Daily life· village·
Renovation Renovation Daily life· village·
Shenzhen
Making Cities Protagonists, not Gentrification
global CASE ANALYSIS - Nantou Old Town Zijian(Alex) Xu M.S.AUD 24'
Concerned Citizen Community Resident
"Having seen the site in June, the architectural solutions are well-executed, integrating seamlessly with the historical context and bustling with activity. Yet, the maintenance seems lacking, with trash and broken items scattered around. It raises concerns about the ongoing care and management of the space."
"The recent urban renewal on the main street has definitely made the area more appealing and clean, but it's also driven up rents significantly. Many of us who have lived here for years are finding it increasingly difficult to afford the rising costs. It feels like we're being pushed out of our own neighborhood to make way for wealthier tenants and tourists."
Urban Designer 'Biennale' Exhibitio Curators
From a designer’s perspective, the Nantou project was a fantastic opportunity to showcase innovative urban renewal methods. However, the real success of such projects should be measured not just by architectural aesthetics or short-term economic boosts, but by how they serve the community in the long run. "
"In June, I revisited the project site and appreciated how the design interacts with the old town's fabric, attracting many to the locale. However, the presence of litter like broken glass and cans suggested a decline in post-event care, which is concerning for the sustainability of the project."
Nantou Old Town
1. SITE HISTORY
The Nantou Old Town in the city center of Shenzhen, China was founded as a city over 1,700 years ago starting from the Jin Dynasty. In the past century, the ancient town has gradually vanished, while the village was constantly expanding. The exacerbation of urbanization in Shenzhen has resulted in an intertwined layering with complex pattern of the historical town embedded in the urban village, which is again encircled by the city—“village in city, city in village”.
As historic root of Shenzhen, Nantou ancient town have experienced various vicissitudes of life, how will it face the challenge and changes in the new century.
Old Town Fortess
In the 27th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1394 AD), the Dongguan Guard Garrison Headquarters was established in Nantou.
In the first year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1573 AD), Xin’an County was established, covering the present-day regions of Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and other areas.
In the eighth year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1669 AD), the Qing government reinstated Xin’an County, with its seat still located in Nantou.
Since the mid-1980s, after Shenzhen was designated as a Special Economic Zone, Nantou Ancient City became one of Shenzhen’s many ‘urban villages’ amidst the wave of rapid urbanization.
On October 16, 1949, Nantou was liberated, and the first Bao’an County Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Bao’an County People’s Government were both established in Nantou Ancient City.
Urban Village
2. Case Overview
Shenzhen-Hong Kong Urbanism\ Architecture Bi-City Biennale 2017
Shenzhen has long been portrayed through an urban myth as a “small fishing village” that grew into a prosperous metropolis in less than 40 years; however, Shenzhen was in reality never just a “small fishing village”. Indeed, located in the central area of the city, Nantou Old Town was founded during the Jin Dynasty and served as the political, military, and economic centre of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong region until the founding of the People’s Republic of China; a history that has spanned more than 1700 years. In the past century, the ancient town has gradually vanished, while the village has continuously expanded. The exacerbation of urbanization in Shenzhen has resulted in a complex pattern of a historical town embedded within an urban village, which is again encircled by the modern city.
Nantou as the main venue of the “2017 Shenzhen-Hong Kong Bicity Biennale of Urbanism / Architecture” (UABB) . Different developer sought to reconstruct a public open space system, something very rare in Nantou.
Client: Nanshan District Government, Shenzhen
Location: Nantou Old Town, Shenzhen
The current situation of the component
3. Villages In the City
In the 1980s, following the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, urbanization in Shenzhen was initially led by the government and state-owned enterprises. It was later characterized by a topdown process, with developers playing a significant role under planning guidance. Meanwhile, like other villages surrounded by the expanding city, Nantou Village experienced a parallel yet alternative process of spontaneous urbanization to the external urban world. However, unlike others, this transformation was both constrained by urban pressure and enabled by market demand and policy gaps, under the dual forces of historically bifurcated urban-rural land policies and the growing market economy. This evolution manifested as an informal practice led by village collectives and individuals. The original rule that villagers could only build two-story houses for their own use on homestead land was broken, as self-occupancy was replaced by the market behavior of renting out houses.
