Zhangjiang Science City developed out of Zhangjiang High-tech Industrial Park, which was among the first batch of national level new areas. With an area of 17 square kilometers, the science city was established in July 1992. In 1999, Shanghai launched its “Focusing on Zhangjiang” strategy, which put the high-tech industrial park on a development fast track.

In 2000, Shanghai and Pudong New Area jointly established an office to spearhead the development of Zhangjiang High-Tech Industrial Park and expanded its area to 25.9 square kilometers. In May 2007, the administrative committee of Zhangjiang High-tech Industrial Park was founded, serving as an agency of district government. During 2011 and 2012, the Shanghai municipal government successively approved the incorporation of Zhangjiang High-tech Industrial Park, Kangqiao Industrial Park, International Medical Park, And Zhoupu Prosperous Industrial Zone into the heart part of Zhangjiang High-Tech Industrial Park, thus expanding the area to 79.7 square kilometers.

In December 2014, 37.2 square kilometers of Zhangjiang High-tech Industrial Park were integrated into China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. In February 2016, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology approved the establishment of Zhangjiang Comprehensive National Science Center. In July 2017, the Shanghai municipal government officially approved the Construction Planning of Zhangjiang Science City, with an area of 95 square kilometers. In May 2018, the Shanghai municipal Party committee and municipal government decided to shift the Shanghai office to promote the construction of a science and technology innovation center, and adjusted the administrative system of Zhangjiang. In this case, the administrative committee of Zhangjiang High-tech Industrial Park was renamed to Shanghai Zhangjiang Science City construction management office.