Inside and Outside the Boundary: Rethinking the Demolition of the City Wall in Early Twentieth Century Shanghai

This study examines the complex dynamics of the boundary of Shanghai’s old Chinese City,Footnote1 highlighting its dual role as a spatial and social divider and a connector for commerce and daily life. The boundary separated two contrasting urban landscapes: the organized, urbanized French Concession and the traditional, non-urbanized County Seat. Initially embodied by the city wall and its surrounding land, the boundary transformed into a road after a twelve-year demolition debate in 1914. While the wall’s removal eliminated physical barriers, it intensified social and cultural divisions. This research explores the historical process of wall demolition and its impact on urban morphology, emphasizing the role of physical boundaries in shaping spatial organization and social relations.