Over the last decade, Shanghai has seen development on a vast scale. Expense, it seems, has been not been a problem. The city's infrastructure and services have become the best in the Chinese mainland, while new buildings rise from the ground at an astounding rate. The future by all accounts looks prosperous. But amid the cranes and bulldozers the question that has yet to be answered is what kind of city is it trying to become?

Shanghai has always held a strong link with the Western world. Ever since the British and French used its port to peddle opium and opened their first foreign concessions, the city has had many diverse influences thrust upon it. Yet its prosperity has up until recently been reserved, largely overshadowed by the economic success of its near neighbour Hong Kong. It is only now, after the 1997 reunification, that Shanghai has re-awakened as a major city on the world stage - attracting all the benefits and disadvantages that goes with it. The Chinese Government has been actively keen to show off the city's status. Unlike Hong Kong, it is a success of their own making.

Chinese people would like nothing more than for Shanghai to overtake the former colony as Asia's main financial market. But in order to achieve their goal they are in danger of forgetting their roots and cultural background in favour of profit and prosperity.

The stunning skyline of Pudong and the scale of Nanjing Lu are certainly impressive, but a city is more than merely posh buildings and expensive shopping malls. Shanghai is now almost indistinguishable from a Western city, indeed it seems to have been modelled exactly upon one. Perhaps it is for this reason that many foreigners find it so accommodating, a home from home. But China's long history and tradition marks it out from the rest of the world as something special that should be preserved not replaced by another glass-paned eyesore.

This is not to say that Shanghai should not enjoy success and affluence, of course it has a right as much as any city, but there is a need to strike a balance.

Shanghai's desire for world recognition has led to more traditional areas being demolished to make way for "new business opportunities", leaving the real attraction and spirit of the city, its people, isolated and left on the sidelines.

In any city, it is the local communities that form the backbone of its existence, yet the divide between the rich and poor in Shanghai is startling to see. Beggars and businessmen walk side by side, prostitutes and professionals live on each others' door steps.

Shanghai has many great communities little more than five minutes walk from People's Square, where togetherness prevails over everything else. In a city which personifies commercialism and economic growth, the task is to try and keep that spirit alive.

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