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W. Sun
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Chinese Notions of Public Space
Transculturation in Urban Design and Architecture after the ‘Reform and Opening-up’ in 1978
This doctoral research investigates the understanding and implementation of public space in the reformed Chinese context, particularly from the perspectives of urban design and architecture, by referring to the complex process and result of transculturation (transculturación). It delineates how public space as a Greco-Roman originated concept traversed the urban and architectural cultures of post-reform China, merging and negotiating with the local conditions, and evolved into a new phenomenon in Chinese urban design and architecture. This research first critically reviews contemporary narratives from Chinese philosophy and sociology, then materials written in post-reform China on the topic of public space. It then analyses various cases in their design and spatial conditions, ranging from ‘shared spaces’ in the areas characterised by urban dwelling and communities to ‘open spaces’ in the central city where strangers mingle and globalisation manifests. By analysing public space as a cultural phenomenon, carrying specific meaning, through specific concepts and designs, this research develops an interpretative framework within which the meanings and transculturation of public space in Chinese urban design and architecture can be understood and elucidates potential for future urban design and architectural practices. Theoretically, it moves beyond the conventional research on public space that is primarily based on Western thoughts, an Indo-European notion, and a Greco-Roman tradition. Practically, it paves the way for future development of the design of public space, highlighting the cultural, social, and spatial dynamics in Chinese cities vis-à-vis the related political, economic, and governmental conditions within the context of ongoing globalisation.
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This doctoral research investigates the understanding and implementation of public space in the reformed Chinese context, particularly from the perspectives of urban design and architecture, by referring to the complex process and result of transculturation (transculturación). It delineates how public space as a Greco-Roman originated concept traversed the urban and architectural cultures of post-reform China, merging and negotiating with the local conditions, and evolved into a new phenomenon in Chinese urban design and architecture. This research first critically reviews contemporary narratives from Chinese philosophy and sociology, then materials written in post-reform China on the topic of public space. It then analyses various cases in their design and spatial conditions, ranging from ‘shared spaces’ in the areas characterised by urban dwelling and communities to ‘open spaces’ in the central city where strangers mingle and globalisation manifests. By analysing public space as a cultural phenomenon, carrying specific meaning, through specific concepts and designs, this research develops an interpretative framework within which the meanings and transculturation of public space in Chinese urban design and architecture can be understood and elucidates potential for future urban design and architectural practices. Theoretically, it moves beyond the conventional research on public space that is primarily based on Western thoughts, an Indo-European notion, and a Greco-Roman tradition. Practically, it paves the way for future development of the design of public space, highlighting the cultural, social, and spatial dynamics in Chinese cities vis-à-vis the related political, economic, and governmental conditions within the context of ongoing globalisation.
Public Space in Chinese Urban Design Theory after 1978
A compressed transculturation
The 1978 economic reform not only propelled a rapid urban development in China but also unlocked vast possibilities for global exchanges of knowledge and techniques in the fields of architecture and urban design. To establish a theoretical and empirical understanding of the notion of public space, Chinese scholars and design practitioners have related to design theories and exemplary cases through direct and indirect contact with the Western context in the four decades since 1978. This paper analyses how the Western notion of public space encountered Chinese urban design and was rapidly negotiated on the level of concept through theoretical developments. The process began with a loose transmission of design knowledge and technique while uprooting the embedded cultural background; it then developed into a situated and structured framework of knowledge in the specific context of modern China. This paper argues that the notion of public space in Chinese urban design culture has articulated the substance of compressed transculturation, not only through its compact four-decade-long development trajectory, but also as a result of both acculturation and deculturation.
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The 1978 economic reform not only propelled a rapid urban development in China but also unlocked vast possibilities for global exchanges of knowledge and techniques in the fields of architecture and urban design. To establish a theoretical and empirical understanding of the notion of public space, Chinese scholars and design practitioners have related to design theories and exemplary cases through direct and indirect contact with the Western context in the four decades since 1978. This paper analyses how the Western notion of public space encountered Chinese urban design and was rapidly negotiated on the level of concept through theoretical developments. The process began with a loose transmission of design knowledge and technique while uprooting the embedded cultural background; it then developed into a situated and structured framework of knowledge in the specific context of modern China. This paper argues that the notion of public space in Chinese urban design culture has articulated the substance of compressed transculturation, not only through its compact four-decade-long development trajectory, but also as a result of both acculturation and deculturation.
In Beijing’s old city, the emergence of conflictual practices in the street life have challenged the conventional concepts of ‘public’ and ‘private’, as well as the design principles based on this normative expression. This paper proposes a novel way of reading and understanding the street spaces by exploring a traditional type of street in Beijing— namely the hutong — through its controversial and conflicting spatial practices and ambiguous social expressions. Substantiated by the practice of lived experience, it argues that instead of a given urban condition or an idealised category of urban design, public space is best understood as a dynamic realm negotiated and renegotiated by simultaneous solid and soft interventions from multiple social groups. This argument hopes to open discussions towards a more localised and inclusive understanding of public space in the Chinese city.
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In Beijing’s old city, the emergence of conflictual practices in the street life have challenged the conventional concepts of ‘public’ and ‘private’, as well as the design principles based on this normative expression. This paper proposes a novel way of reading and understanding the street spaces by exploring a traditional type of street in Beijing— namely the hutong — through its controversial and conflicting spatial practices and ambiguous social expressions. Substantiated by the practice of lived experience, it argues that instead of a given urban condition or an idealised category of urban design, public space is best understood as a dynamic realm negotiated and renegotiated by simultaneous solid and soft interventions from multiple social groups. This argument hopes to open discussions towards a more localised and inclusive understanding of public space in the Chinese city.
复杂关系网络下，城市发展如何满足利益相关者诉求？
《城市中国》海外观察员第五期工作坊纪实
With the wave of globalization, many countries have witnessed the same trend within which the traditional government-cantered urban management mode is changing. The participation of various non-governmental organizations, private institutions and citizens has made the network of urban governance more complicated than before. In the meanwhile, various departments, organizations and groups show their different demands and interests. How to meet the needs of various participants and deal with this complexity has become an important challenge in urban development. This workshop hopes to understand this trend through the discussion of important aspects of urban development（i.e. the transformation of old cities, social welfare distribution and planning and design projects）.Future directions for urban management and development are also discussed.
...
With the wave of globalization, many countries have witnessed the same trend within which the traditional government-cantered urban management mode is changing. The participation of various non-governmental organizations, private institutions and citizens has made the network of urban governance more complicated than before. In the meanwhile, various departments, organizations and groups show their different demands and interests. How to meet the needs of various participants and deal with this complexity has become an important challenge in urban development. This workshop hopes to understand this trend through the discussion of important aspects of urban development（i.e. the transformation of old cities, social welfare distribution and planning and design projects）.Future directions for urban management and development are also discussed.