With the surge in market demand, villagers further expanded and elevated their small buildings through repeated reconstruction and speculative construction, ultimately filling the homestead land to the maximum extent. This resulted in the formation of high-density ‘handshake buildings’ clusters—a typical spatial pattern prevalent in urban villages across the Pearl River Delta region. Urban villages emerged as unique, alternative urban spaces, economic, and social environments, driven by pure economic rationality and a lack of urban control. They often occupy central locations in the city, offering relatively affordable rental housing and diverse local employment opportunities, becoming temporary buffers and havens for newcomers to adapt to the harsh urban competitive environment.
Today, the significance of urban villages in Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta is far beyond that of rural enclaves surrounded and fragmented by the city. They have long been integrated into the fabric of urban life as ‘urbanized villages.’ More accurately, they represent a ‘third type—city/ village’ distinct from the binary structure of contemporary Chinese cities and villages. They have not only become the ‘entry city’ of choice for new immigrants but have also become an inseparable part of the urban bloodstream, growing alongside the city itself.
Image source: http://www.archcollege.com/archcollege/2018/08/41304.html
4. Urban Design Renovation Practice
Nantou old town’s character is not a culture survival, but a “Space-time cross-section” mix ing by different period building, which is valuable for spatial archaeology. Buildings in different times and lifes in different regions reach equilibrium, the diversity become the greatest feature of the town.
Renew the old town must oble this principle, in the premise of not bring harm to the old town ecology, but put new market status and new life to make it diversified, promote self-update.
At the beginning of 2016, the design and research team of Urbanus started to be involved in the Nantou Preservation and Regeneration Project and concluded that only by respecting the authenticity of the history and cherishing the cultural layers and historical traces of each period of time can we shape a timelessly dynamic urban community rooted in local history and culture.
We see today’s Nantou not as an old historic town in the traditional sense, but as a historical heritage town, which carries on the history and culture of nearly two thousand years, and which preserves the spatial, social and cultural heritage of Shenzhen across every historical period. It is the only precious sample of Shenzhen’s urban culture that displays both the Millennium culture heritage a long side all optical spectral juxtaposition of China’s rapid urbanization over the last three decades. Image
Exhibition Narrative Analysis Diagram
Historical building age analysis diagram
4. Urban Design Renovation Practice
During the renovation of the main venue, the design team selected a great variety of spaces and tailored to, including factory buildingsin village embedded in city, streets, squares, residential buildings, historical buildings, and parks. We hope through renovation for exhibition spaces and architecture, art with organized events interventions, to bring an alternative experimental opportunity for the regeneration of Nantou Old Town and the renovation of villages in urban in general. Intervening the current urban renewal process in the way of “urban organized exhibition”, is a long-term strategy for the incremental improvement of urban spaces and the quality of urban life.
Building Axis Side Drawing
Building Axis Side Drawing
Community Resident Concerned Citizen
I've visited Nantou Old Town a few times since the Biennale, and the architectural design looked impressive, blending nicely with the local environment. However, the lack of maintenance and cleanliness is disappointing, with litter and broken bottles scattered around. The gentrification seems to be displacing the old residents, as the rents rise and trendy cafes and boutiques replace traditional shops. It's a stark reminder that urban renewal must balance modernization with inclusivity to avoid pushing out the community that made the area special.
The recent urban renewal on the main street has definitely made the area more appealing and clean, but it's also driven up rents significantly. Many of us who have lived here for years are finding it increasingly difficult to afford the rising costs. It feels like we're being pushed out of our own neighborhood to make way for wealthier tenants and tourists.
