Page 54 - JCAU-4-1

Two Water Towns in the Qingpu District of Shanghai Semprebon

Figure 14. Figure-ground diagram of Liantang: the demolitions in red occurred in 2016. Source: Elaboration by
author

Figure 15. Unexpected demolitions found in Liantang. Source: Photo by Luca Maria Francesco Fabris, 2016

8
and hyperdense environs of Shanghai . upside down along the edge of walkways and
Despite the similarities highlighted in the inhabitants taking water or doing laundry on
built attributes, the absence of the lower steps of the stairs, diving in the
commodification mechanisms ensured canals.
Liantang to preserve its sociocultural The presence of a plurality of well-
atmosphere, exposing, on one side, the developed industrial sectors induced some
hardships of economic stagnation and, on the observers to argue that Zhujiajiao features a
other side, the aura of authenticity breathable more harmonic sociocultural environment
in sites not targeted by markets’ impulses. compared to Liantang [70] . They pinpointed
Currently, it is easy to find utensils tipped that Liantang’s traditional agricultural

8 Conversations held in July 2018.

AccScience Publishing 12