"Yangpu Riverside Mid-North Region", located upon the Huangpu River about 9 km northeast of the famous Lujiazui peninsula, is one of Shanghai's most important development areas. The 11 sqkm large planning area, located east of Jungong road, includes 15.5 kilometers long Huangpu Riverfront. The area was one of the industrial hearts of Shanghai and contributed half of the GDP volume of Shanghai when in full swing. In the course of post-industrial urban renewal, most factories were being relocated, the area shall now be developed to a show-case and state of the art model district which represents Shanghai's aspiration to be a world renowned global city. The site contains several landmark-protected ensembles of industrial heritage buildings, as well as the very popular Gongqing Forest Park, which have to be incor­po­rated into the future design concept. Within Shanghai's overall strategic urban development scheme, "Yangpu Riverside Mid-North Region" represents an integral element; its importance for the future "City image" can hardly be overestimated. Against this background, the Shanghai Yangpu District Urban Planning and Land Administration Bureau held an inter­national urban design competition to explore the potentials of the area to become a dynamic, innovative, integrated new district, with a distinctive mixed of smart uses and a particular riverfront orientation. In an inter­national prequalifi cation process, AS+P was selected to participate in the competition, together with Shanghai Urban Planning and Design Research Institute, Chapman Taylor and AECOM.