So fascinated by the dusk sky, the wonder of nature
JeremyShanghai upon the Sea
December 23rd, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
“One City, Nine Towns” : Suburbanization of Shanghai
1986
Closely linked to the strategies of urbanization, Shanghai would only actually develop during the latter half of last century. In 1986, the General Plan had indicated that Shanghai was to be subdivided into four urban structures: Central City, Satellite Town, Urban Village and Regulatory Town. At that time, there were a total of 7 satellite towns proposed: Minhang, Wujin, Anting, Jiading, Songjiang, Wusong and Jinshan. The concept of a Satellite Town, being further away from the city, is the place for the Central City to take off in its development as motivated by enterprising businesses. For instance, Baoshan relied on steel industry whereas Jinshan on petro-chemical industry. These developed satellite cities were but detrimental to urban development in general. The enterprises were the driving forces while local governments had remained passive in their roles of urban developments. The satellite cities were not planned as wished.
Early 1990s
By early 1990s, the previous urban planning was assessed and found that satellite town model was deemed not ideal. The “two-tier government, two-tier administration” was the new governance structure at that time. District governments had their administrative hegemonies enhanced over their governing districts within their territories. The administrative structure had influenced the planning system as well for these satellite cities could not actively motivate urbanization. A new approach out of this, the proposed Satellite Town was revised as the New City concept.
Before the concept of New City, Major City with supportive Minor Cities was the proposal. Later on, it was learned that the 21st century Shanghai should be a city with country side taken as one. An integrated urban-country system should be the complementary structure made up of Major City – Medium City – Small City. They should not be conceptually divided into major or minor cities. In new round of General Plan revision, hence, new structure of New City and Central City was proposed. The 11 new cities were Baoshan, Jiading, Nanqiao, Minhang, Qingpu, Songjiang, Chengqiao, Jinshan, Haigang New City, Huinan and Konggang New City; while central cities were structurally some towns in general - all in the hope for an orderly and comprehensive structure of Shanghai urbanization.
In early 1990s, four optimal developments - to optimize environmental quality, layout, structure and infrastructure - were proposed aiming at central cities. Since problems - traffic congestion, irrational structure and poor infrastructure - were only found in central cities, suburbs were not taken into consideration when General Plan of Central Cities was to be made adjustment. But the problems of central city were due to uncoordinated developments between city and suburbs. Central cities could not be exclusively discussed and this would only further deform developments. When leaders of the Municipal Shanghai had realized the problems by 1994, the Municipal Committee and Municipal Government had decided not to make revision upon the General Plan but a new General Plan of New Cities was proposed.
1997
In 1997, a new municipal government had taken over. This new government proposed “an integrated regional strength with backup by the suburbs for the prosperity of central cities.” During Theoretical Discussion Meeting, changes in tactical direction were again clarified; the developments of new city and suburbs were stressed.
The tactical changes had effectuated rapid developments of suburbs. Then, it was not to mind over how Anting being a significant place would not develop for a decade. From Shanghai’s urban development viewpoints, the primary breakthrough for central city developments was the infrastructures; the 15/30/60 was proposed for highway developments. After the highway network was completed, highways shall be able to be accessed in a matter of 15 minutes by the primary industries, towns, traffic hubs and travelers centers. Provincial boundary should be able to be accessed in 30 minutes by the central cities and new cities (including provincial cities) and accessible within 60 minutes in between two random points of highway network.
Late 1980s and early 1990s
Next, breakthroughs were also made by industrial developments. In between late 1980s and early 1990s, the industrial lands of suburban villages and towns were about 20 acres in scale, while the current industrial land use of suburbs is 20 Km2 and even bigger. This generated accumulative efficiencies and energy savings, or industries with lower structural system could be upgraded and changed into industrial use, by incrementally changing the distribution of industrial developments.
Of course, problems were also found during the process of accumulation. For e.g., farmers collectively owned the land but every farming group and every village was not willing to invest their projects into other areas. There would be a due process from planning to implementation in order to truly achieve development efforts in accumulation. The current development trend is considered good for major effect was felt at the industrial areas of Songjiang and Minhang, etc. It can be said that the policies of “two-tier government, two-tier administration” had effectuated activities in every provincial districts. Town developments especially Songjiang, Minhang, Baoshan and Anting, etc. were pivoted by industries. With faster developments in provincial areas, the level of investment by merchants was higher.
