China is still the world’s fastest growing economy, and central to this is the city of Shanghai. The city itself is fast emerging as a major centre for global trade and commerce, and predictably the number of skyscrapers in the city is increasing rapidly in line with is. We took a look at the top 3 building projects happening in Shanghai right now, and what makes them so inspirational.

1. Shanghai Tower

At present, this is set to be the second tallest building in the whole world upon its planned completion in 2014. So far, the only confirmed residents will be a hotel, which, covering almost 30 floors of the building, will be the world’s tallest.

The Shanghai Tower has been built with the environment in mind, with the design of the building aimed at significantly reducing wind loads, meaning less steel has been needed in the structure. The building will also use wind turbines to generate a large portion of the buildings’ electricity.

2. White Magnolia Plaza

Unfortunately, construction on this building is currently on hold. The design of the building has been changed and amended on numerous occasions, leading to problems in the on-going construction. Once building resumes and this skyscraper is finished, however, it will serve as one of the tallest and most attractive office blocks in the entire Hongkou District.

3. Bionic Tower

Although this project is still at the proposal stage, the sheer enormity and audacity of the project simply has to be seen to be believed. The Bionic Tower is proposed as a vertical city, which will eventually have over 100,000 inhabitants. The idea behind this project is the motivation to find environmentally friendly ways of incorporating an ever expanding population.

This building could yet end up being constructed in Hong Kong rather than Shanghai, however it remains one of the most inspirational and daring proposals currently preparing to be undertaken.

The Shanghai Skyline

Wherever you look around the city of Shanghai, there are inspirational building designs and structures that simply take the breath away. With internal competition throughout the country, as well as the desire to position China as a leading economic powerhouse for the entire world, the height of the buildings and brilliance of their design and appearance is simply going to continue increasing.

Where New York City and London once stood as the place all businesses simply need to have a base, Shanghai is quickly taking over that mantle, if it has not done so already. This ambition and economic strength is manifesting itself in the stunning architecture of the city, and will do so for many years to come.

This is a guest post from Vector Foiltec. Vector Foiltec invented the use of Texlon (mainly used in ETFE roofs), and have developed the use of this innovative technology worldwide in the design and constructive industry. Some of the world’s most impressive offices, stadiums, and transport buildings have been developed by Vector-Foiltec.

Besides walking, reading, exercising, friends meeting, public dancing, what could you do in a park at weekend? Match-making! Peoples park is known for its match-making corner at every weekend. Hundreds of eager parents come to the park in the Peoples Square, looking for a son-in-law or daughter-in-law. Paper have been hung all over the park, with brief self introduction and criteria for the other half.

The dreamworks production "Shrek the Musical" is on in Shanghai Culture Square. The performance will play during July 13th - August 5th. The new theatre was completed in 2011 with a focus on musicals. The same location was associated with the biggest flower market in east China after 1997, a temporary stock exchange after 1990, a culture square after new China, and back to the beginning, the Canidrome in the former French Concession from 1928.

Many parts in the former French Concession of Shanghai remain unchanged. Walking along the streets aligned with plane trees, you can still feel the life style of French. A lot of the private garden houses are now opened as bars and restaurants. But the external look of architectures have been preserved. It is a romantic area for wedding pictures.