The Retrieval of Memory :
Holding Time in the Shanghai
Gasometers
Thesis 2021 Liman Wei
The Retrieval of Memory :
Holding Time in the Shanghai
Gasometers
The Retrieval of Memory : Holding Time in the Shanghai Gasometers
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Design in Interior Studies [Adaptive Reuse] in the Department of Interior Architecture of the Rhode Island School of Design By Liman Wei 2021
Approved by Master’s Examination Committee:
Jonathan Bell Critic, Department
of Interior Architecture, Thesis Advisor
Markus Berger Professor, Department of Interior Architecture, Primary Thesis Advisor Julia Bernert Critic, Department of Interior Architecture, Thesis Advisor Jongwan Kwon Critic, Department of Interior Architecture, Secondary Thesis Advisor
Copyright © 2021 by Liman Wei All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Francesca Liuni Assistant Professor, Department of Interior Architecture, Thesis Advisor & Thesis Chair Liliane Wong Department Head, Department of Interior Architecture
Dedicate to my mom and dad who support me to finish my study in RISD. I will remember all the happiness we have and the hardship we overcome together. Special thanks to my friends Weilin Gui and Lingxiao Wang, Yuan Jin, Woohee Kim, Sherry Xiao, Zheli Wang and Yuchen Cao, Qianhua Lu, Longwen Wei to support along this long journey!
Acknowledgments
Ernesto Aparicio Critic, Department of Graphic Design, Consultant: Graphic Design Nick Heywood Critic, Department of Interior Architecture, Advisor: Writing and Thesis Book Paul Mayencourt Critic, UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design, Consultant: Structure and Materials Stephen Turner Critic, Department of Interior Architecture, Consultant: Energy, Systems and Sustainability Adam Anderson Critic, Department of Landscape Architecture, Advisor: Landscape
Contents
01 Abstract
01
02 Background of Shanghai Industry
04
03 Yangshupu Industrial Zone
07
04 Gasometers I. Current Situation II. History III. Timeline IV. Key Moments V. Typology VI. Site Documentation 05 Cultural Impact I. The Concept of Memory II. Interviews III. Movie Studies IV. Shanghai 2035 Urban Plan V. User Group & Program 06 Design Proposal I. Urban Intervention II. Host Intervention III. Landscape Strategy 07 Reference I. Annotated Bibliography II. Image Credit
11 14 19 21 23 25
32 35 40 54 59
61 63 81
89 93
Abstract
Shanghai was primarily an industrial city from the 19th century to the 20th century. By serving as a carrier of time, the past industrial architecture in Shanghai is invested with the collective memory of its past inhabitants. Now that Shanghai has entered the post-industrial period, according to the Shanghai 2035 Urban Plan, the Yangshupu Industrial Zone will be transformed into a new Central Activity Zone.1 As a result of this plan, old residential neighborhoods nearby will be demolished and replaced by new high-rise residential buildings. The relationship between old residential areas and industrial buildings will be uprooted. Memories of industry will fade over time. The gasometers located in Yangshupu Industrial Zone condense the memory of industrial work over that period. Today they have fallen inactive, becoming silent symbols. Is it possible to reconstruct a place within the gasometers for the old residents, new residents and younger generation to learn or retrieve the spirits of the industrial memory in Shanghai? How do you save the industrial memory? What is the relationship between the new community and the industrial buildings? By reorienting the gasometer in the context of modern time and space, these industrial ‘symbols’ will communicate meaning: The gasometers can be a place for old and new Shanghai residents and the younger generation to know and inherit their past. Adaptive reuse of the gasometers is a stand against the erasure of historical memory through high-speed development. The gasometers will be containers of time.
01/02
not only reconstructs the past but it also organizes the experience of the present and the future.” 2 By including the community centers, the gasometers also provide an opportunity to the old Shanghai residents, new Shanghai residents of the surrounding residential towers and the younger generation without industrial heritage, to share their memories and develop community trust and intimacy. Memory nourishes self-identity and social-identity. The individual will reconstruct their self-identity and social-identity in this place of memory. In this way, the residents of Shanghai will be rooted to the land. By protecting the historical value of the Shanghai gasometers and connecting the community to the city's industrial history, the future will be built with a better understanding of the past.
1. “Shanghai 2035 Urban Plan,” Shanghai Government, Accessed December 10, 2020, http://ghzyj.sh.gov.cn/cmsres/37/37cdf74da6804c58a3a82606221841c6/8c9619121c39419d97f4ce60fc5da82 2.pdf . 2. Jan Assmann, Cultural Memory and Early Civilization: Writing,
As Jan Assmann wrote,“ ... collective memory operates simultaneously in two directions: backward and forward. It
Remembrance, and Political Imagination (United States of America: Cambridge, 2011), 28.
03/04
Background of Shanghai Industry Shanghai is located on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River. The Huangpu River flows through the city. With a population of 26.32 million, Shanghai is a center for finance, technology, manufacturing, and transportation. The port of Shanghai is the world’s busiest container port. 3
Shanghai
Until the mid 20th century, Shanghai was China’s largest industrial center. After the Opium War in 1840, Shanghai became one of the five open ports specified in the Nanjing Treaty. In the late 1930s, its foreign trade amounted to half of China’s total, Shanghai also contributed to more than half of China’s modern industry.4 3. “Shanghai,” Wikipedia, Accessed December 12, 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai . 4. “History of Industries in Shanghai,” Encyclopedia, Accessed November 15, 2020, https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/international-magazines/history-industries-shanghai .