Another problem, the assimilated development style of new city or one singular style for different cities, was revealed from the above mentioned process. As such, experimental cities were proposed before developing the new city (considered as old town redevelopment when it was too late). This was to diversify the characteristics of small towns, in turn, to further motivate suburb developments. An exemplary city is the Songjiang New City while exemplary districts include Anting of Jiading, Luodian of Baoshan, Zhujiajiao of Qingpu, Fengjin of Jinshan, Pujiang of Minhang, Gaoqiao of Pudong, Zhoupu of Nanhui, Fengcheng of Fengxian, Baozhen of Chongming. Hereby was the policy of “One City Nine Towns” concept.
“One City, Nine Towns”
There were many debates over “One City, Nine Towns.” When considering allowing for foreign agencies to participate in design, the question of development was whether in foreign style and not Chinese. Speaking from Shanghai in general, it is primarily due to its recent historical development that is regarded as the Shanghainese style. For what was compatible, the characteristics of Shanghainese cultures were derived from all over. Also, the general historical characteristics especially the architectural styles of these suburbs were stressed upon when deriving foreign design styles. Therefore, architectural characteristics and design approach were induced into “One City, Nine Towns” but a little different from other towns in their environmental quality, characteristics and architectural styles. Only a minor part was made up of the exclusive foreign style, for e.g., the Songjiang New City is 41 Km2 in area while only 1 Km2 was used in developing with original foreign style as in the current Thames Town. Yet, this original style was different from the microscopic world view; for example, Thames Town is a genuine estate project for one can live within it. Of the “One City, Nine Towns,” it is not entirely foreign in style since historically and culturally rich Zhujiajiao is an ancient town of regional Jiangnan characteristic. Its peripheral area is also of the same style.
The objective of experimental “One City Nine Towns” had its definitive directive before suburbanization commenced. It strived to generate diversity. Since it would be developed, it is an asset that concurrently provides the general residents a brand new and good living environment.
It should be said that “One City, Nine Towns” is an experiment of urban development; it is hard to say whether it is an affirmative or unfavorable development. An experiment is to experiment, to explore new territory and from its lessons summarized to promote further developments.
It is to experiment “One City, Nine Towns” on its planning and implementation mechanism. At that time, it was obvious that Municipal Government was to be responsible for Songjiang development. Later, it was changed and District Government actively took over the responsibilities. Songjiang New City was developed by the latter together with the former. The headquarters of Shanghai Volkswagen and alike are located in Anting, the Auto Town of Shanghai. Whereas, the District Government formed an investment company to plan in overall the Hongqiao Development Area with a diverse type of development model.
The question of experimentation was highly controversial at the time of decision making for development was not in the New City. For instance, Baoshan was stressed on New City development, yet Luodian was not located within the Baoshan New City. There might be tactical conflicts in developing Baoshan New City when keeping experimentation in Luodian. Indeed, many were thinking of keeping developments inside the New City. From long term projection, it is not feasible for suburbs to depend on development of 11 new cities. Both New City and Central City exert their radiating influences. The experiments were not only carried out in New City but also in Central City. Luodian was developed to keep Central City from radiating its developments beyond the outer rink but in the direction of the central cities like a core development. In this way, there would be many central cities and not only 11 new cities within the range of Municipal Shanghai. Hence, Songjiang was the only one selected as the experimental new city. The rest of central cities were not found located within those original district governments. In order to effectuate a comprehensive development with balanced selection, a New City was developed within the 6,300 Km2 areas.
Translated partly from Suburbs of Shanghai Crossing the Century: An interview with Xia Liqing, former director of Shanghai Urban Planning Bureau, Ideal Space, 2005.6, V.9, Shanghai Tongji University Press, pp006-007.
Note: When found this article, I thought it generally revealed what were going on in the last several decades before I am now frequently attached within this sphere of professional development; therefore, a translation above is deemed critical for me, for many and alike, for information purpose to begin with.
