Multispecies urbanism

Emerging dog parks in Shanghai

Bibliographic Data

ID4464489
AuthorsYi Yu (0000-0003-4670-3927, East China Normal University), Xiaoting Yang (0000-0002-5909-2232, East China Normal University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume8
Issue2
Pages624-641
Publication date2025-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironment and Planning E Nature and Space (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2514-8486 • E-ISSN: 2514-8494
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/25148486241310357
OpenAlexW4406707664
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited49

The rising popularity of dog parks in Shanghai, serving as a focal point for urban recreation, underscores the evolving dynamics of animal-human interactions within the city's expanding urban landscape. These spaces reflect both localized customs and international trends, thereby situating Shanghai in the broader context of multispecies urbanism. Employing thematic analysis, participatory observation and data sourced from Dianping (the Chinese equivalent of Yelp), this study investigates the integration of dog parks into Shanghai's urban fabric to unravel the complex interplay among urban areas, animal-human bonds, commodification, and canine governance. This article argues that while the emerging dog parks recognize more-than-human agency, they are highly commodified and governed spaces. The findings illuminate the sociospatial dynamics of Shanghai and how these dynamics influence urban nature and animal welfare and position the city in the global discourse on multispecies urban environments

Archaeology · Economic geography · Environmental planning · Geography · Urbanism · Geographies of human-animal interactions · Human-Animal Interaction Studies · Water Governance and Infrastructure · Architecture

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