Harmonious Society

Adam Gerard Wójcik, Australia

MASTER PLAN

“My project ultimately ask: What are the design conditions necessary for fostering social capital and democracy?”

In its socio-economic vision known as the “Harmonious Society”, China is begining to acknowledge the increasing social confl icts and inequality emerging in China as a result of unchecked economic growth and its dramatic pace of urbanisation. The government has even expanded its development indicators beyond the economic to include environmental and social factors. However, one aspect of this new social philosophy that is lacking is any apparent encouragement of democracy. I believe that it is through genuine democracy that communities can develop the necessary resilience to overcome the kinds of social confl icts that arise from China’s dramatic urbanisation.

The proposed urban governance model aims to include local residents in as many aspects of the daily life, management and decision-making of the neighbourhood as possible. One key aspect is to encourage collaboration within and between the neighbourhood’s functions through an artisan community network.

Encouraging encounter between different people is also the function of the public space network. Different public spaces cater to different needs, desires, times and events. I want to create smaller intimate spaces that contrast with the monumental scale exhibited in China’s current urbanisation trends. Diverse public spaces are designed to ensure a whole spectrum of democratic activities can take place - from introspection, refl ection, anagoge, debate, communal work, lectures, performances and demonstrations.Furthermore, recycling buildings allow older housing to be upgraded and ensuring existing residents are able to remain rather than being dislocated from their existing communities.

UPGRADED INFORMAL SETTLEMENT

Phase 0 - condemned buildings Phase 1 - selective demolition Phase 2 - encourage upgrade Phase 3 - continue integration

Identify buildings which hinder a legible urban structure, whilst minimising demolition. Establish clearer sightlines, courtyards, and movement corridors. An opportunity to reconfigure building footprints, encourage consolidation where appropriate, and create mild improvements to structural legibility. Where possible, use new buildings to reinforce the new urban structure whilst integrating the existing built form

PHASING PLAN ARTISAN COURTYARD