Jeremy
Shanghai upon the Sea
December 23rd, 2008
Closely linked to the strategies of urbanization, Shanghai would only actually develop during the latter half of last century. In 1986, the General Plan had indicated that Shanghai was to be subdivided into four urban structures: Central City, Satellite Town, Urban Village and Regulatory Town. At that time, there were a total of 7 satellite towns proposed: Minhang, Wujin, Anting, Jiading, Songjiang, Wusong and Jinshan. The concept of a Satellite Town, being further away from the city, is the place for the Central City to take off in its development as motivated by enterprising businesses. For instance, Baoshan relied on steel industry whereas Jinshan on petro-chemical industry. These developed satellite cities were but detrimental to urban development in general. The enterprises were the driving forces while local governments had remained passive in their roles of urban developments. The satellite cities were not planned as wished.
Early 1990s
By early 1990s, the previous urban planning was assessed and found that satellite town model was deemed not ideal. The “two-tier government, two-tier administration” was the new governance structure at that time. District governments had their administrative hegemonies enhanced over their governing districts within their territories. The administrative structure had influenced the planning system as well for these satellite cities could not actively motivate urbanization. A new approach out of this, the proposed Satellite Town was revised as the New City concept.
Before the concept of New City, Major City with supportive Minor Cities was the proposal. Later on, it was learned that the 21st century Shanghai should be a city with country side taken as one. An integrated urban-country system should be the complementary structure made up of Major City – Medium City – Small City. They should not be conceptually divided into major or minor cities. In new round of General Plan revision, hence, new structure of New City and Central City was proposed. The 11 new cities were Baoshan, Jiading, Nanqiao, Minhang, Qingpu, Songjiang, Chengqiao, Jinshan, Haigang New City, Huinan and Konggang New City; while central cities were structurally some towns in general - all in the hope for an orderly and comprehensive structure of Shanghai urbanization.
In early 1990s, four optimal developments - to optimize environmental quality, layout, structure and infrastructure - were proposed aiming at central cities. Since problems - traffic congestion, irrational structure and poor infrastructure - were only found in central cities, suburbs were not taken into consideration when General Plan of Central Cities was to be made adjustment. But the problems of central city were due to uncoordinated developments between city and suburbs. Central cities could not be exclusively discussed and this would only further deform developments. When leaders of the Municipal Shanghai had realized the problems by 1994, the Municipal Committee and Municipal Government had decided not to make revision upon the General Plan but a new General Plan of New Cities was proposed.
1997
In 1997, a new municipal government had taken over. This new government proposed “an integrated regional strength with backup by the suburbs for the prosperity of central cities.” During Theoretical Discussion Meeting, changes in tactical direction were again clarified; the developments of new city and suburbs were stressed.
The tactical changes had effectuated rapid developments of suburbs. Then, it was not to mind over how Anting being a significant place would not develop for a decade. From Shanghai’s urban development viewpoints, the primary breakthrough for central city developments was the infrastructures; the 15/30/60 was proposed for highway developments. After the highway network was completed, highways shall be able to be accessed in a matter of 15 minutes by the primary industries, towns, traffic hubs and travelers centers. Provincial boundary should be able to be accessed in 30 minutes by the central cities and new cities (including provincial cities) and accessible within 60 minutes in between two random points of highway network.
Late 1980s and early 1990s
Next, breakthroughs were also made by industrial developments. In between late 1980s and early 1990s, the industrial lands of suburban villages and towns were about 20 acres in scale, while the current industrial land use of suburbs is 20 Km2 and even bigger. This generated accumulative efficiencies and energy savings, or industries with lower structural system could be upgraded and changed into industrial use, by incrementally changing the distribution of industrial developments.
Of course, problems were also found during the process of accumulation. For e.g., farmers collectively owned the land but every farming group and every village was not willing to invest their projects into other areas. There would be a due process from planning to implementation in order to truly achieve development efforts in accumulation. The current development trend is considered good for major effect was felt at the industrial areas of Songjiang and Minhang, etc. It can be said that the policies of “two-tier government, two-tier administration” had effectuated activities in every provincial districts. Town developments especially Songjiang, Minhang, Baoshan and Anting, etc. were pivoted by industries. With faster developments in provincial areas, the level of investment by merchants was higher.
