China’s rapid economic growth within the last decades was followed by many urbanisation and regeneration projects, which often resulted in demolition or damaging of historic streets and districts. Even though China’s history of heritage preservation is rich and complex, the urban heritage conservation is still a maturing notion and practice. Changmen Historical and Cultural District is one of the five historical and cultural districts in Suzhou. Located in the northwest of the ancient city, historically was an important distribution and commercial center, representing the prosperity of Suzhou. The district is mainly residential, except from two main commercial streets and the famous Changmen Gate area. As many historical districts, Changmen is an example of contrast between colourful and rich tourist zones and neglected traditional houses in residential zones where both tangible and intangible heritage need preserving. This thesis investigates historical background regarding architectural heritage preservation in China as well as its current urban conservation practice. It analyses the current situation of Changmen Historical District, as well as a proposed masterplan and strategy for the district. The paper subsequently introduces Changmen Hotel area, a specific site that has recently undergone renovation, however is a relatively poor example of urban regeneration, which treats heritage conservation superficially. The design for the Changmen Hotel area suggests an alternative solution for the site, considering its state prior to the renovation. It serves as a tool to imagine a more appropriate approach to urban conservation, in which the vernacular and traditional elements are inspiration for a development respectful of its context.
La rapida crescita economica della Cina negli ultimi decenni è stata seguita da molti progetti di urbanizzazione e rigenerazione, che spesso hanno portato alla demolizione o al danneggiamento di strade e quartieri storici. Anche se la storia della conservazione del patrimonio in Cina è ricca e complessa, la conservazione del patrimonio urbano è ancora una nozione e una pratica in via di maturazione. Il distretto storico e culturale di Changmen è uno dei cinque distretti storici e culturali di Suzhou. Situato nel nord-ovest dell'antica città, storicamente è stato un importante centro di distribuzione e commerciale, che rappresenta la prosperità di Suzhou. Il quartiere è prevalentemente residenziale, fatta eccezione per le due principali strade commerciali e la famosa zona di Changmen Gate. Come molti quartieri storici, Changmen è un esempio di contrasto tra zone turistiche ricche e colorate e case tradizionali trascurate in zone residenziali dove il patrimonio materiale e immateriale deve essere preservato. Questa tesi indaga il background storico relativo alla conservazione del patrimonio architettonico in Cina e la sua attuale pratica di conservazione urbana. Viene analizzata la situazione attuale del distretto storico di Changmen, nonché lo sviluppo di di un masterplan che racchiude la strategia urbana per il distretto . Il documento introduce successivamente l'area dell'Hotel Changmen, un sito specifico che è stato recentemente sottoposto a ristrutturazione, tuttavia è un esempio relativamente povero di rigenerazione urbana. Il progetto per l'area dell'Hotel Changman suggerisce una soluzione alternativa per il sito, considerando il suo stato precedente alla ristrutturazione. Il progetto diventa strumento per immaginare un approccio più appropriato alla conservazione urbana, in cui gli elementi vernacolari e tradizionali diventino ispirazione per uno sviluppo rispettoso del suo contesto.
Urban conservation in China. Redevelopment of Changmen hotel area in Suzhou
Swieczkowski, Kajetan
2020/2021
Abstract
China’s rapid economic growth within the last decades was followed by many urbanisation and regeneration projects, which often resulted in demolition or damaging of historic streets and districts. Even though China’s history of heritage preservation is rich and complex, the urban heritage conservation is still a maturing notion and practice. Changmen Historical and Cultural District is one of the five historical and cultural districts in Suzhou. Located in the northwest of the ancient city, historically was an important distribution and commercial center, representing the prosperity of Suzhou. The district is mainly residential, except from two main commercial streets and the famous Changmen Gate area. As many historical districts, Changmen is an example of contrast between colourful and rich tourist zones and neglected traditional houses in residential zones where both tangible and intangible heritage need preserving. This thesis investigates historical background regarding architectural heritage preservation in China as well as its current urban conservation practice. It analyses the current situation of Changmen Historical District, as well as a proposed masterplan and strategy for the district. The paper subsequently introduces Changmen Hotel area, a specific site that has recently undergone renovation, however is a relatively poor example of urban regeneration, which treats heritage conservation superficially. The design for the Changmen Hotel area suggests an alternative solution for the site, considering its state prior to the renovation. It serves as a tool to imagine a more appropriate approach to urban conservation, in which the vernacular and traditional elements are inspiration for a development respectful of its context.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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2021_12_Swieczkowski.pdf
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Descrizione: thesis text
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/182119