Multispecies urbanism: Emerging dog parks in Shanghai

Abstract

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.

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