Background of Shanghai Industry
05/06
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the city’s economic focus has shifted. In 2013, many industrial buildings have been relocated to suburban areas.
The Worker Model Huang BaoMei in Shanghai No.17 Textile Factory in 1950s
Diagram: The Relocation of Shanghai Factories
An Old Empty Factory in Modern Shanghai Image: Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, Image: Qiu Rongxu and Wei Xu and John Zhang, “The Transformation of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I .
Urban Industrial Land Use: A Quantitative Method,” Journal of Urban
Image: Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50,
Management 4, no.4 (2015): 49.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I .
Yangshupu Industrial Zone
07/08
The Yangshupu Industrial Zone has the advantage of shipping and delivering because it is close to the Huangpu River. This lead to the Yangshupu Industrial Zone became the cradle of Shanghai’s modern industry, and soon became the resource gathering place for the residents nearby. However, after the railway and highway built in China, river transportation has been substituted by the road transportation. The Yangshupu Industrial Zone has lost its characteristics and advantages. 6
Yangshupu Industrial Zone, sitting along the Huangpu River, starting from Qinhuangdao Road from west, Liping Road from east, saw the history of Shanghai’s modern industry. 5 Since Yangshupu Road was built in 19th century, factories began to appear in this area. During the 50 years from the 1880s to the 1930s, the industry flourished in Yangshupu Zone, especially the light industry and municipal industry. Until 1949, the hundreds of factories contribute 20% GDP of Shanghai and 5% GDP of China. The China’s earliest industrial paper mill, the largest dock, the first modern water factory, the earliest gas factory, GE’s first factory in China have been built in this area.
5. “Everyone Knows This Big Road,” Yangpu Shanghai, Accessed October 18, 2020, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/oj3QDSiedNfgG99DB-7jUA . 6. “Seeing Through Shanghai, the Industrial Traces of Shanghai Yangshupu Zone,” Seeing Through Shanghai, Accessed October 18, 2020, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rp-DZNJORQiJvTGt19NGBw .
Yangshupu Industrial Zone
09/10
Longchang Road
Huangpu River
Yangshupu Gasometers
Gasometers
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Current Situation
Huangpu River
Shanghai Gas Company was located at No. 2524, Yangshupu Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai. The original buildings of Yangshupu Gas Factory have been demolished. Two gasometers and several office buildings are left in the site, which are listed as Heritage Architecture of Shanghai in 2016. 7
Huangpu River
Image: “Shanghai Gas Company’s Yangshupu Factory—Witness the Prosperity and Decline of Shanghai Gas Supply, Promoting the Develop-
7. “Shanghai Heritage Architecture,” Wikipedia, Accessed December 10,
ment and Reform of Shanghai Gas Work,” Kandian News, Accessed
2020, https://zh.wikipe-
December 15, 2020, https://kuaibao.qq.com/s/20191101A0AK-
dia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E5%B8%82%E4%BC%98%E7%A7
WS00?refer=spider&sec_share=sec_share .
%80%E5%8E%86%E5%8F%B2%E5%BB%BA%E7%AD%91 .
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Gasometers History The first gasometer in Shanghai was established in 1863, which belonged to Shanghai Gas Company. The Shanghai Gas Company copied the English way of lighting the bulb by adopting the carbonizing stove technique. The Shanghai Gas Company was originally located in Xizang Road. It covers the area of 30 acres. By 1934, considering the increasing need of coal gas, and the easier access to resources, Shanghai Gas Company moved to Yangshupu Zone, and it has the history from 1934-2015. Before Shanghai was supplied with the coal gas, people had to used traditional oil lights or candles for the interior lighting. After the establishment of Shanghai Gas Company, the outdoor lighting had been lit by the coal gas. In 1935, Shanghai replaced gas lighting to electricity lighting. So, Shanghai Gas Company shift its direction to the family cooking and heating. The original gasometer of Shanghai Gas Company in Xizang Road had been changed into a local gasometer for the storage of coal gas. 8
8. “Shanghai Gas Company’s Yangshupu Factory—Witness the Prosperity and Decline of Shanghai Gas Supply, Promoting the Development and Reform of Shanghai Gas Work,” Kandian News, Accessed Dec 15, 2020, https://kuaibao.qq.com/s/20191101A0AKWS00?refer=spider .
Gasometers
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History During the heyday of Shanghai coal gas, there were up to 22 gasometers in the urban zone. The gasometer is like a balloon, which can go upward and downward according to the volume of coal gas in it. It directly reflects the local resident’s gas usage. The local gasometers became the landmarks of Shanghai.
Transmit Through
Steam
Produce
Red Hot Coal
Use For
Gas
In 1990, there were 2.37 million households supplied with coal gas. The city’s coal gas supply has reached up to 1.87 billion cubic meters, and the highest consumption per day has exceeded 8 million cubic meters. 9
Indoor & Outddor Lighting
In 2015, considering the environmental pollution, the government decided to gradually substitute coal gas with natural gas. Then, Yangshupu gasometers have stopped its gas supply.
9. “Shanghai Memories: Upward and Downward Gasometers,” Seeing
Diagram: Simplified Coal Gas Generation Process
Through Shanghai, Accessed November 22, 2020, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D_RHlLvw-l-PKlqUF7zxUg .
Gasometers
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History
Yangshupu Gas Factory
Yangshupu Gasometer
Local Gasometers
Family Cooking & Heating
Local Gasometers in Shanghai Image: “Shanghai Memories: Upward and Downward Gasometers,” Seeing Through Shanghai, Accessed November 22, 2020, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D_RHlLvw-l-PKlqUF7zxUg .
