[5] As part of the Huamu Civic Center, it was also intended to help drive Pudong's continued development away from Lujiazui and other neighborhoods along the banks of the Huangpu River.

[5] Its initial themes were the harmony of nature, mankind, and technology (Chinese: 自然·人·科技, Zìrán, Rén, Kējì) and its first five exhibition halls were devoted to "Heaven and Earth", "Life", "Wisdom", "Creativity", and "the Future".

[8] The second phase of the project opened in May 2005, at which time it was the first science and technology museum authenticated to meet ISO 9000/14000 quality and environmental standards.

Initially named a AAAA-rated tourist attraction by the CNTA,[5] the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum has since been upgraded to AAAAA status.

[10] US president Barack Obama held a town hall meeting with Shanghainese students at the Science and Technology Museum on 16 November 2009 during his state visit.

These include the Pudong Development Bank, the Shanghai Science and Technology Investment Corporation, Beijing Zhijin Venture Capital, and Top Group.

[citation needed] Century Park lies nearby and, together, the complex has helped rebrand the district and encourage luxury housing developments in the surrounding area.

[1] There was previously also an "Audio-Visual Discovery Paradise",[5] s small-scale hydroelectric power station, a 700 square meters (7,500 sq ft) rain forest, an aviary, an aquarium, and an earthquake center including a motive platform with video allowing visitors to experience simulated tremors.

This behavior is common in China, where museums often subcontract all their exhibits' designs to private firms without any longterm arrangement to maintain or update them.