ABSTRACT
In the twentieth century, alongside communication facilities such as postal service, telegraph, radio and telephone, modern transport was vital in supporting urban communication and social life. Unlike rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages, trams not only require a large amount of investment both in construction and operation, but also opened an unprecedented public experience characterized by “collective mobility”. As the earliest mode of public transport, trams appeared in Shanghai with strong international color in the context of “one city, three governances”: Shanghai Municipal Council governed the International Settlement, Conseil d’Administration Municipale governed the French Concession, and Chinese government took charge of the old city area. The tram opened up a new public transport experience characterized by “collective mobility”, creating new interactions and socialities. Dozens of people might ride one tram car at the same time, and the number might even reach a hundred during peak hours. This was a brand-new experience for the residents of traditional Chinese villages, towns and cities.