Diagram: Network of Coal Gas Supplies in Shanghai
Image: “Shanghai Memories: Upward and Downward Gasometers,” Seeing Through Shanghai, Accessed November 22, 2020, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D_RHlLvw-l-PKlqUF7zxUg .
Gasometers
19/20
Timeline 1845 In accordance with the Nanjing Treaty, Shanghai and British governments signed the Shanghai Land Regulations, establishing the Shanghai British Concession
1863 British businessmen advocated the production and supply of coal gas in Shanghai and began to raise funds from the society
1865 Shanghai Gas Company (in Xizang Road) began to supply coal gas for city lighting. Shanghai became the first city to use coal gas in Asia
1935 Shanghai Gas Company changed it direction into family cooking and heating because gas lighting was replaced by electric lighting
1870 Gas lighting and oil lighting coexisted in Shanghai, and gas lighting accounted for 50% of outdoor lighting
1936 Western stoves were introduced to Shanghai and gas started to enter into Shanghai households
1881 China started coal mining, and the cost of gas lighting has declined 1882 Shanghai had the first electric light
1864 Shanghai Gas Factory was built on Xizang Road. Various pipes were installed in Shanghai
1934 Shanghai Gas Company moved its factory to Yangshupu Road, and stopped the factory in Xizang Road
1949 The penetration rate of gas in Shanghai households was 1.9%
1950 Shanghai government prepared to build worker residences, coal gas started to enter residents’ home
1966 The penetration rate of gas in Shanghai households reached up to 50%
1983 Shanghai government issued bonds to popularize coal gas
1999 Shanghai residents stopped to use briquettes stoves thoroughly
2004 Shanghai started to introduce natural gas
2015 Coal gas was substituted with natural gas
Gasometers
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Key Moments
1
4
The moment people light up the coal gas stove in kitchen
2
Shanghai Gas Company built its factory near Xizang Road
First gas light appeared in Shanghai in 1865
Shanghai residents were using briquettes stoves to cook in Longtang before coal gas was introduced Image: “City Memory: The 150-Year Development of Shanghai Gas Supply,” Tencent Shanghai, Accessed Feb 2, 2021, https://sh.qq.com/a/20151123/011024.htm#p=4 .
3
Shanghai Gas Company allocated liquefied gas cylinders for the residents
6
5 The bond that Shanghai government issued to purchase coal gas in 1983
Gasometers
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Typology
Spiral-guided gasometer with two lifts in a steel above-ground tank.
Multiple roller carriage which guides the upwards and downwards movement of the spiral gasometer.
Diagram: Schematic of a spiral-guided gasometer with an above-ground tank, showing the internal detail and water level.
The spiral-guided gasometer concept was proposed by Mr W. Webber and invented by Mr William Gadd of Manchester. They were introduced into the UK in 1888. The spiral guide rails engaged with rollers on the edge of the tank in such a manner that the bell moved up and down in a screw-like fashion.10
10. Thomas Russel, Gaswork Profiles (UK: Contaminated Land, 2014), 8-9. Image: Thomas Russel, Gaswork Profiles (UK: Contaminated Land, 2014), 8-9. Image: Thomas Russel, Gaswork Profiles (UK: Contaminated Land, 2014), 8-9. Image: Thomas Russel, Gaswork Profiles (UK: Contaminated Land, 2014), 8-9.
Gasometers
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Site Documentation
Elevation
Plan
N (Unit: Meter)
Diagram: A Perspective Section with Human Figure
Gasometers
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Site Documentation: Structure Plie Cap
Piles
3 Lifts
Tank Plie Cap
Piles
Image: “Structural Inspection, Reuse and Appraisement of Classic Gas Tank,” Lewei Tong, Accessed Feb 2, 2021, https:// jz.docin.com/p-19408639.html&isPay=1 . Image: “Pile Foundations,” Civil Engineering, Accessed Feb 11, 2021, https://www.civilengineeringx.com/foundations/pile-foundations/ .
The side and top surface of the gasometers are formed by a large number of steel plates. The outer surface is further structured by steel ribs, and the top surface is equipped with a triangular steel truss. All plates and components are connected by rivets. The foundation is a wood pile foundation.
