As an international metropolis，a national central city and a historical and cultural city，Shanghai has a multi-faceted urban character.In the past 40 years of reform and opening up，the background of China's social and economic system has undergone tremendous changes，and the urban spatial development strategy has also changed.Firstly，Based on the stage division of Shanghai planning and construction during this period，the changes of urban spatial planning structure are first described.Secondly，according to the type of functions，this paper selects typical cases such as new city，traditional community，historical district and riverside area，analyzing its planning and implementation，and exploring the innovative explorations and experiences of Shanghai in the construction of new district，community construction and historical protection.Through the cases，this paper evaluates the characteristics of Shanghai urban planning management and governance system，including the coordination of planning design and development management，the application of urban design methods，the promotion of historical block protection and renewal，and the rise of community planner system.Finally，this paper summarizes the paradigm shift of urban planning and design work in Shanghai since the reform and opening up.