Comments on: On Hutongs and Highrises

By: Urbanize This » Suburbs

Urbanize This » Suburbs — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:57:05 +0000

[...] First off, there is a loss of cultural history and identity with the loss of traditional neighborhoods. The most prevalent and dramatic example of this is the bulldozing of Chinese hutongs in favor of modern neighborhoods. Hutongs are the traditional form of Chinese community and are comprised of many siheyuan, which are homes built around a central courtyard. Hutongs house very close-knit communities who are identically Chinese. Magical Urbanism has a great post on the disappearing hutongs that really encompasses my feelings on the issue. Modern architecture and estranged communities are replacing hutongs; the loss of traditional Chinese culture is leading to a diminished sense of cultural identity for Chinese citizens. [...]

By: Marcelino Pena

Marcelino Pena — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 16:33:30 +0000

I love this article. The west’s version of urban living seems to be spreading all across the world especially in highly industrial areas. It doesn’t make sense to develop in a manner that is not only toxic to individuals but also to the environment. Its so unfortunate that the ideals of China have not taken the account of sustainable development and unfortunately use the west as lessons for their own industrialization.

Thank you so much for doing this work. I find the whole world thru your pen!

By: zhenzi li

zhenzi li — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 08:49:48 +0000

It seems that all the Chinese people are finding difficulties to choose between the comfort of modernization and the gorgeous tradition….
I’m zhenzi in beijing,welcome to my space,written in Chinese,unfortunately~

By: greg

greg — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 17:07:45 +0000

thanks

You raised some very important thoughts about human rights.

Historical preservation is important for cultural identity, but
if the current one is to live in suffering and discomfort, yo.

I’m also interested in how the new homes are for the health of the
occupants. Often times, older homes have better Indoor Air Quality
than nefangled condos. Adding together fumes from glues, pressboard,
carpeting, and gadgets, things can get pretty toxic.

Keeing it old skool has its advantages, but its nice to hear that people are
happy and feel at though they are flourishing. We’ll see. Pray for the
awakening of a peaceful dragon.

By: Â» Stadtentwicklung in Peking

Â» Stadtentwicklung in Peking — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 14:01:51 +0000

[...] MagicalUrbanism. [...]

By: Sameer

Sameer — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 06:19:31 +0000

I was born and brought up in New Delhi, India. When I look at the last two pictures, there is so much resemblance. The high rise apartment buildings are so very reminiscent of the newer areas of Rohini and Dwarka in the ever-expanding Delhi. I think a very important difference between these two cities is that New Delhi is expanding its territory, and the newer areas are being built up on the high-rise apartment style. There have have been very few, if any, attempts to change the current areas.

Traditionally Delhi residents have lived in a setup similar to hutongs as closely-knit communities with independent houses. Any attempts to change that setup in those areas is met my great amounts of resistance. And, being a democracy, Governments are wary of attracting public ire. Hence the width-wise growth. And I personally feel that it’s great, because you’re giving people the choice to keep what they have or to move to the newer areas and explore the new.