Gasometers
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Site Documentation: Estimated Section 3 Lifts
Pile Wood Structure
Concrete Base
Tank
Cultural Impact
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The Concept of Memory
Oblivion
Culture Social-Identity
Social Intercourse
Memory
Self-Identity Tradition
History
Memorial Emotion Aura
Medium
Symbol
Realms of Memory
Cultural Impact
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The Concept of Memory
Memory is like palimpsest. With time elapses, things in the past are blurred by consciousness and buried in the deepest part of the brain. Things that people forget are not like a lost diary that can no longer be retrieved. Instead, they are temporarily sealed until the suitable time, place, and environment arrive. Maurice Halbwachs suggests that memory is a social phenomenon.11 If we imagine that a person lives completely in a vacuum, will he or she have memories? The content of people’s daily interactions constitutes the communicative memory. In addition, whether it is in a religion, a group, or a nation, they have cultural memories. This cultural memory is the basis for people to construct their self-identities and social-identities. Communicative memory and cultural memory together form the collective memory. 12 The brain’s operation of memory follows three steps: take in, store, and retrieve. When we take out the memory, it is actually a reconstruction of a certain past moment in the present. It is a retrospect of the flow of time. Emotions and thoughts emerge with the memory. However, memory is not just a direct translation to the past, and there will be a shift or a distortion of the memory. The reason why people can recall some things is in that they have influence on the
present or the future. As Italo Svevo illustrates, the past is always new, and it is constantly changing, just like life is constantly moving forward. Some parts of it, like sinking into the abyss of forgetting, will resurface, and other parts will sink again because they are not important. Only part of the past will exert its influence on the present, because this part is destined to illuminate or obscure the present.13 In the fast process of societal development, there will be rifts in people’s collective memory. People need cultural memory if they want to understand the missing part of the past and reinforce their social-identities. There are various media for cultural memory: language, images, sounds, monuments, symbolic ceremonies, etc. Place is also one of the media used to recall the past. Pierre Nora proposes the concept of realms of memory: realms of memory are a symbolic system, which enables individuals living in this tradition to find a sense of belonging, that is, to realize the potential to become a member of a social group, learn and remember in this group, and share a culture. 14 In the realms of memory, the remains of the past, surrounding scenes and sounds become the keys to open the door of memory. This is the retrieval of memories in a synchronic time and space, These memories arouse people’s perception, feeling, and thinking, and further become the nourishment for constructing self-identities and social-identities.
11. Shoufu Jin, “On Jan Assmann’s Theory of Cultural Memory,” Foreign
13. Jan Assmann, Memories of Space: Forms and Changes of Cultural
Language and Literature 33, no.2 (April,2017): 37.
Memory (Beijing: Peking University Press, 2005), 9.
12. Shoufu Jin, “On Jan Assmann’s Theory of Cultural Memory,” Foreign
14. Guozhan Chen, “What is ‘Cultural Memory’,” Foreign Theoretical
Language and Literature 33, no.2 (April,2017): 37.
Trends, no.6 (2016): 23.
Cultural Impact
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Interviews Q1: When Shanghai’s industry was booming, what was the image of the city? Shanghai Residents: “Industrial companies on both sides of the Huangpu River emitted dark smoke from chimneys, and the drainage pipes discharged pollutions” “Yangpu District is the birthplace of China’s modern industry. The chimneys of power plants were major symbols of Yangshupu’s industry. There were many textile factories along the riverside. The street are busy with human traffic and large and small smelters located in this area. People could hear noises and see red flames. The water factory in Yangshupu Industrial Zone contains British castle-like buildings, and their huge pipes become landscapes. Nowadays, the city has greatly developed and changed, but landmark buildings must be preserved because this is history.” Young Generation:
“The huge chimney” Q2: Do you have any impression of large and small gasometers in the city? What kind of scene is that? Tourists: “Impressive, very eye-catching” Shanghai Residents: “It used to be a symbol for a convenient lifestyle. Coal gas substitutes the briquettes stove, which is inconvenient for our age. But gasometer also has safety problems and occupies valuable urban land resources.”
“There are garden factories in Shanghai now” Shanghai Residents: “The city is more livable, the environment is more beautiful, and Shanghai becomes the international metropolis with a unique charm” “I live in Yangpu District, and I can deeply experience that there is less traffic, the environment is quieter. The past hustle and bustle is gone, and the large factories have moved out of the city.”
Young Generation: “I can’t remember that“
Young Generation: “The industrial zone is getting farther from the urban area, and the pollution control is better than before.”
Q3: Since Shanghai entered into a modern age, what improvements have been made compared to the past industrial environment?
Q4: In the modern city of Shanghai, compared with the past industrial environment, do you feel that some things are missing?
Tourists: “Pollution has been reduced”
Shanghai Residents: “Neighborhoods are indifferent”
*The interviews were conducted by Liman Wei in January 2021.
“The neighbors used to be warm and liked to help each other, but now they are indifferent, unfamiliar, and more protective “ “With the advancement of government projects, the industrial work gradually relocated to suburban areas and faded out of people’s lives, replaced by a strong commercial atmosphere and humanistic feelings. The city is more livable and better, but to some extent the connection between people is missing. We lost sincerity and trust between people.” “The motivation for work is not as strong as before, and the mental outlook is not better than before. Now people are motivated by the money.” Young Generation: “The living environment is better, at least the pollution is not that serious. The city center should have been residential and commercial areas. The industrial areas should not occupy the central parts. Factories are more suitable in the suburbs from the
Cultural Impact
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Interviews perspectives of cost and environmental protection.” Q5: What was the relationship between neighborhoods during Shanghai’s industrial period? How is it different from now? Shanghai Residents: “In the past, the state-owned enterprises built houses, and there were a lot of interactions between neighbors even in part-time, Now the neighbors don’t know each other.” “Communications have become more alienated” “Neighbors had mutual help and care, even though residential houses were not spacious. We gathered together to study and live in one place, and we knew each other well. Friends from childhood were very close. Nowadays, even though housing quality has improved, there has been less contact with neighbors.” Young Generation: “In the past, neighbors were
closer, and I had some friends that had grown up together” Q6: Is this impact of industrial works on the living environment great? (Noise, dust, etc.)? Shanghai Residents: “It’s a great impact” “It was really effective when I lived in an industrial area” Young Generation: “Correct” Q7: Overall, Shanghai’s industrial period gives you more good memories or bad memories? why? Shanghai Residents: “There are many good memories. At that time, everyone worked hard for a better tomorrow.” “The development of city is an inevitable process. The development that brought about by the industrial period has greatly improved the backwardness of the agricultural periods, but
*The interviews were conducted by Liman Wei in January 2021.