Another problem, the assimilated development style of new city or one singular style for different cities, was revealed from the above mentioned process. As such, experimental cities were proposed before developing the new city (considered as old town redevelopment when it was too late). This was to diversify the characteristics of small towns, in turn, to further motivate suburb developments. An exemplary city is the Songjiang New City while exemplary districts include Anting of Jiading, Luodian of Baoshan, Zhujiajiao of Qingpu, Fengjin of Jinshan, Pujiang of Minhang, Gaoqiao of Pudong, Zhoupu of Nanhui, Fengcheng of Fengxian, Baozhen of Chongming. Hereby was the policy of “One City Nine Towns” concept.
“One City, Nine Towns”
There were many debates over “One City, Nine Towns.” When considering allowing for foreign agencies to participate in design, the question of development was whether in foreign style and not Chinese. Speaking from Shanghai in general, it is primarily due to its recent historical development that is regarded as the Shanghainese style. For what was compatible, the characteristics of Shanghainese cultures were derived from all over. Also, the general historical characteristics especially the architectural styles of these suburbs were stressed upon when deriving foreign design styles. Therefore, architectural characteristics and design approach were induced into “One City, Nine Towns” but a little different from other towns in their environmental quality, characteristics and architectural styles. Only a minor part was made up of the exclusive foreign style, for e.g., the Songjiang New City is 41 Km2 in area while only 1 Km2 was used in developing with original foreign style as in the current Thames Town. Yet, this original style was different from the microscopic world view; for example, Thames Town is a genuine estate project for one can live within it. Of the “One City, Nine Towns,” it is not entirely foreign in style since historically and culturally rich Zhujiajiao is an ancient town of regional Jiangnan characteristic. Its peripheral area is also of the same style.
The objective of experimental “One City Nine Towns” had its definitive directive before suburbanization commenced. It strived to generate diversity. Since it would be developed, it is an asset that concurrently provides the general residents a brand new and good living environment.
It should be said that “One City, Nine Towns” is an experiment of urban development; it is hard to say whether it is an affirmative or unfavorable development. An experiment is to experiment, to explore new territory and from its lessons summarized to promote further developments.
It is to experiment “One City, Nine Towns” on its planning and implementation mechanism. At that time, it was obvious that Municipal Government was to be responsible for Songjiang development. Later, it was changed and District Government actively took over the responsibilities. Songjiang New City was developed by the latter together with the former. The headquarters of Shanghai Volkswagen and alike are located in Anting, the Auto Town of Shanghai. Whereas, the District Government formed an investment company to plan in overall the Hongqiao Development Area with a diverse type of development model.
The question of experimentation was highly controversial at the time of decision making for development was not in the New City. For instance, Baoshan was stressed on New City development, yet Luodian was not located within the Baoshan New City. There might be tactical conflicts in developing Baoshan New City when keeping experimentation in Luodian. Indeed, many were thinking of keeping developments inside the New City. From long term projection, it is not feasible for suburbs to depend on development of 11 new cities. Both New City and Central City exert their radiating influences. The experiments were not only carried out in New City but also in Central City. Luodian was developed to keep Central City from radiating its developments beyond the outer rink but in the direction of the central cities like a core development. In this way, there would be many central cities and not only 11 new cities within the range of Municipal Shanghai. Hence, Songjiang was the only one selected as the experimental new city. The rest of central cities were not found located within those original district governments. In order to effectuate a comprehensive development with balanced selection, a New City was developed within the 6,300 Km2 areas.
Translated partly from Suburbs of Shanghai Crossing the Century: An interview with Xia Liqing, former director of Shanghai Urban Planning Bureau, Ideal Space, 2005.6, V.9, Shanghai Tongji University Press, pp006-007.
Note: When found this article, I thought it generally revealed what were going on in the last several decades before I am now frequently attached within this sphere of professional development; therefore, a translation above is deemed critical for me, for many and alike, for information purpose to begin with.
Jeremy
Shanghai upon the Sea
December 23rd, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Pigeon House
Rather surprised to see this 5-story building stick out with its pigeon house topping it when walking by Wuzhou Road and on the way back to Hailun Road Metro Station on Sunday. If large enough to be occupied, this can be some pseudo or hybrid-Victorian style for this region. This also reflects that enough is never enough mentality of the local folks.
Jeremy
Shanghai upon the Sea
December 20th, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
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