Page 56 - JCAU-5-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Learning from the countryside

Figure 18. Comparison of planning and current situation. Source: Compilation by Chen & Chu, 2021

with the existing seawall-based settlement morphology harbor the potential for fostering the development of Taobao
within the planning scope and the dense arrangement villages characterized by a high degree of adaptability.
of self-built houses by villagers based on the homestead Consequently, transforming the morphological framework
concept in Kandun (Figure 18). of seawalls emerges as an alternative means of integrating

The realizability of the heroic imagination of official bottom-up development and top-down planning.
planning is doubtful, especially given the current high Considering the current morphological characteristics
vacancy rate in office buildings in the central city of of the Kandun region and its surroundings, our proposal
Ningbo. Moreover, it poses a threat to the bottom-up encompasses different strategic actions. First, in the context
Taobao village economic model. However, the current of urban renewal along seawall rivers, the recommendation
low-quality built-up areas and small out-of-scale cottage is to replace low-quality industrial zones with medium
industries in the Kandun area have become a constraint to and high-density residential and commercial areas.
development in the absence of guidance. Along the direction of the canal, a continuous complex
Drawing upon the insights presented in Sections 3.3.1 of facilities, designed in a strip-like configuration echoing
and 3.3.2, it becomes evident that the morphological Pu’s architectural form, is proposed. These facilities would
characteristics associated with seawall-based morphology serve as a structural framework for the growth of the
not only stand as remnants of historical processes but also village, accommodating growth through modular units

Volume 5 Issue 4 (2023) 17 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0981