Urban Renewal in Beijing

Research Paper # 66038

Architecture > Asian
Environmental Studies > Design
Environmental Studies > Urban Issues

Examines the renewal of the courtyard houses and hutongs in the old city of Beijing.

4,950 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2004 France

Paper Summary:

Compared to other historic capital cities (such as Rome, Paris or Istanbul) - whose existence is more the result of a natural evolution with the increase of population, economic wealth and political power - the unique characteristic of Beijing is that it is a "planned entity," reflecting Chinese philosophy and cosmology which ran through its 3000 years urban history. This paper examines the latest conservation plan of the Beijing municipal government (Plan 1991-2010), especially concerning the renewal and preservation of courtyard houses and hutongs.

Paper Outline:
Introduction
Main Features in the Design
Plans of Construction (or Destruction?) Planning Since 1949
The Courtyard Houses and Hutong - the Folk Culture of Beijing
Values for Preservation
Restraints in Preservation
The Invisible City
Ju'er Hutong Project
References

From the Paper:

"The urban planning in China is rarely transparent to the public. In Beijing's case, with the residential area, public participation is one essential part in better designing for the renewal. To involve all the people who care about the place, who in fact are the place, guarantees a better understanding of what to preserve at all. Local Beijingers, having been living in the cultural political center of the nation, are informally active in public affairs. The old tea houses were always buzzing with discussions on current events, and today the alternative community managers (respected senior citizens) using simple tools (visiting each family, holding small meetings, notice boards spreading news in the Hutongs) can collect ideas easily."