environmental pollution and other issues have gradually affectedpeople’s living conditions. Generally speaking, there are more good memories.” “The memories of the hard times are beautiful and happy, because without the sweat and efforts of the past, there would be no peaceful days today.” Young Generation: “More bad memories” Q8: What is the process of using coal gas at home? Is there anything impressive or interesting? Shanghai Residents: “Before the introduction of coal gas, we needed to use a briquettes stove to cook. Heating was very hard and troublesome. I needed to look after the stove every day. However, once the coal gas is turned on, I can cook immediately. “It was troublesome to change the gas tank. I used the bicycle to
change it by myself. Sometimes I would shake the tank to help the ignition when the gas was of poor quality.” “At the end of the 1950s, gas was supplied at my home. After we substituted the briquettes stove with coal gas, life became much easier. When there was no coal gas, the first thing I would do when I went back home from school was to check whether the stove was on, otherwise the cooking at night would be very difficult and time-consuming” Q9: If the Yangshupu gasometer is to be renovated, what functions do you want it to have? “Memorial Park”(9 People) “Exhibition Space”(4 People) “Community Center” (3 People) “Neibor’s Convenience Center ”(1 Person) “Hotel”(1 Person)
Cultural Impact
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Movie Studies
In the 1840s, film was introduced to Shanghai, and it has more than 100 years of history.15 In the past 100 years, Shanghai has undergone tremendous changes. The film records the history of the development of Shanghai from an industrial city to a metropolis. By watching the Shanghai movies and analyzing the city from the aspects of river, streetscape, factory, cooking, neighborhood, and light, we can see the development and evolution of the city. These analyses provide the context for the gasometers.
15. “Shanghai Movies,” Baidu Encyclopedia, Accessed May 3, 2021, https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E7%94%B5%E5 %BD%B1/17279180 .
Cultural Impact
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Movie Studies: River
The movie “Crossroads” presents the scene of Huangpu River in Shanghai in 1937——ships on the river were busily carrying goods, At that time, the Huangpu River have already became an important waterway for transportation in Shanghai.
In the movie ‘Chung Kuo’ directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, the industry of Shanghai has developed further, and we can still see industrial chimneys emitting smoke near the Huangpu River.
The movie “I Wish I Knew” presents a modern perspective of the river in Shanghai. The eastern bank of the Huangpu Riveris is full of skyscrapers, and the western bank retains colonial architecture,
Image: Bilibili, “Crossroads,” April 15, 1937, video, 102:35, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32528/?from=search&seid=4913145989098768045 . Image: Nicholas Marshall, “Chung Kuo Part 3,” April 5, 2020, video,
Image: Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50,
57:41, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTwIdqatRs .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I .
Cultural Impact
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Movie Studies: Streetscape
The movie “Sleepless City” shows Shanghai in 1957, when residential buildings were in the background of chimneys of factories.
As shown in the movie “I Wish I Knew”, there are still some old residential buildings in Shanghai today, which are overshadowed by skyscrapers.
Image: Bilibili, “Sleepless City,” 1957, video, 112:55, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32703/?from=search&se-
Image: Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50,
id=7803887585978094015 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I .
Cultural Impact
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Movie Studies: Factory
The movies “Huang Baomei ”and “Crossroads” portrayed the images of female workers in factories in Shanghai during the industrial period.
The story of “Sleepless City” shows the process of a factory undergoing socialist transformation.
Although there are still some workers and factories in Shanghai, as shown in the movie “I Wish I Knew”, factories in the city center of Shanghai today are facing vacancies.
Image: Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . Image: Bilibili, “Crossroads,” April 15, 1937, video, 102:35, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32528/?from=search&seid=4913145989098768045 . Image: Bilibili, “Sleepless City,” 1957, video, 112:55, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32703/?from=search&se-
Image: Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50,
id=7803887585978094015 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I .
Cultural Impact
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Movie Studies: Cooking
As shown in the movie “Crossroads”, in 1937, Shanghai residents used a briquettes stove to cook.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, as shown in the movie “Spring Is Splendid Color”, although people’s living standards have improved, briquettes stoves are still must-haves for residents’ lives.
The movie “If You Are Happy” shows that coal gas and natural gas have entered the households in modern Shanghai.
Image: Bilibili, “Crossroads,” April 15, 1937, video, 102:35, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32528/?from=search&seid=4913145989098768045 . Image: Bilibili, “Spring Is Splendid Color,” 1959, video, 114:31, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32541/?from=- search&se-
Image: Frank Huang, “If You Are Happy,” January 5, 2020, video, 98:41,
id=14960905908707943732 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD6tliuyXBQ&t=3509s .
Cultural Impact
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Movie Studies: Neighborhood
The movie “Spring Is Splendid Color” presents scenes of harmony and mutual assistance among neighbors during the industrial period.
In the movie “I Wish I Knew”, the director shows the isolation of old residential areas in the context of modern Shanghai.
Image: Bilibili, “Spring is Splendid Color,” 1959, video, 114:31, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32541/?from=- search&se-
Image: Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50,
id=14960905908707943732 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I .
Cultural Impact
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Movie Studies: Light
The movie “Goddess” records the process of a worker igniting a gas light on the street of Shanghai.
Today, Shanghai has become an international metropolis. At night, the city is lit by countless lights.
