After having a lecture or the problems dealing with the urbanization and
modernization of Shanghai, we visited the Shanghai Urban Planning Museum.
It was four floors and what I found most interesting was the idea of
Shanghai Going Green. What I have noticed is that the city of Shanghai is
remotely clean ( compared to NYC) but at the museum we had a debate about
how could Shanghai or other big cities in China truly go green if their
was such a high amount of air pollution from factories and overall
congestion. Also, we got to know SO MUCH more about the one -child rule
in China and I must admit, I had believed so many stereotypes I heard in
the U.S. Turns out that the there are so many provisions to it and
exceptions. For instance, depending on if you are in the majority or
minority ethnic groups, you may be able to have more than one child.
Actually, we were asked to not say “allowed to” because it is not as if
the government will take the child and give it away but it is a matter of
the taxes being so high that one can not even take care of his or her
family. What was most interesting was the emphasis on a spoiled child or
a child being driven to work because that is the hope to carry on the
legacy of the family. It was too opposing viewpoints and both very
interesting. I feel as if I am learning so much, going so many places! I
do not even know what do write about!
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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China
