Modernity of Chinese urban neighborhoods : toward new spatial forms

Abstract

There is always a general dilemma about how to balance technology and humanity in urban neighborhood development. Modem technology creates many new spatial forms for Chinese urban neighborhoods, but it also destroys many traditional fundamental characteristics. Because of lacking systemic analysis tools, ignoring ecologically sustainable development and mechanically copying some models from the West, many Chinese urban neighborhoods completely have lost their traditional characteristics. This has been a common phenomenon in contemporary China from 1840. Through reviewing current social-economic environment in China, studying advanced foreign methods of modem urban neighborhood development, and searching solutions from native practices, this thesis attempts to identify the problems met by Chinese contemporary urban neighborhood development, explore research on new spatial forms which fit modem Chinese urban neighborhoods, and set up some possible design strategies.