Image: Bilibili, “Goddess,” 1934, video, 78:29, https://www.bilibi-
Image: Nomadic Ambience, “Walking in The Bund, Shanghai, China at
li.com/bangumi/play/ss32474/?from=search&se-
Night,” May 28, 2021, video, 27:04, https://www.you-
id=4256121730148113519 .
tube.com/watch?v=2uQ58Xwx1V4 .
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Cultural Impact Shanghai 2035 Urban Plan
Since 2019, the Shanghai government is trying to transform the single-use industrial infrastructure of the Yangshupu Industrial Zone into a modern cluster, integrating commerce, leisure, tourism, culture, exhibition and other urban functions.16 During the transformation of the Yangshupu Industrial Zone, residential areas are facing demolition. According to a report in November 2020, many local residents around the Yangshupu Industrial Zone have moved out. 17 In the future, there will be more high-rise residential buildings and commercial buildings nearby the Yangshupu Industrial Zone. The connection between old residents and industry will be broken.
16. “Yangpu Industrial Rust Belt Has Been Transformed into a Beautiful Life Belt,” Xinhua Net, Accessed December 10, 2020, http://www.xinhuanet.com/2020-09/26/c_1126542263.htm . 17. “Two Situations in One Street,” China Times, Accessed December 10, 2020, https://www.chinatimes.net.cn/article/102095.html .
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Shanghai 2035 Urban Plan
You don’t want to move out, (but you can’t.)
Residents in Old Houses
New High-rise Residential Area In the Dinghai Road near Yangshupu Gasometers, we can already find some high-rise residential buildings
Central Activity Zone
Yangshupu Gasometers Image: “Shanghai Yangshupu Residential Area Is Going to be Demolished, and the Residents Don’t Want to Move Out,” 163 Net Ease, Accessed December 10, 2020, https://3g.163.com/dy/article/FETAVKOQ05377ZGR.html . Image: Bilibili, “Shanghai Old Residential Areas----Video of Dinghaigang Road and Dinghai Road,” September 11, 2020, video, 10:55, https://ww-
Diagram: Yangshupu 2035 Development Strategy
w.bilibili.com/video/BV1bV411m7em?from= search&seid=10584844325559481914 .
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Shanghai 2035 Urban Plan
Collage: Nostalgia of Yangshupu Old Residential Area
Diagram: The Relocation of Residents Nearby Yangshupu Industiral Zone
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User Group & Program
Park
User Group : Shanghai Residents Community Center New Residents in Nearby Community
Residents Used to Live in This Area
Younger Generation of Shanghai
Oral Archive Space
Community Farm
Other Local Residents
Memorial Space
Exhibition Space
Design Proposal
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Urban Intervention
Subway Station ① ② ③ ④
⑤ ⑥
15mins walk Subway Station
Site
5mins walk Site
③ Longchang Apartment, Built in 1920s -1930s River *①②③④⑤⑥ are historical buildings of Shanghai.
⑤ No 222-266 Residential Area, Built by Japanese in 1938
Design Proposal
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Host Intervention Exhibition Space
River
Rotatable Screen Oral Archive Space
Panorama Space
Community Center
Sketch Models
Axonometric Rendering
Design Proposal
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Host Intervention River
River
River
3.
5.
4. 1.
2.
3.
2.
1.Entrance 2. Community Center 3. Oral Archive Space 4. Exhibition Space 5. Panorama Space 6. Rotatable Screen
6.
1.
First Floor Plan
1.
1. Bridge 2. Rooftop Space 3. Reflecting Pool Second Floor Plan
1. Upper Bridge Third Floor Plan
Design Proposal
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Host Intervention: Section
River
Design Proposal Host Intervention: Detail Section
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Design Proposal Host Intervention
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Design Proposal
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Host Intervention: Materiality
Location
Screen
Material Description Perforated Screen
Outside Ramp
Steel Structure + Dark Grey Porcelain Cladding
Interior Ramp & Lower Bridge
Steel Structure + Light Grey Porcelain Cladding
Material Sample Perforated Screen
Ramp
Structure
Upper Bridge
Steel
Structure
Steel
Spaces
Steel Structure + White Porcelain Cladding
Gasometers
Steel with Green Surface
Spaces
Gasometers
Design Proposal
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Host Intervention : Furniture
Diagram: Flexible Furniture
Design Proposal Host Intervention
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Design Proposal Host Intervention
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Design Proposal
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Landscape Strategy : History In a letter from the missionary Rodang in 1844, he described that: “...at the confluence of Huangpu River and Suzhou River, there were vast plains of rice fields, and countless small rivers flowed through it.” 18 From the note on the map named Shanghai and its Suburbs (drew in about 1853), we can find some clues of the scene in the north bank of Suzhou River: “...the rural villages in the suburbs closed to each other, and countless paths and roads divided the cotton fields and rice fields, leading to the inner land.” 19
In the map of Shanghai and its Suburbs (drew in about 1853), the north bank of Suzhou River is filled with cotton fields and rice fields. 18. “The History of Suzhou River,” Chong Zhong, Accessed March 16, 2021, https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1685515 .
From the map of City and Environs of Shanghai (drew in 1862), the city has expanded to the north bank of Suzhou River.
The city was continuing expanding according to the map of Shanghai in 1917. There were already some factories in Yangshupu Industrial Zone. Image: “The History of Suzhou River,” Chong Zhong, Accessed March 16, 2021, https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1685515 .
19. “The History of Suzhou River,” Chong Zhong, Accessed March 16,
Image: “200 Pieces of Old Maps Are Released for the First Time, Which
2021, https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1685515 .
