Shanghai Nanjing Road East Extension

Revitalizing the Storied Pedestrian Journey to the Bund

Nanjing Road traces its origins back to 1851, making it one of Shanghai's earliest commercial streets following the city's opening to international trade. The original section was pedestrianized in 1999, transforming it into the renowned “Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street” ending at Henan Road, with the iconic landmarks of the Bund located just beyond. For more than a century, this storied commercial avenue has become known as the “No. 1 Commercial Avenue of China” – a vibrant hub for diverse businesses, including the four major Chinese department stores that established their flagship locations along its length. In 2019, two decades after the original pedestrian street opened, Shanghai decided to expand and upgrade this renowned commercial and tourist hub.

Snøhetta worked in collaboration with local partner East China Architecture Design and Research Institute (ECADI) to realize the innovative yet context-sensitive vision for Shanghai Nanjing Road East Extension. The project sees the pedestrianization of an additional 21,370 square meters along Nanjing Road, stretching the iconic 495-meter walkway to the historic Bund waterfront.

Designing for one of Shanghai's most populated and culturally significant public spaces, Snøhetta’s approach to the Nanjing Road East Extension honors the area’s legacy by highlighting the historical buildings along the street while strategically streamlining foot traffic and activating the spaces that connect to the main pedestrian thoroughfare. The design for Shanghai's Nanjing Road East Extension strikes a careful balance between people-focused mobility and a deep appreciation for the city's architectural and cultural heritage.

A Choreographed Pedestrian Experience

Snøhetta's design divides the 495-meter-long pedestrian street into three distinct sections, each curated with considered landscaping strategies and seamless utility integration. Every zone is tailored to optimize circulation, programming, and engagement with the surrounding context. A bespoke pavement system, varying in pattern and color, visually separates these zones, guiding pedestrian flow along the main street while also inviting exploration of extended pockets of activities in the side alleys and backyard spaces. This system strategically breaks down the linear, high-foot-traffic main road, enhancing the overall pedestrian experience and activating the various spaces along the extension.

Within the Fast zone, the pavement features a directional pattern that encourages efficient movement to and from the Bund. In contrast, the Shared zone pavement has a design that subtly encourages people to interact with the shops lining both sides and venture into the adjoining alleyways. Underfoot in the Slow zone, the pavement creates a space where visitors can stop, gather and relax.

Thoughtful Nods to Local Context

To evoke the original Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, Snøhetta has deliberately opted for a single, minimalist row of light poles positioned down the central axis. This layout frees up space on either side, allowing visitors to better appreciate the historic buildings flanking the street.

Designed for People and Everyday Life

Snøhetta places livability and public engagement at the heart of its Nanjing Road East Extension design. The project prioritizes using locally-sourced materials, modular paving systems to minimize waste, and thoughtful exterior lighting that enhances the legibility of heritage buildings while reducing light pollution. The pedestrianization also helps improve air quality and promotes active mobility.

Socially, the project creates a dynamic public realm that fosters community and allows the public to shape and inhabit the space. Well-considered urban furniture, greenery, and public plazas encourage residents and visitors to linger, connect, and experience the vibrant historic street while walking at their own pace.