Nexus of indeterminacy

Abstract

Every year, China experiences the largest human migration in history during the 40 days of Chinese New Year (Chun Yun). It is a period when migrant workers travel from coastal industrial cities to inland rural areas for family gatherings. Just in 2012, over 235 million people migrated across the country during such short extent of event. In Guangzhou, an industrial city in China, the main rail station handles passengers of 900,000 in one week. Due to the large volume of passengers and infrequent train rides under severe winter condition, these passengers are detained for as long as a week. Waiting conditions are often harsh. Large scale of human and traffic congestions are resulted and mobility within city is greatly disturbed. An expansion of rail infrastructure and station is crucial during the high travel season. At the same time, China is experiencing a transitional economy as it is entering a post-industrial development. There is a huge need for the country to initiate a new kind of economy for further growth. Rail stations are often crucial in drawing economical developments to cities. This thesis investigates the indeterminate nature of rail stations which serves as a double agent: managing the sudden flux of Chun Yun and becoming an economical development initiator in the post Chun Yun period.