Director Johnny Jiang shares global urban renewal insights at Shanghai Regeneration Forum
On the afternoon of 17 July, the second meeting of the 2025 International Urban Regeneration Case Studies group, organised by the Shanghai Urban Renewal Trailblazers Alliance, was successfully held at the Lester School of Engineering & Technology in Shanghai. Chapman Taylor’s Johnny Jiang, Director of the Shanghai studio, joined the event as a guest speaker, offering valuable international insights on urban regeneration.
The 2025 Case Studies initiative is a key research output from the Alliance, bringing together leading international consultancy and design expertise to inform Shanghai’s urban renewal agenda. The project aims to compile successful global case studies in technological innovation, renewal mechanisms, and operational models, forming a practical and strategic reference for future urban transformation in Shanghai.
Johnny Jiang shared experiences from two notable UK case studies: Coventry South City Centre and Canary Wharf in London.
The Coventry South City Centre regeneration project demonstrates a comprehensive approach to revitalising a historic urban area. The masterplan delivers 1,300 new homes alongside 20,000m² of enhanced public realm, integrating housing, commerce, and community space to reinvigorate the city centre and enhance urban liveability.
Canary Wharf, once a neglected docklands area, was transformed through an “infrastructure-first” approach—leveraging light rail and Underground connections to activate the district. The area has since evolved into a hub for new industries, including fintech incubators, demonstrating how transport-led regeneration can drive economic growth and urban vibrancy.
These international examples illustrate how urban renewal can balance heritage preservation with contemporary needs, offering sustainable, inclusive, and future-facing models for cities around the world.
Chapman Taylor is proud to contribute to this important dialogue, supporting Shanghai’s ambition to learn from best practices globally while advancing its own innovative and people-focused urban renewal strategies.