Chinese Modern Urban Housing (1840-2000)

Author: Lü Junhua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Under the suggestion of Professor Peter Rowe, the School of Architecture at Tsinghua University and the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University organized a team to conduct research on the history of Chinese residential architecture. After several years of collaboration, they achieved remarkable results. This book is the result of this research. After reviewing it, I believe the book has the following characteristics:
(1) The book focuses on two aspects—important historical stages in modern China and the transformation of residential types—and divides the entire book into three historical stages spanning 160 years. These are several basic stages in the development of modern Chinese residential architecture, with a clear and comprehensive outline that captures the historical context of Chinese architectural development.
(2) The book does not discuss residential architecture in isolation but analyzes the changes in residential architectural types through shifts in politics, economy, society, technology, and culture.
(3) While studying history, the book also looks toward the future. Urbanization in China has entered an accelerated phase, with a rapid increase in urban populations and a significant proportion of urban housing construction. The book addresses issues such as population growth, land constraints, and market economies, which often lead to debates over factors like the number of floors in buildings and construction standards. These challenges continue to perplex us, and current solutions may not be the final answer. Conflicts are inevitable, but societal progress requires innovation. Scientific research must continue to evolve. However, a comprehensive study of the historical development and modern aspects of residential architecture helps us identify achievements and shortcomings, inspiring further exploration of the future.
This international collaborative research team represents a new attempt with its own vitality. After publication, the book will be released in both Chinese and English domestically and internationally. This will contribute to advancing the understanding of Chinese residential conditions abroad and provide Chinese scholars with new insights for comparative research, building on existing explorations.