Page 52 - JCAU-5-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Envisioning rural futures

Figure 12. View of Bihu Town as “15-min city.” Source: One Tenth Culture & Art Company; reprinted (adapted) with permission from One Tenth Culture
& Art Company; Copyright © 2020 One Tenth Culture & Art Company

Figure 13. New settlements along the Ou River. Source: One Tenth
Culture & Art Company; reprinted (adapted) with permission from One Figure 14. Prosperous Lishui overall plan. Source: Courtesy of SCUT and
Tenth Culture & Art Company; Copyright © 2020 One Tenth Culture & Politecnico di Torino; reprinted (adapted) with permission from SCUT
Art Company and Politecnico di Torino; Copyright © 2020 SCUT and Politecnico di
Torino
In Bihu Town, the project plans to reclaim 2 sqkm
of industrial land for agriculture and to adapt the road
grid for new housing for rural villagers. These new
developments form a membrane of high-density courtyard
buildings, with recreational and business activities on the
first floor. The resulting open spaces do not have strictly
defined functions but can be used and adapted freely by
the inhabitants for drying crops, temporary markets,
and recreational activities. In this way, the new housing
provides an experience of urbanity while preventing a
complete detachment from farmers’ traditional habits.
Furthermore, thanks to the wide variety of functions and
the new system of connections, Bihu Town is laid out as a
“15-min city,” that is, a new mixed-use settlement where Figure 15. Prosperous Lishui overall view. Source: Courtesy of SCUT and
Politecnico di Torino; reprinted (adapted) with permission from SCUT
inhabitant may access all the major facilities in less than a and Politecnico di Torino; Copyright © 2020 SCUT and Politecnico di
15-min walk (Figure 12). Torino

Volume 5 Issue 3 (2023) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0957