Page 72 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Regeneration of Xinmalu, Ningbo

relevant understanding of identity is essential (Alraouf, Ningbo comprises the Ningbo City, three satellite cities
2019; Cody & Siravo, 2019). This dynamic interpretation (Cixi, Yuyao, and Fenghua), and two counties (Ninghai
is multilayered, suggesting that identity is anchored in the and Xiangshan) (Figure 1). It is a vibrant port city with
past but also connected to the present and to how a nation cultural attractions and unique natural features (Ningbo
envisions its future. With this interpretation, identity is not Municipal Tourism Administration, 2024); Ningbo is a
viewed as a mere final result but rather a dynamic process prominent economic core of Zhejiang province and a major
that keeps on evolving. Architectural and urban identity exporter of textiles, electrical products, food, and industrial
can become a trap if transformed into a mere visual style instruments (Hua & Chen, 2015). In 2022, the city’s total
and limited to an architectural and urban vocabulary gross domestic product was approximately US$125 billion,
borrowed from the past. Alternatively, identity should with 80% of this generated by the private sector in the
address questions relevant to the present and the future, city and its three satellite territories (NSY, 2022). Ningbo’s
th
rather than relying solely on a nostalgic approach to the export industry dates back to the 7 century, and it is one
past. Identity is not just a visual manifestation but an of China’s oldest cities, with over 8,000 years of history. As
essential part of social discourse. When heritage areas are part of the historical Silk Road trade route, Ningbo has
rehabilitated and revitalized, the multicultural complexity been a critical seaport and trading center in China (ION,
of contemporary societies must be taken into account. 2022; Wang, 2016). The city boasts outstanding heritage,
Contemporary Chinese cities are experiencing changes vibrant new developments, efficient infrastructure, cultural
that suggest new approaches to heritage within the context facilities, museums, and a continuous network of green
of unprecedented, complex urban transformations. Taylor paths and public spaces. Ningbo embraces new spatial
and Verdini (2021) have argued that heritage is identified concepts that encompass ecological quality and improve
not only as a technical development but also as a social living conditions for its inhabitants.
construct, with its value being crucial to the well-being In addition, the city is home to the Tianyi Ge Library,
of the community. People have a fundamental need for one of the oldest libraries in the world. Tianyi Ge Library
attachment to places, buildings, and objects. The social is the oldest existing library in China, established in 1561
uncertainty observed in contemporary times, due to with a collection of 70,000 antique books. Ningbo plays
multiple global challenges, has led to a sentimentalization a significant role in the “One Belt, One Road Initiative,”
of the past, as Kopec and Bliss (2020) have illustrated. which aims to boost international trade and cultural
4. Ningbo city: History and context exchange. The city is connected to the high-speed railway
network, linking it to Hangzhou, among other cities.
Ningbo, one of the largest ports in the world, is located in the Ningbo’s historic city and urban core are centered on
southeastern region of China, approximately 220 km south the confluence of the Yong, Fenghua, and Yuyao Rivers
of Shanghai, with a total area of 9,671 sqkm (Liu & Feng, (Figure 2). As Steinhardt (2019) has argued, similar to other
2016). As one of China’s most active trading ports since the Chinese cities, Ningbo has experienced rapid urbanization
Tang (618 – 907) and Song (960 – 1279) dynasties, Ningbo resulting from the creation of development zones in the
today operates as the second-largest Chinese harbor after 1980s and 1990s. The city now has a population of 7.6
Shanghai. The Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan is the busiest in million and spans over an area of 9.816 sqkm (Figure 3).
the world in terms of cargo tonnage (Ebbe & Hankey, 2010). The manufacturing and services industries are the two

Figure 1. Map showing the location of Ningbo in China (left panel) and the Xinmalu District in Ningbo (right panel). Source: Maps by the author based
on the Ningbo map provided in Wikitravel (https://wikitravel.org/en/Ningbo).

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2623