COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Chinese Polycentric City & Traditional Neighborhood Development: Xi’an, China
Creator:
Zhao, Chen
Subject:
Thesis (M.U.D.) -- Urban Design
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Urban Design
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"China should slow down the development of the city centers and instead work on developing the surrounding areas. To address this topic connections will be made between these centers, focusing on building up neighborhoods in the undeveloped areas. A site in Xi’an, China will be used to prove the Theory of Polycentric. Because the Chinese government has just started to practice the Theory of Polycentric cities, and because of the background and policy in China, there are many urban problems resulting from the practice of polycentric cities.
The development of metropolitan areas in the world presents a growing 'polycentric' trend, known as an edge city. They form their own separate identity, but they are closely related to the center city. This polycentric mega metropolitan area has become a worldwide phenomenon, with prominent examples such as Los Angeles and other northeastern cities in the U.S., China’s Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta, and the Netherland’s Randstad and Germany’s Rhine Lu Erjun.
With the huge development in China over the past 20 years the cities have became larger and have grown into an awkward shape. First-tier cities, the largest metropolitan cities, are becoming too large and awkward on the surface, thus bringing many urban problems. Some examples of these problems are urban overpopulation, traffic congestion and energy waste. Xi’an, one of the rapidly developing cities provides the opportunity to solve these urban problems in the future.
Xi’an is a historical city with rich cultural deposits. In Xi’an city there are large historical protected areas. Excessive development has occurred within the urban centers. In order to protect the city wall and alleviate the pressure from the center of the city a master plan, called the Polycentric Theory, is now being conducted. The site the project will focus on is in the southeast part of Xi’an, which is surrounded by several urban villages. A problem with this area is that it is next to the second ring road. Traffic is not convenient because currently there is not a road connecting to any place, which makes it an undeveloped area.
To help make this community better a connection will be made to make it a more convenient place for traveling. Also, a commercial center will be built here, which could support the neighborhoods and attract people to revitalize this place. Another goal will be to create some residential buildings not only for the students from the surrounding area, but also for the people who work nearby. Finally the transportation network will be updated to allow connections to other centers. This could help make this area link point on the city scale, and it would give the area an opportunity to support other centers. Based on these four points I will create walkable spaces, comfortable scales, local work, and connect with neighborhoods; all of these points are items people want in their environment."
The development of metropolitan areas in the world presents a growing 'polycentric' trend, known as an edge city. They form their own separate identity, but they are closely related to the center city. This polycentric mega metropolitan area has become a worldwide phenomenon, with prominent examples such as Los Angeles and other northeastern cities in the U.S., China’s Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta, and the Netherland’s Randstad and Germany’s Rhine Lu Erjun.
With the huge development in China over the past 20 years the cities have became larger and have grown into an awkward shape. First-tier cities, the largest metropolitan cities, are becoming too large and awkward on the surface, thus bringing many urban problems. Some examples of these problems are urban overpopulation, traffic congestion and energy waste. Xi’an, one of the rapidly developing cities provides the opportunity to solve these urban problems in the future.
Xi’an is a historical city with rich cultural deposits. In Xi’an city there are large historical protected areas. Excessive development has occurred within the urban centers. In order to protect the city wall and alleviate the pressure from the center of the city a master plan, called the Polycentric Theory, is now being conducted. The site the project will focus on is in the southeast part of Xi’an, which is surrounded by several urban villages. A problem with this area is that it is next to the second ring road. Traffic is not convenient because currently there is not a road connecting to any place, which makes it an undeveloped area.
To help make this community better a connection will be made to make it a more convenient place for traveling. Also, a commercial center will be built here, which could support the neighborhoods and attract people to revitalize this place. Another goal will be to create some residential buildings not only for the students from the surrounding area, but also for the people who work nearby. Finally the transportation network will be updated to allow connections to other centers. This could help make this area link point on the city scale, and it would give the area an opportunity to support other centers. Based on these four points I will create walkable spaces, comfortable scales, local work, and connect with neighborhoods; all of these points are items people want in their environment."
Abstract:
Keywords: polycentric city, Xi’an, revitalize undeveloped area
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2017-02
Format:
PDF : 65 pages, color illustrations, color maps