Page 58 - JCAU-5-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Learning from the countryside

planning requirements while injecting new vitality into facility features space trusses, offering ample room for
the bottom-up economic model. Furthermore, capitalizing large exhibitions and product showcases.
on the construction of a high-speed rail station as an
opportunity, several nearby villages and towns can form 4. Conclusion
a cluster of villages and towns with skyline connections. The projects presented here aim to exemplify a design
This configuration facilitates adequate linkages while methodology based on the interpretation of the historical
maintaining the independence of individual villages and structure of the Chinese countryside. This methodology
towns (Figure 19). serves as a source of models from which to learn spatial
The master plan for Kandun presents more configurations that originate from the specific context,
programmatic details: the strip volume defines the perpetually evolving as one transition from one countryside
boundaries and becomes an infrastructure framework. landscape to another in China. It is important to note that
Between the strips, volumes with different functions can this approach does not entail a simple repetition of history
be arranged. The distinctive morphological features can but rather a way to explore the values underlying these
be reflected in a collage of top views and aerial views forms. This allows us to reshape our approach to future
(Figure 19, upper panel). Within this framework formed development in response to the current social situation. As
between the buildings, areas for residences, factories, and an output of our first project in Huiyang, which embraced
a railway station can be flexibly arranged to form clusters this approach and involved collaboration and dialog with
with varying densities. The scheme provides a total of the local administration, we could appreciate that the
860,000 square meters of new floor space for Kandun, fully New Master Plan for Huiyang 2021 – 2037 effectively
addressing Kandun’s recent development requirement. incorporates many of our suggestions. This integration
has been thoroughly elaborated in Section 3.1 and
The strip system operates as a system of modules Figures 4 and 5.
capable of expansion, extending from the built-up area
of the settlement to the surrounding farmland. The strip The perspective of the research presented in this study
system demonstrates different variations in different areas, aims to include research materials from three ongoing
which are outlined as follows: case studies in peri-urban villages (Zhangzhou, Fujian;
(i) As a supplement to the high-density built-up area, the Jiang Nan, Zhejiang; Huizhou, Anhui) in a forthcoming
strip serves as a corridor facility on the ground floor, publication. This publication will feature a methodological
offering villagers co-production spaces for handling chapter intended for Chinese planners, illustrating
spillover orders from family workshops. A flexible potential approaches for integrating historical rural
building framework effectively organizes logistics, architectural and landscape forms into the construction
storage, production lines, and more. The second and of future urban development. This method will be based
third floors of the strip can be used as a complex on six different case studies from monumental rural areas,
facility combining offices and shops to cater to the each marked by unique local architectural cultures and
needs of online stores and incubators. The fourth level geographical conditions.
can be designated for housing the floating population. Acknowledgments
Between the strip systems, various types of buildings
can be developed to complement the activities We would like to express our gratitude to Lin Jiamu, Parenti
supported by the preset strip system. This combination Luca, Vismara Stefanie, Zodo Katia, Belli Eugenio, Yuyan
of strip systems and diverse building types enhances Han, Xiaoya Li, and Jiayi Yuan for their valuable assistance
the scheme’s versatility and adaptability. in producing some of the images used in this article.
(ii) The SkyTrain station is connected to the strip system,
functioning as a central node within the strip system. Funding
It facilitates transportation and commercial activities, The research on the Huiyang case was initially supported
serving as a hub that connects different infrastructures. by Politecnico di Milano and the Huizhou Municipal
It extends across both sides of the strip, spanning the Bureau of Housing and Urban-Rural Development
carriageway and serving as an entrance to the park in 2010 – 2012. This support was provided through
that leads to the skyline track. a cooperation agreement signed in 2008 between the
(iii) The strip system’s extension into farmland can Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Government
accommodate a range of facilities. As depicted in the of Guangdong Province of China. The research on Linpan
upper panel of Figure 19, the roof remains open to the in the Chengdu Plain was supported by Politecnico di
public for viewing the farmland. The interior of the Milano, Southwest Jiaotong University, and the World

Volume 5 Issue 4 (2023) 19 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0981