Witness Shanghai's Changes in the Past 500 Years,” Sina Shanghai,
Image: “The History of Suzhou River,” Chong Zhong, Accessed March 16,
Accessed March 16, 2021, http://sh.si-
2021, https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1685515 .
na.com.cn/news/k/2017-08-11/detail-ifyixhyw7245151-p4.shtml .
Design Proposal
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Landscape Strategy
5.
1.
7.
1. 6. 4.
1.
12.
8.
11.
3.
11. 2. 1. 9.
10.
1. Pond 2. Wetland 3. Community Farm 4. Hills 5. Entrance Node 6. Gasometers Node 7. Rotatable Screen 8. Reflecting Pool 9. Water Purifier 10. Riverside Platform 11. Water Lock 12. Maintainance Room
Image: “Weiliu Wetland Park,” Landezine, Accessed May 20, 2021, http://landezine.com/index.php/2019/01/weiliu-wetland-park-by-yifang-ecoscape . Image: “Natick Community Organic Farm,” Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, Accessed May 20, 2021, https://farmlandac-
Huangpu River
cess.org/natick-community-organic-farm . Image: “Harbin Culture Center Wetland Park,” Turenscape, Accessed May 20, 2021, https://www.turenscape.com/project/detail/4665.html .
Design Proposal
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Landscape Strategy Industrial Period Agriculture Period
Pre-Agriculture Period
Post-Industrial Period
Water / Time
Huangpu River
Water is an important element for this site. Yangshupu Industrial Zone was prosperous due to the water transportation of Huangpu River. In addition, water is also needed in the process of producing coal gas. Therefore, in the landscape design, water is incorporated as a metaphor of time: the water from Huangpu River seeps into the wetland on its north side, and then transports upward by pumps to irrigate the community farm. After that, the water is continuing pumped into two ponds that mimic the form of gasometers. Then, the river comes to the city park near the street. The water comes to gasometers, to serve as space design elements, and finally, after the purifier, flows back to the river along the path of the axis.
Reference
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Annotated Bibliography Book 1. Assmann, Jan. Cultural Memory and Early Civilization: Writing, Remembrance, and Political Imagination. United States of America: Cambridge, 2011. Illustrates the philosophy and psychological concept of collective memory. 2. Russel, Thomas. Gaswork Profiles. UK: Contaminated Land, 2014. Provides the information of gasometer typology and history. 3. Assmann, Jan. Memories of Space: Forms and Changes of Cultural Memory. Beijing: Peking University Press, 2005. Illustrates the concept of collective memory, cultural memory, self-identity and social-identity. Journal Article 1. Jin, Shoufu. “On Jan Assmann’s Theory of Cultural Memory.” Foreign Language and Literature 33, no.2 (April,2017): 37. Clarifies the relationship between cultural memory, communicative memory and collective memory. 2. Chen, Guozhan. “What is ‘Cultural Memory’.” Foreign Theoretical Trends, no.6 (2016): 23. Illustrates the idea of realms of memory. Website 1. Shanghai Government. “Shanghai 2035 Urban Plan.” Accessed December 10, 2020. http://ghzyj.sh.gov.cn/cmsres/37/37cdf74da6804c58a3a82606221841c6/8c9619121c39419d97f4ce
60fc5da822.pdf . 2. Wikipedia. “Shanghai.” Accessed December https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai .
12, 2020.
3. Encyclopedia. “History of Industries in Shanghai.” Accessed November 15, 2020. https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/international-magazines/history-industries-shanghai 4. Yangpu Shanghai. “Everyone Knows This Big Road.” Accessed October 18, 2020. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/oj3QDSiedNfgG99DB-7jUA . 5. Seeing Through Shanghai. “Seeing Through Shanghai, the Industrial Traces of Shanghai Yangshupu Zone.” Accessed October 18, 2020. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/rp-DZNJORQiJvTGt19NGBw . 6. Wikipedia. “Shanghai Heritage Architecture.” Accessed December 10, 2020. https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E5%B8%82%E4%BC% 98%E7%A7%80%E5%8E%86%E5%8F%B2%E5%BB%BA%E7%AD %91 . 7. Kandian News. “Shanghai Gas Company’s Yangshupu Factory—Witness the Prosperity and Decline of Shanghai Gas Supply, Promoting the Development and Reform of Shanghai Gas Work.” Accessed Dec 15, 2020. https://kuaibao. qq.com/s/20191101A0AKWS00?refer=spider . 8. Seeing Through Shanghai. “Shanghai Memories: Upward and Downward Gasometers.” Accessed November 22, 2020.
