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Why does the old Chinese city of Shanghai have a maze-like street pattern?
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Shanghai
Skyline of Shanghai, China.
The old Chinese city of Shanghai is characterized by a random and labyrinthine street pattern because it developed historically within the confines of a defensive wall that stood until the early 20th century. Unlike the gridiron street patterns found in areas that were once part of the British concession, the old city's layout reflects its traditional origins and historical boundaries.1
Today, this area is defined by the streets of Renmin Lu and Zhonghua Lu, which follow the path where the original 3-mile (5-km) wall once stood. The district is bisected by the main north-south artery, Henan Nan Lu.1