Foster + Partners Wins Masterplan Project in Shanghai’s Putuo District

Shanghai, China - July 9, 2025 – Foster + Partners has been named the winner of an international competition to design a masterplan in the heart of Shanghai’s Putuo District. Spanning 3.2 square kilometres, the comprehensive development reimagines the urban landscape surrounding Shanghai West Railway Station, enhances the cultural heritage of the historic Zhenru Temple area, and breathes life into a previously underutilised central zone.

The ambitious masterplan is structured around two pedestrian-oriented green corridors, Peach Tree Canal and Commercial Avenue, which link the key nodes of the district with new public amenities, improved connectivity, and enriched community infrastructure.

Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, commented: “We are delighted to have been chosen for this transformative urban redevelopment project. Our holistic masterplan creates a vibrant pedestrian loop that links together Shanghai West Railway Station, the historic Zhenru Temple, and the new heart. This will completely redefine the experience of the district and make a major contribution to the city.”

A New Gateway to the City

The proposal introduces a welcoming new gateway into Putuo District, focused around a renewed urban experience at Shanghai West Railway Station. This includes a landscaped public park, an expansive plaza with integrated seating, and a raised pedestrian walkway providing seamless access to adjacent neighbourhoods. The plan also features a multi-modal transportation hub, streamlining connections between rail, metro, and pedestrian routes. Subterranean passages will connect the station to Peach Tree Canal and Commercial Avenue, ensuring ease of movement across the masterplan.

Green Corridors and Community Focus

Lining both Peach Tree Canal and Commercial Avenue will be newly planted peach blossom trees, reinforcing the looped pedestrian route while bringing seasonal colour and vibrancy to the area. These corridors will host new community centres, gathering spaces, and civic amenities. The canal itself will be redefined with the removal of edge barriers, improving views and fostering greater interaction with the water.

Reinforcing Cultural Heritage and Creating a New Urban Core

A key element of the scheme is the enhancement of Zhenru Temple’s historic axis. New cultural and retail buildings will frame the temple’s surroundings, while upgraded shopfronts and pocket parks enliven the streetscape. Just nearby, a vast 234,000 square metre site will become the district’s new urban core. It will feature a dynamic mix of cultural venues, residential units, office spaces, sports facilities, and retail. A standout mixed-use tower will serve as a landmark centerpiece, complemented by an extended green landscape connecting to Zhenru Park via an elevated treetop walkway. This pathway allows for uninterrupted, safe pedestrian movement above the roadways and ties together the various zones within the development.

The new centre is envisioned as a vibrant 24-hour district, attracting both residents and visitors with its rich mix of uses and activated public spaces.

Sustainability at the Forefront

Sustainability plays a central role in the masterplan. Key environmental strategies include rooftop rainwater harvesting, integrated photovoltaic panels, and increased urban greening to mitigate heat and improve biodiversity.

Martin Castle, Senior Partner at Foster + Partners, noted: “Our interventions will redefine the arrival experience and provide integrated transport connections, while creating a new destination within the city with transformative public spaces and amenities..”

Marilu Sicoli, also a Senior Partner at the firm, added: “We are working with the site’s existing assets – enhancing the canal network, extending green areas, and improving connections to important cultural landmarks.”

The winning proposal by Foster + Partners represents a forward-thinking vision for urban regeneration, aiming to balance modern infrastructure with cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and community vitality, firmly aligning with Shanghai’s broader citywide ambitions.