Design history of China's gated cities and neighbourhoods: Prototype and evolution

Abstract

As a global phenomenon, the gating form of gated community is often understood within a general context which by and large ignores the significance of the unique historical, political and socio-cultural momentums in a specific urban context. Through a historical review of the vicissitudes of gated cities, neighbourhoods and residential compounds in China and their physical evolution as well as the social change behind them, this paper endeavours to reveal that the enclosed physical forms and organizational patterns of gated community are deeply ingrained in the Chinese history of city design. Moreover, it shows that rather than exhibiting a localized version of a global process, gated community in contemporary China has its own socio-political rationale in the making. In consequence, the ingrained tradition and unique developing trajectory have a profound impact on both the visible and the invisible characteristics of gated community in China today, while the latter has eventually distinguished itself from all its predecessors in history. Based on this review, this paper concludes by arguing that any comprehensive understanding of gated community in contemporary China can only be achieved if the significance of the historical and local socio-political context is fully appreciated.

Enclave Urbanism In China: Consequences and Interpretations

“…Zhang, 2010). Other scholars also pay attention to the club-good theory (Wu, 2005;Webster et al, 2006;Xu & Yang, 2009), while Miao (2003) and Wu (2005) focus on the fear of crime. And even though she does not refer to gated communities, Hsing (2010) clearly shows how the Chinese construction boom has been produced by coalitions between local governments, developers, and middle-class home owners.…”

“…Gates and walls have always been part of the Chinese urban landscape (Wu, 2005;Huang, 2006;Xu and Yang, 2009;Pow, 2009). Prior to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), cities had external walls and internal walled-off wards (Xu and Yang, 2009).…”

“…Prior to the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), cities had external walls and internal walled-off wards (Xu and Yang, 2009). When these walls eventually came down, residential zones surrounded by main roads kept their distinct character.…”

Traditional architectural forms in market oriented Chinese cities: Place for localities or symbol of culture?

“…In addition, place promotion has been conducted through the construction of landmark architecture, place branding and consumption, for instance, the 2008 Olympic Game Village in Beijing, high-end shopping malls, supermarkets, plush hotels and international chain stores. Also, there are exclusive gated communities (Xu & Yang, 2008, 2009 and dilapidated migrant enclaves (Liu, He, Wu, & Webster, 2010) in those cities.…”

Deciphering the Prevalence of Neighborhood Enclosure Amidst Post-1949 Chinese Cities

“…The urban morphologies and structures of many Chinese cities seem to stand at a contrasting pole to the normative ideal of the open city. Ancient Chinese cities are conventionally labeled ''walled cities'' (Knapp 2000) and ''gated cities'' (Xu and Yang 2009). The urban morphology of the modern Chinese city has steered an even more complicated course after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.…”