Still a Cultural Project, Xuelin Essays | Zhong Fulan: Urban Renewal is Not Only a Livelihood Project | Shanghai | Protection | Urban Renewal
With the wave of urban renewal, Shanghai conducted a large-scale survey of a certain area of land, cataloging and cataloging many architectural heritage sites, and initially accumulated some experience in the process of revitalization.
For example, the "micro update" method of taking small steps and running quickly is adopted to update abandoned or idle factories into art galleries, exhibition halls, workshops, bookstores, joint offices, etc. after simple design and minor renovation.
Due to the integration of various cultural elements, the originally dilapidated factories have become beautiful urban landscapes, and some have even become new urban cultural landmarks, not only beautifying the city but also enriching the lives of citizens and improving the quality of space.
It should be noted that urban renewal is not only a livelihood project, but also a cultural project. How to revitalize the history and culture of cities is a topic that humanities scholars and urban builders should jointly consider.
For example, when examining the land memory of Dahongqiao, a key focus is on the Wusong River flowing in southern Jiangsu and Shanghai. There are numerous rivers in Jiangnan, such as Beixinjing, Qibao, Hongqiao, Huacao, Huajing, Maqiao, Caohejing, including Xinzhuang, Qingpu, Jiwang, Zhuzhai, etc., all of which are directly connected to the Wusong River system, forming a wonderful and unparalleled land memory of Shanghai. Starting from the study of land memory in Dahongqiao, we can better plan the chapter of urban renewal.
For another example, in the minds of many old Shanghainese, Yu Garden is a "perceptual existence", a symbol of folk fireworks and a gathering place of Shanghai style culture. Today, the Yu Garden Mall receives tens of millions of citizens and tourists every year, which has become the "China in the eyes of foreigners, Shanghai in the eyes of Chinese, and hometown in the eyes of Shanghainese". The Yu Garden area is an important carrier of urban culture, and we should find ways to make it glow with greater vitality.
The best way to preserve historical buildings is through protection during their revitalization and utilization; The best way to protect the urban context is through innovation through inheritance. If the birth of Zhangyuan a hundred years ago was a fruitful achievement of Shanghai style culture, then the urban renewal of Zhangyuan can be seen as a display of regaining cultural confidence. It retains the essence of Zhangyuan back then, and by highly integrating urban business and leisure functions, consumption functions, and cultural functions, it transforms the updated area from waiting for "blood transfusion" to improving its own "hematopoietic" function, achieving sustainable development.
There are more urban renewal cases worth paying attention to and summarizing. Some historical buildings in the Suhewan area of Jing'an District have been renovated and protected, and have now been reintroduced; After the restoration of the Four Rows Warehouse, it has become an important patriotic education base for war sites; After the restoration of the former site of the Shanghai General Chamber of Commerce, it has become the business center of world-class hotels; After the repair of Xintai Warehouse, it has become a well-known headquarters office space for domestic enterprises
The most important thing about a city is the people and their spirit. Folk fireworks include clothing, food, shelter, transportation, as well as communication, expression, and creation. The origin and roots of Shanghai style culture are rooted in folk fireworks, with tradition, characteristics, strength, and potential. Its essence is to be inclusive, draw on the strengths of others, actively strive for progress, and innovate.
Self proclaimed and outdated practices cannot be considered as inheritance, and cutting off one's bloodline and creating something out of thin air cannot be considered innovation. In urban renewal, it is recommended to make great efforts to comprehensively sort out the intangible cultural heritage resources in Shanghai and compile a directory for protection and utilization. This can not only protect the legitimate rights and interests of property owners, but also make relevant government departments aware of it, and help lead the diversified operation of industries and property rights.
