Low-rise housing iof any age is a rare sight in Shanghai as land is so costly or even more importantly, virtually non-existent for such a low density use.
When in Shanghai (and in any other city you might be unfamiliar with) be sure to take a business card from your hotel's reception desk or have someone at the desk write one out for you - you will find it invaluable if somehow you wander off and can't find your way back or, worse yet, can't pronounce in Chinese the name of the hotel even if you know what its name is.
No sand here but beach-type umbrellas are extremely important as even in February the temperature is already in the mid-nineties farenheit. The shade under the umbrellas is most welcome indeed.