It's Shanghai -- in mini (scale) mode

A source forwarded me this neat link that shows a massive built-to-scale model of what the city of Shanghai will look like in the future. The model is at the Shanghai Urban Planning Exposition Center and covers 800 square meters. There are more good photos on the neatorama website, via flickr, and there's a video at YouTube that pans across the model.

I'm posting this because unlike regular maps, such a model gives you an idea of density and urban geography -- and what a perfect tool in transportation planning. Wouldn't it be great if there was such a model of Southern California or even Los Angeles? Someone, anyone, please build one of these! The tourists would gobble it up. In fact, Southern California residents would eat it up too.

It also reminds me of something similar I saw on a visit to the Bay Area last year. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers years ago built a warehouse-size hydraulic model of the Bay Area that it used to study tides and other water issues. It covers 1.5 acres and is worth checking out if you're in the Bay Area. Directions and hours are on the Army Corps website.

-- Steve Hymon

Top photo: Shanghai

Bottom photo: Army Corps of Engineers

Comments

[Simon]

Just wanted to mention that I really appreciate the excellent reporting you do here. This blog has been a huge wealth of information and it's a real credit to yourself and the paper.