Past, Present, and Future of Rails

Academic Work / Individual Work 2020.7-2020.9, 3 months

Urban Design

Instructor: Harry lee; Ting Yin

Location: Hangzhou

The large number of single uses in the city all have the same aspect. The intersections between one single use and another form the intersections that often harbor destructive forces in cities.A junction zone -- a large single-use area -- forms the edge of the «normal» area of the city.Often, the borderline is thought of as a negative object, or simply a borderline.But, in fact, the border zone can play a positive role.A railroad track is a typical example of a junction.

The old railway tracks in Hangzhou played a positive role in promoting the urban development in the early stage. However, with the development of the city and the continuous expansion of the urban area, the railway tracks gradually become the existence of dividing the city and hindering the development of the city. Therefore, it is assumed that after the disappearance of the single railway tracks, what changes will occur to the original space?

1949 1912 1981 2000

When Hangzhou Railway Station was completed, the scale of Hangzhou city was small, mainly on the east side of West Lake. The railway served as a connection between Hangzhou and other city

Later, after the the founding of the people’s Republic of China, Qiantang River Bridge had completed and Across the Qiantang River.

Through the Great Cultural Revolution, most of China’s urban city developed most stagnent. After the catastrophe, Hnagzhou’s two regions began to develop toward each other.

Noedays, the expressways and subway have repalced the original railway in connecting the two stations. The new high-speed rail line fuether pushed the old railroad tracks to be abandoned.

Hangzhou Railway Station

One side of the site is dominated by a large office building and commercial complex, which is surrounded by a relatively high-grade residential area. The other side is mainly a densely inhabited urban village. After the reconstruction, it is hoped that it can provide employment for the residents of the urban village, as well as an entertainment place for the workers, as well as an urban park.

Hangzhou Railway Brigade clothing shop

One side of the site is backed by the mountain forest, and the site itself is the maintenance place for the train. On the other side of the site is a dense residential area. After the reconstruction, it is hoped that the function can provide a leisure center for the surrounding residences, and also serve as a bridge connecting the residences with the scenic spot.

Qiantang River Bridge

One side of the site is dominated by a large office building and commercial complex, which is surrounded by a relatively high-grade residential area.The other side is mainly a densely inhabited urban village. After the reconstruction, it is hoped that it can provide employment for the residents of the urban village, as well as an entertainment place for the workers, as well as an urban park.

Hangzhou High-tech Software Park

One side of the site is dominated by a large office building and commercial complex, which is surrounded by a relatively high-grade residential area. The other side is mainly a densely inhabited urban village. After the reconstruction, it is hoped that it can provide employment for the residents of the urban village, as well as an entertainment place for the workers, as well as an urban park.