CHINESE Urbanism
Studio Christian kerez
Spring 2014
Nanjing area redevelopment
Exercise 1: What is a City?
The focus of the semester was urban planning in China. It started with an exercise called What is a City? Every student had to decide and express what a city was for them.
Exercise 2: Shenzhen
with Olivia Bucher & Victor Lepik
We propose reshaping the coastline to connect the inland lake to the Ocean. As a result the coastline becomes by nearly 40% longer. Along this coast there is a promenade with coffeehouses and shops.The remaining area consists of residential houses of low and medium density and a central park. Next to the road forming the northern boundary of the perimeter there is higher density housing.
The traffic from the coastal highway is diverted to a bridge following the current path of the highway. This reduces the impact of its noise and pollution on the residential areas.The excavated earth from the coast reshaping process would be used to elevate the terrain on the remaining areas. This allows for denser settlement without impairing the privacy of its residents.A new cultural center set on an artificial island acts as a meeting point for local residents as well as a new tourist destination for Shenzhen.
Exercise 3: Nanjing
with Olivia Bucher & Victor Lepik
We propose building an up to 50m high structure on the perimeter in Nanjing. The existing transport infrastructure will be integrated and expanded upon, which allows for new connections and adds a variety of new spaces. The uses are stacked vertically: On the lowest floors, with limited daylight exposure there are workshops. Above those are shops and offices.
The highest floors are occupied by apartments and the green roofs that form a park scape and a pedestrian walkway. Traffic is structured according to the program. On the lowest levels are rail lines and shipping. Above those are the roads and tram lines. At the top are the pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths.
Exercise 4: Beijing
with Olivia Bucher & Victor Lepik
We propose working within the typology of the traditional Hutong architecture from Beijing. Many of the traditional Hutong quarters are being demolished at the moment, because they do not fit the current requirements for space and infrastructure.
The quarter is structured by an overlaying grid for better orientation. The individual blocks are constructed organically with intricate alleyways and courtyard houses. The narrow streets are too small for cars and most other vehicles. This allows the occupants of the adjoining buildings to occupy the street space. The narrow alleyways form a transition space from the private house and courtyards to the public roads. Unlike in the western culture, where a piazza is the main space for social interaction the street is a key space for gathering in China. The small spaces between the houses work perfectly with the climate in Beijing - they provide shelter and natural ventilation during the hot summers and preserve heat during harsh winters. In some of the wider alleyways there are small shops on the ground floor for local residents.
The private houses have a traditional courtyard as a private retreat, but would have a significantly higher floor area than a classical Hutong house.This homogenous structure is broken up in specific places by larger structures such as parks, schools and other public buildings.
Final Exercise: Nanjing
Nanjing is one of the most important cities in China with its history as a former capital and current economic prospects. It has the second biggest trade district and is one of the best connected transportation hub in China. The main reason for all of these qualities is the Yangtze river. Also Nanjing had a immense population growth in the last 5 decades. As a result the city borders expanded and density in the center declined.
The site chosen for the studio is in the city of Nanjing. The site is currently occupied by a diverse mix of residential, commercial and public spaces. Due to the de-industrialization it is changing its identity from an area of heavy industries to one of manufacture with residential areas.
The idea is to connect the existing channel system with the Yangtze river with a series of arteries, which in turn increase the trade and transportation possibilities. Increasing the perforation of the waterways in to the city will also allow the integration of the river to the daily city life.
Dense blocks varying in height from 6 meters up to 100 meters will be built along the arteries. The space left between the rows of built area are planned as public programs such as parks, promenades, museums.
