Shanghai uses 432 robots to relocate 7,500-tonne heritage buildings
Shanghai, in an impressive feat of precision engineering and heritage conservation, has more than 400 mobile robots being used to move a century-old architectural complex to its original location, one slow, synchronized step at a time.
The Huayanli complex, weighing approximately 7,500 tonnes and located in the city’s Jing’an district, is being carefully repositioned using 432 robotic carriers. The relocation, which began on May 19, is progressing at a rate of approximately 10 metres per day and is expected to be completed by June 7.
Constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, the buildings are a prominent example of Shikumen architecture — a blend of Western design and traditional Jiangnan residential styles from China’s Yangtze River Delta region. The Zhangyuan complex, where Huayanli stands, is considered one of the most diverse and well-preserved Shikumen collections in Shanghai.
A careful return to place
The buildings had been temporarily relocated to accommodate the construction of a ground-level roof over an extensive underground space measuring more than 53,000 square meters. Due to the sheer number and compact arrangement of the heritage buildings, traditional on-site renovations were unfeasible.
Rather than dismantle the structures, engineers turned to robotic technology. The 432 robots, which move in unison beneath the buildings, ensure a balanced and controlled journey back to the original site.
Blending technology with tradition
The robots — described as crawler-style transport units — are designed to move as a coordinated unit, preserving the structural integrity of the complex during the relocation. The process has been closely monitored to minimize vibration or stress on the buildings’ foundations.
Chinese media report that the use of robotic movers in this context is part of a broader trend in Shanghai, where smart technologies are increasingly being employed to safeguard cultural heritage amid ongoing urban growth.
Smart urban development
The Huayanli relocation project demonstrates how heritage preservation and infrastructure development can coexist, thanks to innovative solutions. As cities worldwide face similar challenges in balancing history with modernization, Shanghai’s robot-led approach presents a compelling example.
In a city known for its dynamic transformation, the return of Huayanli proves that even historic architecture can be part of the future, sometimes, with the help of hundreds of tiny, determined machines.
Source: China Daily
