Creative zones in Shanghai

About creative zones and their challenges during economic downturn:

http://www.china.org.cn/travel/events_festivals/2009-02/23/content_17319619_2.htm

1933

1933 was named as one of the hottest places in Asia. September 2008 article:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/north-asia/asias-hottest-new-spaces/2008/09/30/1222651036761.html?page=fullpage

virtual shanghai

i just stumbled across this fantastic repository of images documenting old shanghai. a vast number of buildings are represented here, and quickly thumbing through them i've already come accross a few landmarks from our conservation area. (i think i found that modern police station from helen's group).

if you get a chance, scroll through these thumbnails to see if you recognize any of the buildings from your area - maybe some of these images could be of use for our final report? 

rise and fall of Pingyao

may be of interest to the whole class, but in particular Melissa.
(a nice Tongji University reference, too).

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/world/asia/18pingyao.html?ref=world

In China, Despair Mounting Among Migrant Workers

similar to the nyt article Randy posted but more dire after Chinese New Year.

In China, Despair Mounting Among Migrant Workers
Millions Are Without Jobs, Options

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/03/AR2009030303287.html?hpid=artslot

shanghainese word of the day

Okay, now that you've mastered five Mandarin Chinese words, it's time to learn some Shanghainese before takeoff in t-40+ hours!

Here's a fun, interactive primer with audio. Click on the blue character to hear Mandarin, the red character 上 for 上海 -- Shang Hai ("up, on, or above" and "sea").

http://www.sinosplice.com/chinese/dialects/

Since Mandarin is the official language of China, over 90% of Chinese you encounter in Shanghai are Mandarin conversant, albeit many with their own regional twangs. For those who viewed "Nostalgia," the very elderly Shanghainese are the predominant, native group who either don't/ or prefer not to speak Mandarin.

For a bit of background on Shanghainese vis a vis Mandarin, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghainese_dialect

people, not buildings

not sure i agree with the approach taken in this photo-series, but nonetheless, i was certainly amused. 

let's discuss/criticize it when we get there.

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2005/03/20/travel/20050320_SHANGHAI_SLIDESHOW_1.html

from the NYT today

shopping for the elite in Shanghai's historically elite villas.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/travel/01surfacingcol.html?ref=travel