaThe design of Thames Town has remained largely faithful to English influence – even if there’s randomness to the application. There were also discussions regarding construction of a new shopping mall in Songjiang to rival some of the largest in the world. Retail would be supported by faux-English shops while a push was made to lure grocers such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s.ĭevelopers also wanted a waxwork exhibition, although plans with Madame Tussauds never got past the discussion phase. A medical complex would lead research in medicine and train new doctors. Industry would be supported by proposed high-tech factories. Nine universities were planned for the English-themed town, for an expected 10,000 students and staff. It showcases landmarks from all over the United Kingdom in a sometimes odd proximity to one another. Thames Town, a representation of British architectural civilisation, has since integrated itself into Songjiang, rejuvenating this ancient land with its modernity and vitality.”Ĭompleted in 2006, Thames Town is an amalgamation of British culture and history across one square kilometer (slightly less than half of a square mile). Shanghai Henghe’s literature boasted: “ Culture creates value. The real estate company wasted no time effusing praise for the project. But the Shanghai Planning Commission had big plans, and Mackay was up to the task. When project master planner and Briton Tony Mackay first visited Songjiang in 2001, he discovered the area was farmland, sparsely populated featuring more ducks than people. Sales and marketing would be handled by Shanghai Henghe Real Estate. In the case of Thames Town, WS Atkins won the bid for design while Shanghai Songjiang New City Construction was enlisted for the build. Now a member of the state council, Ju planned for nine locations each featuring a different international theme:Īn international design competition was held to win the design contracts. The plan was the brainchild of Shanghai’s former Communist Party Secretary Huang Ju, and thus had strong political backing. The initiative was established by the Shanghai Planning Commission in 2001 as part of a policy to decentralize and shift populations away from the congested city center. Part of China’s “ One City, Nine Towns” initiative, it was built from scratch in just over three years at a cost of about ¥2 billion ($330m/£197m/€238m). On display: Architecture in classic British themes featuring cobblestone streets, Victorian terraces, and red telephone booths. Thames Town is the English name for a model city constructed in the Songjiang District of China, 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Shanghai. ![]() The concept had noble intentions, but things did not go as planned. ![]() The borough known as Thames Town was part of a 2001 initiative to move millions from Shanghai’s city center into nine international suburbs. It’s not quite right, much like the rest of the town. Taste authentic British style small town. The only people you see are the occasional wedding party taking photographs. A row of Tudor homes are just around the corner from a string of pubs and shops. You’re not far from Shanghai, yet the spire of the Victorian revival church in front of you casts its shadow across a medieval town square.
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