This research purposes to clarify the process of urban growth of the Shanghai International Settlement from view of urban development conducted by Japanese in the Modern Period, and to analyze the character of urban structure of the Shanghai International Settlement.
As well known, Meiji Japan was just a new-rising country in East Asia. Undoubtedly, the Japanese political and economical power in Shanghai was so weak in presence or influence that it could not compete with the British one directly. For Japan at that time, however, “Shanghai Advancement” was an important issue, because it meant that Japan would rank with the great powers in East Asia. So, in what manner did Japanese success in advancing into Shanghai? To solute this problem, the authors analyzed the activities that conducted by Japanese. Those are (1) Civil survey of the Wang Poo River, (2) Inspection of the Shanghai, (3) Drawing up the Basic Strategy, (4) land development.
It is found that in order to provide their urban facilities, Japanese just adapted their directions closely to urban development trends of British ones. For example, immediately after new roads constructed, Japanese firms bought their new lands along the new road. Thus, it took more than 40 years from 1890s to 1930s for Japan to establish their urban functions in Shanghai International Settlement. Finally, the Japanese spread consisted of Western (Seibu), Central (Chubu) and Eastern (Tobu). It is thought that this structure was initially planned in the Basic Strategy convenient in the Meiji Era.