| now what we don't understand is the link between a city with
| old buildings and a city without. what does it means when they
| say "A city without cultural continuity is a city with no memory, no
| soul, nor vitality."? is this a coherent statement? or more of
| humane-sustainable slogan raising?
Old architecture lends soul to modern cities
MORE and more old residential buildings in Shanghai are being torn down
to make way for new roads, metro lines or large high-rise residential
and commercial compounds.
Indeed, many old properties have grown so dilapidated and outdated that
they are no longer fit for habitation and preservation may be too costly.
....
It is one of the city's signature attractions but government endorsed
the tearing down 52 hectares of old "shikumen" houses in the neighhood
years ago. Eventually only four hectares were kept and incorporated into
the new-look Xintiandi, he said.
Experts keep raising the call for more preservation, but will the city
planners and public heed it? As Xue says: "A city without cultural
continuity is a city with no memory, no soul, nor vitality."
cont'd....
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2007/200705/20070517/article_316111.htm
-----------------------------
| and some sustainable/con interview:
Hamburg is quite traditional in preserving its historical buildings
and in forming a consistent townscape, thus obtaining and conserving a
strong “hanseatic” identity. How do you see Shanghai’s identity given
the rapid changes in its urban development and how can Shanghai keep its
identity?
Shanghai’s identity has always been changing because it is a city
that in its history has always been learning from other cities. The city
has been forming and changing its identity for about 700 years, and
concerning urban development we have two aims now: The first one is to
preserve the historical buildings. In 2002 the municipality has
announced a new legislation concerning that, and has also named 12
historical areas. In the last year we worked out a preservation program
for those areas covering more than 27 square kilometers. Since the early
1990s altogether 632 buildings and blocks have been named heritage
architecture and been given special signs. Apart from that we named 32
suburban historical areas. Because of Shanghai’s 6000 years of history
there also are several relicts and historical buildings in suburban
areas. So all in all, Shanghai is now executing the most strict
preservation program in its history. The second aim of Shanghai’s urban
development is to be back among the world’s major cities again. In its
history Shanghai has already had the status of a world city, which was
in the 1920s and 1930s. But since that Shanghai has been isolated from
the outside world for a long time. Now we want to take the opportunity
and the current advantage to develop Shanghai into a world metropolis
again.
cont'd....
http://www.green-shanghai.com/eng/newsletter/june06/zhengshilinginterview_article.html