Traffic rules the roost in Shanghai

Shanghai is never shy about declaring its ambition to be a world-class city that can match New York or London for style and sophistication. And nobody can accuse the municipal government of a lack of effort.

Its efforts are obvious even to the first time visitor to this city with its rich and colorful history. The new terminal at Pudong International Airport is enormous, and as clean and as efficient, if not more so than the airports at most other major metropolises. Driving into the city, the visitor is treated to row after row of gleaming skyscrapers on both sides of the elevated highways.

As space in Lujiazui, a financial district established in the 1990s by government decree, is running out, so the municipal authorities are building another financial district next to the historic Bund on the west bank of the Huangpu River. What's more, the government has spared no effort in recreating the city's cultural identity by rehabilitating many areas of historic significance, and designating them as either creative industry parks or entertainment enclaves.