Liveable streets in Shanghai: Definition, characteristics and design

This monograph focuses on the concept of ‘liveable streets’ in China, which has been overlooked in the existing literature. This research has firstly developed an analytical framework with a hierarchy of liveability qualities, factors, and specific indicators for Shanghai. The framework was initially informed by the literature and then refined through questionnaires and interviews with urban development professionals in China (n = 107). Interviews with residents (n = 242) on residential streets were also conducted. The research applied and tested the framework’s usefulness in practice on fifteen selected street segments. Some street segments are rooted in the Chinese tradition, while others showcase strong international influences. According to their historical-morphological characteristics, the selected streets are categorised as S, M, L, XL, and XXL streets. Each category includes three parallel street segments that carry different volumes of vehicular traffic. The study reveals many physical and functional characteristics of streets that are conducive to vibrant social life, particularly manifested in the S and M streets in Shanghai. The analytical framework developed through this research informs a localised definition of liveable streets. Among six definitory liveability qualities, ‘social interaction’ and ‘sense of belonging’, reinforced by ‘local economic activities’ are specific to Shanghai and distinct from the Western context. The three other qualities include a ‘local humanised environment’, ‘facilities and mixed-uses’, and ‘safety’, which are also vital for liveable streets in Chinese cities. This research sheds light on contextualising liveability qualities and informs the design and planning of liveable streets in China.