Flip City

Shanghai, China

FLIP/CITY proposes a new urban identity for Shanghai as a model for the development of future cities. By questioning traditional typologies, FLIP/CITY redefines methods of organizing communities by preserving the human scale.

The proposal flips the horizontal cityscape to the vertical.

Footprints of Shanghai’s existing typologies, only visible by plane, embody the new face of the vertical city.  By expressing distinct functions for its citizens, FLIP/CITY relates strongly to the human scale while simultaneously increasing density and green space at the urban scale. By expanding Shanghai up along the vertical plane unused urban voids will be activated. Proximity and numerous informal meeting spaces catalyze synergy and a vivid community life.

FLIP/CITY is a new urban typology that answers the needs of modern Shanghai, its economy, social structures and ecological plans for the future while embracing Shanghai’s rich history and its citizens.

Team: Fabian Busse, Nicolai Schlapps