Effects of Daoism on Contemporary Chinese Architecture
Assignment: Choose one of the following essays:
Write an essay that examines the effect of metaphysical ideas on the development of ancient and contemporary Chinese cities; you might for instance, explore the role of geomancy, Daoism and/or Feng Shui in the production of ancient and modern Chinese planning and architecture.
What were the effects of western Colonialism on Chinese cities, particularly in terms of their planning and architecture? You might want to explore for instance the role of the British in Shanghai or the Germans in Qingdao.
The Republican period in China has often been described as chaotic; however, research shows that this period also demonstrated moments of strong urban organisation, planning and development. Discuss these historical issues in your own words.
The formation of the People’s Republic of China, (1949), saw the ascension to power of Mao Zedong; describe in your own words, Mao’s role in the formation of new Socialist cities and architecture.
Scholars Zheng Wang and Fulong Wu have argued that ‘Chinese planning in the post-reform era is primarily concerned with stimulating economic growth through urban developments.’ In your own words, describe Chinese urban planning in the reform era.
What do we mean by Ghost cities in China? How do they form and do they represent the excesses of urban development?
What is the Hukou system in China? Evaluate the system and how does it affect people’s life chances?
What do we mean by urban villages (城中村; cheng zhōng cūn) in China? What are their positive and negative qualities?
Scholars have discussed the increasing migration of people to China’s cities. Indeed, some academics have contended that by 2030, China’s cities will be home to 1 billion people. In your own words, please examine the issues that town planners and urban officials will face.
Write an essay that unpacks and critically engages with one of the contemporary planning, architectural or urban development issues explored in the module. You might for example explore issues in and around urban development, demolition, conservation, urban history, urban migration, urban violence, urban villages, shifts in Chinese living (from low to high-rise) and the problems associated with modern Chinese life.
No more than 2500 words.
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