Spotlight On: New Life in Hutongs

Location: Jingshan District of Beijing, China / Project by: Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning and Design Institute

The Jingshan District is a traditional block in the old city of Beijing. Historically, the Hutongs (narrow streets commonly associated with Beijing) have provided significant public spaces for the residents of the city. Since the middle of the 20th century, the rapid increase in population, cars and private property have reduced the Hutongs to congested parking areas.

This project explores the possibility of landscape architecture intervening in traditional high-density urban centres. Through extensive research, the team collected and analysed data from local residents and organisations to study the public use of these spaces.

During this research period, the designers selected various sites for the design of ‘micro-spaces’, which would include gardens, squares, playgrounds and installations. In these chosen microspaces, they created temporary developments and facilities.

Soon local residents were requesting permanent refurbishments and expressing their hopes that similar renovation designs would be instigated in the wider area.

The project reimagines the traditional urban area of the Hutongs. It aims to revive and provide a sustainable renewal of the public space with a scheme which could be replicated across Beijing.