Shanghai's Historic Zhang Garden Embarks on Unprecedented Mass Relocation Project

In the heart of Shanghai, the historic preservation area of Zhang Garden has commenced a large-scale building relocation project. The ambitious undertaking involves moving nine heritage-protected buildings, originally constructed in the 1920s, to make way for subterranean development. This project marks a first for historic building preservation in Shanghai.

Project Overview

Following commands from the on-site headquarters, intelligent synchronized hydraulic self-walking cylinders installed beneath the buildings powers on. The first building group, composed of two structures, is lifted, moved forward, and then gently lowered, completing a single "step."

This complex engineering feat involves a total of nine historic buildings, with a combined floor area of approximately 10,000 square meters (about 107,640 square feet). Most are two-story structures, some featuring a third-level attic, with an average height of 15 meters (about 49 feet).

Technical Challenges and Advanced Solutions

According to the master plan, the nine buildings are divided into four groups. They will first be moved to temporary positions in the center of the site to allow for the construction of a new basement level at their original location. Once the underground work is complete, the buildings will be moved back to their precise starting points along the same path. The complexity of this multi-stage maneuver has drawn comparisons to a real-life game of "Sliding Klotski."

Key challenges for the project include:

• Geological Conditions: Shanghai's characteristic soft soil requires exceptional stability during the relocation process to prevent structural damage.
• Site Constraints: The project area in Zhang Garden's eastern section is surrounded by four major roads, leaving very limited operational space.
• Preservation Standards: The structural integrity and historic facade of the century-old buildings must be preserved to the highest degree.

To overcome these challenges, the project team opted for the advanced "walking-style relocation technology" instead of traditional sliding or rail methods. This technique utilizes two alternating groups of supports (Group A and Group B) that lift and shift the structures in a motion that mimics human walking. This method is better suited for uneven surfaces, allows for more flexible and safer movement, and ensures that the building interiors, including the original flooring, remain intact.

This project establishes an innovative model for urban renewal by simultaneously carrying out the large-scale preservation of a historic district with the development of modern underground infrastructure. It offers a groundbreaking solution for how cities can preserve their historical context while meeting contemporary functional demands.