Reference
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Annotated Bibliography https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D_RHlLvw-l-PKlqUF7zxUg . 9. Baidu Encyclopedia. “Shanghai Movies.” Accessed May 3, 2021. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E7% 94%B5%E5%BD%B1/17279180 . 10. Xinhua Net. “Yangpu Industrial Rust Belt Has Been Transformed into a Beautiful Life Belt.” Accessed December 10, 2020. http://www.xinhuanet.com/2020-09/26/c_1126542263.htm . 11. China Time. “Two Situations in One Street.” Accessed December 10, 2020. https://www.chinatimes.net.cn/article/102095.html . 12. Chong Zhong. “The History of Suzhou River.” Accessed March 16, 2021. https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1685515 . Video 1. Bilibili. “Crossroads.” April 15, 1937. Video, 102:35. https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32528/?from=search&- seid=4913145989098768045 . 2. Nicholas Marshal. “Chung Kuo Part 3.” April 5, 2020. Video, 57:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTwIdqatRs . 3. Decai SHI. “I Wish I Knew.” March 15, 2017. Video, 115:50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . 4. Bilibili. “Sleepless City.” 1957. Video, 112:55. https://ww-
w.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32703/?from=search&seid=7803887585978094015 . 5. Bilibili. “Spring Is Splendid Color.” 1959. Video, 114:31. https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32541/?from=search&seid=14960905908707943732 . 6. Frank Huang. “If You Are Happy.” January 5, 2020. Video, 98:41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD6tliuyXBQ&t=3509s . 7. Bilibili. “Goddess.” 1934. Video, 78:29. https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32474/?from=search&seid=4256121730148113519 . 8. Nomadic Ambience. “Walking in The Bund, Shanghai, China at Night.” May 28, 2021. Video, 27:04. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uQ58Xwx1V4 . 9. Bilibili. “Shanghai Old Residential Areas----Video of Dinghaigang Road and Dinghai Road.” September 11, 2020. Video, 10:55. https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1bV411m7em?from= search&seid=10584844325559481914 .
Reference
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Image Credit P5 Qiu Rongxu and Wei Xu and John Zhang, “The Transformation of Urban Industrial Land Use: A Quantitative Method,” Journal of Urban Management 4, no.4 (2015): 49. P6 Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . P11 “Shanghai Gas Company’s Yangshupu Factory—Witness the Prosperity and Decline of Shanghai Gas Supply, Promoting the Development and Reform of Shanghai Gas Work,” Kandian News, Accessed December 15, 2020, https://kuaibao.qq.com/s/20191101A0AKWS00?refer=spider&sec_share=sec_share . P18 “Shanghai Memories: Upward and Downward Gasometers,” Seeing Through Shanghai, Accessed November 22, 2020, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D_RHlLvw-l-PKlqUF7zxUg . P21, P22 “City Memory: The 150-Year Development of Shanghai Gas Supply” Tencent Shanghai, Accessed Feb 2, 2021, https://sh.qq.com/a/20151123/011024.htm#p=4 . P23, P24 Thomas Russel, Gaswork Profiles (UK: Contaminated Land, 2014), 8-9. P27 “Structural Inspection, Reuse and Appraisement of Classic Gas Tank,” Lewei Tong, Accessed Feb 2, 2021, https://jz.docin.com/p-19408639.html&isPay=1 . P28 “Pile Foundations,” Civil Engineering, Accessed Feb 11, 2021, https://www.civilengineeringx.com/foundations/pile-foun-
dations/ . P41 Bilibili, “Crossroads,” April 15, 1937, video, 102:35, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32528/?from=search&seid=4913145989098768045 . Nicholas Marshall, “Chung Kuo Part 3,” April 5, 2020, video, 57:41, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toTwIdqatRs . P42 Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . P43 Bilibili, “Sleepless City,” 1957, video, 112:55, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32703/?from=search&seid=7803887585978094015 . P44 Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . P45 Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . Bilibili, “Crossroads,” April 15, 1937, video, 102:35, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32528/?from=search&seid=4913145989098768045 . Bilibili, “Sleepless City,” 1957, video, 112:55, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32703/?from=search&seid=7803887585978094015 . P46 Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . P47 Bilibili, “Crossroads,” April 15, 1937, video, 102:35, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32528/?from=search&-
Reference
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Image Credit seid=4913145989098768045 . Bilibili, “Spring Is Splendid Color,” 1959, video, 114:31, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32541/?from=search&seid=14960905908707943732 . P48 Frank Huang, “If You Are Happy,” January 5, 2020, video, 98:41, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD6tliuyXBQ&t=3509s . P49 Bilibili, “Spring is Splendid Color,” 1959, video, 114:31, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32541/?from=search&seid=14960905908707943732 . P50 Decai SHI, “I Wish I Knew,” March 15, 2017, video, 115:50, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDHtskeAn4I . P51 Bilibili, “Goddess,” 1934, video, 78:29, https://www.bilibili.com/bangumi/play/ss32474/?from=search&seid=4256121730148113519 . P52 Nomadic Ambience, “Walking in The Bund, Shanghai, China at Night,” May 28, 2021, video, 27:04, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uQ58Xwx1V4 . P56 “Shanghai Yangshupu Residential Area Is Going to be Demolished, and the Residents Don’t Want to Move Out,” 163 Net Ease, Accessed December 10, 2020, https://3g.163.com/dy/article/FETAVKOQ05377ZGR.html . Bilibili, “Shanghai Old Residential Areas----Video of Dinghaigang Road and Dinghai Road,” September 11, 2020, video, 10:55, https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1bV411m7em?from= search&seid=10584844325559481914 .
P81, P82 “The History of Suzhou River,” Chong Zhong, Accessed March 16, 2021, https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_1685515 . P82 “200 Pieces of Old Maps Are Released for the First Time, Which Witness Shanghai's Changes in the Past 500 Years,” Sina Shanghai, Accessed March 16, 2021, http://sh.sina.com.cn/news/k/2017-08-11/detail-ifyixhyw7245151-p4.shtml . P84 “Weiliu Wetland Park,” Landezine, Accessed May 20, 2021, http://landezine.com/index.php/2019/01/weiliu-wetland-park-by-yifang-ecoscape . “Natick Community Organic Farm,” Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, Accessed May 20, 2021, https://farmlandaccess.org/natick-community-organic-farm . “Harbin Culture Center Wetland Park,” Turenscape, Accessed May 20, 2021, https://www.turenscape.com/project/detail/4665.html .