Shanghai City

Every year, Shanghai loses some of its old fabric. More often than not, 2-3 storey carpet-dwellings are demolished to make way for 20-30 storey towers.

Residents in these areas are generally compensated and relocated. With small exceptions, the demolitions take place quietly, without protest, and the whole process is seen as a normal part of city renewal. "Shanghai City" is a subjective photo-documentary about demolition and transformation. I have deliberately omitted the name of the area where I photographed for more than a year as it is not relevant. The same images can be found in all corners of Shanghai and even in most Chinese cities. Amid the rubble, bulldozers and new construction sites, old tenants grow vegetables and recycle building materials, maintaining an eerie silence as they await relocation. Photographs of demolitions sit alongside wide shots of the urban landscape in a random, chaotic order, reflecting the reality of a city made up of contrasting patches.

"Shanghai City" depicts the atmosphere of a city in economic hyper-boom.

PHOTOS:

ALEXANDRU MUNTEAN