What was once a close-knit community is changing, with familiar shops replaced by trendy cafes and art spaces. While I appreciate the improvements, it doesn't feel like these changes are for us.
Urban Regeneration Designer
Having seen the site in June, the architectural solutions are well-executed, integrating seamlessly with the historical context while providing vibrant new public spaces. Yet, the maintenance seems lacking, with trash and broken items scattered around, and I'm concerned about the long-term sustainability of these efforts. Projects like these should ideally maintain a delicate balance between innovation and the socio-cultural needs of the existing community. I'm particularly worried that the gentrification resulting from these changes could lead to the displacement of long-term residents.
'Biennale' Exhibitio Curators
As a curator, integrating Nantou Old Town into the Biennale was aimed at revitalizing the area through art and architecture.
The design interacts well with the old town's fabric, attracting many visitors to the locale and bringing a fresh perspective. However, the presence of litter like broken glass and cans suggested a decline in postevent care, which is concerning for the sustainability of the project.
Additionally, it remains a challenge to ensure that these interventions not only draw tourists but also meaningfully enhance the lives of the local residents. Moving forward, we need a stronger focus on community integration and long-term maintenance.
Todd
Jenny Jacky
Ken
6.Conflict and Development
Nantou Old Town’s selection as the venue for the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Biennale brought a wave of renowned architects and new brands to the area. The exhibition introduced a comprehensive signage system, and the architects’ creative adaptations to the Biennale’s theme and environment transformed the town impressively. High-end serviced apartments and developers like Vanke moved in, giving the main streets a polished, vibrant look.
But when you step off the main street into the surrounding urban villages, there’s a stark disconnect. The living conditions and architectural spaces in the urban villages contrast sharply with the curated environment of the Biennale venue. This divide raises important questions about urban renewal and its impact on Nantou Old Town.
Conflict and Spatial Fragmentation:
However, a stark disconnect emerges when you move off the main street into the surrounding urban villages. The Biennale venue feels distinctly separate from the neighboring urban villages, where the architectural spaces and living conditions stand in sharp contrast to the curated environment of the exhibition. This spatial fragmentation raises critical questions about the long-term impact of urban renewal on Nantou Old Town.
Development vs. Displacement:
The Biennale undoubtedly brought international attention to Nantou Old Town, increasing its appeal and attracting new businesses. The improvements to infrastructure and new architectural additions have given the town a modern, fresh appearance. But this rapid development has come at a cost. The increased rents and rising cost of living have made it difficult for long-term residents to stay in their homes. Local businesses were replaced by trendy cafes and boutiques, leading to a sense of displacement and alienation among the established community.
Sustainability and Inclusivity:
Urban renewal projects like this often bring surface-level improvements, but their sustainability is questionable. The Biennale’s focus on aesthetics and attracting tourists appears to overshadow the socio-economic needs of the existing community. The lack of integration between the revitalized main street and the urban villages demonstrates that urban renewal must balance modernization with inclusivity and sustainability.
Gentrification and Urban Spaces:
Nantou Old Town illustrates the delicate relationship between cultural events and urban spaces. While the Biennale brought cultural enrichment and global recognition, it also accelerated gentrification, leading to a loss of social fabric and identity within the local community. This raises crucial questions about the role of cultural exhibitions in sustainable urban development and their potential to create spatial fragmentation and exclusion.
Critical Reflection
:
In conclusion, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Biennale put Nantou Old Town on the global cultural map, but its legacy is mixed. The event highlighted the conflict between development and displacement, bringing to the forefront the risks of gentrification. The spatial fragmentation between the Biennale venue and the surrounding urban villages serves as a reminder that urban renewal must be approached with critical thinking. It’s vital to ensure thoughtful planning that balances modernization with inclusivity and sustainability, ensuring that urban regeneration benefits everyone involved.
Aerial night photography of the ancient city of Nantou
“Global”
Flash in the pan
Shenzhen Guangdong