The Changes Of "Garden Bridge" And Municipal Construction In Concession (1843-1908)

The Garden Bridge which stationed outside the Bund for one century was moved to shipyard to be mended on April 6, 2008. It has aroused the concern of all sectors of society. As an important city landmark in Shanghai, the Garden Bridge combines history, culture, human landscape and transport functions in one. It is the only bridge building of the Bund 27 historic preservation architecture. I will trace the Garden Bridge's history in this article, trying to explore the cultural connotations and city characteristics from Garden Bridge's historical changes ; study what municipal Council, foreign company, Chinese have done for the municipal construction.This article is divided into three chapters, pulsing a preface and conclusion.Chapter I: Study the background of Wales Bridge's Construction, as well as many responses which result from the bridge charge question. Focused on analyzing the political, economic, and social factors which caused the change from ferry to bridge, reflect the historical inevitability of Wales Bridge's construction. Explore the Chinese people's reaction to the policy of bridge charge question, manifest the different value between China and West. Elaborate the course of negotiations for foreigners free of charge, which shows the inequality between foreigner and Chinese.Chapter II: Describe the process of Wales Bridge change into the Garden Bridge , portray municipal council,foreign company's different performance in the course. Because of erosion, there were some security problems in Wales Bridge. The municipal council safeguard bridge security and urged the bridge company to repair Wales Bridge,afterward established free ferry. For consistent with Bund's overall design and protect the pedestrian's safety, the municipal council gave up continuing to use the iron bridge, but builted Garden Bridge. The bridge company's performance was actually widely divergent with the municipal council. The bridge company's trustees paid attention to self-interest. They were not warm-hearted to the bridge's maintenance and transformation. This chapter is to demonstrate the municipal council and the bridge company's different performance in municipal construction and maintenance. Analyze their standpoint of participation in the municipal construction, which is to pursue selfish interest or safeguard public interest.Chapter III: Analyze the opportunity of Steel Garden Bridge's construction and the role of Municipal Council and the Chinese played in construction of the bridge. The plan of updating woody Garden Bridge was advanced early, but became reality until the emergence of tramcar in the early 20th century. In the process of construction, the Municipal Council invited public bidding, resolved disputes, controlled the quality of project. These actions assured the construction in an orderly manner. The Chinese actively involved in many specific job such as constructing bridge foundation, laying bridge deck, driving rivets and so on. This chapter is to analyze the performance of municipal council and Chinese people in the municipal construction.