Architecture symbiosis--a study of cultural synthesis : urban design proposal for Boston Chinatown

Abstract

The present thesis will focus on the role of culture in architecture and urbanism. The new environment should represent the identity of its inhabitants and the coherence of existing urban context. Architecture and urban setting will play the role of mediator in order to achieve the cultural synthesis of the built environment. Boston Chinatown is the fourth largest Chinese neighborhood in the United States. This unique community represents part of Boston's rich and culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. For most of the Asian community in the greater Boston area, Boston Chinatown serves as the prominent center of economic, social and cultural activity. Situated in the center of Boston, many proposals have been made the revitalization of Boston Chinatown. However, these previous proposals only responded to the physical problems and focused on partial development guideline, neglecting the importance of cultural issues as well as the relationship between Chinatown and the rest of the city. Three issues are of primary importance in the design process of this thesis: 1) investigation and analysis of the existing urban context in a city scale to study Chinatown in its strategic location within Boston, 2) utilization of the Chinese urban design principles as a tool to define the identity for Chinatown's habitants, 3) the synthesis between Chinese design principles and western urban context.