The Shanghai Lilong in the 21st Century: Can Informal Commercial Activity Save this Threatened Urban Space?

Lilong were gated, hierarchically organized residential compounds built in Shanghai during the colonial era. Stylistically influenced by the West, they also saw China’s concept of the home (jia) change into something more modern (and Western): the family home, while still a home, could also be seen as a commodity. Once covering 80% of the city,...