Research. Rise And Fall Of Metro - Modern Zhabei City (1900-1949)

This dissertation centers on the development of urbanization of Zhabei region during the first half of twentieth century. Before the year 1900, Zhabei, the rustic region to the north of Wusong river, was filled with rivers and creeks. Subsequent to the open of Shanghai port, this traditional region initialized its gradual urbanization.Stimulated by the expansion of concessions, Zhabei gentry-merchants launched municipal constructions in the year 1900, which marked as the milestone of the urbanization of this region. Before the"January 28th"event in 1932, Zhabei had become the land traffic hinge of Shanghai ,"the base camp of Chinese-area manufactories"and the commercial center of northern Shanghai. As a consequence of the commercial and industrial development, Zhabei region was densely populated and the resident structure as well as people's family ideology and commodity awareness were greatly changed. Working class became main hierarchy, and they showed their power in strikes.The"January 28th"event and the subsequent"August 13th"event, which devastated the achievements of urbanization, were nightmares of Zhabei region. After the war, refugees constructed large quantities of shacks. Wars and shacks hindered commerce and education, with the hollow-oriented Zhabei as a result. The image of Zhabei region changed from model of Chinese area to"shack territory".The history of urbanization of Zhabei region revealed that the prosperity of this area rested on three factors, i.e., peaceful environment, advantageous location and the interaction between nation and the social forces such as the gentry-merchants. Lack of these factors will lead to decadence.