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Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

bbc.com

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Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#11

Post by seanmcdirmid »

dilemma wrote: post #7
jackcarter wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The blueprint was Corbusier's "Radiant City" proposal [0]. It took hold in the US in the form of lower-income housing projects. It turns out that it combines the worst of city life (anonymous neighbors, no personal outdoor space) with the worst of suburban life (unused common areas, lots of wasted space). [0]: http://www.archdaily.com/604056/north-america-s-radiant-city...

In China, common spaces are actually utilized.

To an incredible degree. We moved apartment complexes in Beijing because one had a better central area than the other (both were used, but the latter one was used much more).

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#12

Post by seanmcdirmid »

redleggedfrog wrote: post #2

"...internet access and freedom is curtailed: popular sites like Google, Facebook and YouTube are not accessible." That line caught my attention for two things. One, it intimates internet access is related to freedom, which I think has merit. And second, Google, Facebook, and YouTube are obviously not essential, cause those millions get by just fine without them.

> And second, Google, Facebook, and YouTube are obviously not essential, cause those millions get by just fine without them.

What's more, in parts of China where these websites aren't blocked (Hong Kong, Taiwan if we call it a part of China), they become very popular again and the mainland Chinese alternatives fall off the map.

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#13

Post by maxsilver »

jackcarter wrote: post #6
Alexx wrote: post #4

The most striking thing about visiting the southern industrial cities for me was how (especially towards the outskirts) they tend to build the exact same residential skyscraper several times next to each other. You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

The blueprint was Corbusier's "Radiant City" proposal [0]. It took hold in the US in the form of lower-income housing projects. It turns out that it combines the worst of city life (anonymous neighbors, no personal outdoor space) with the worst of suburban life (unused common areas, lots of wasted space). [0]: http://www.archdaily.com/604056/north-america-s-radiant-city...

I don't understand these criticisms. As an American, I think our cities would be vastly improved if we copied this form of housing for lots of people, instead of just low-income housing. (In my city, the low-income-only housing is usually the highest quality housing across the city, and is far nicer than anything a mid-income person is allowed to purchase).

The current alternative that US prefers is far worse, in my opinion -- these micro-unit apod-ment things, with no personal space, no outdoor space, grossly overburdened personal-areas-forced-into-common-areas, and general dorm-room-for-life lifestyle.

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#14

Post by [deleted] »

jackcarter wrote: post #6
Alexx wrote: post #4

The most striking thing about visiting the southern industrial cities for me was how (especially towards the outskirts) they tend to build the exact same residential skyscraper several times next to each other. You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

The blueprint was Corbusier's "Radiant City" proposal [0]. It took hold in the US in the form of lower-income housing projects. It turns out that it combines the worst of city life (anonymous neighbors, no personal outdoor space) with the worst of suburban life (unused common areas, lots of wasted space). [0]: http://www.archdaily.com/604056/north-america-s-radiant-city...

[deleted]

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#15

Post by [deleted] »

jackcarter wrote: post #6
Alexx wrote: post #4

The most striking thing about visiting the southern industrial cities for me was how (especially towards the outskirts) they tend to build the exact same residential skyscraper several times next to each other. You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

The blueprint was Corbusier's "Radiant City" proposal [0]. It took hold in the US in the form of lower-income housing projects. It turns out that it combines the worst of city life (anonymous neighbors, no personal outdoor space) with the worst of suburban life (unused common areas, lots of wasted space). [0]: http://www.archdaily.com/604056/north-america-s-radiant-city...

[deleted]

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#16

Post by davidreiss »

Alexx wrote: post #4

The most striking thing about visiting the southern industrial cities for me was how (especially towards the outskirts) they tend to build the exact same residential skyscraper several times next to each other. You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

> You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

You should visit the projects in the NY area or chicago. There are rows and rows of same red apartment complexes. But those seem to be falling out of favor now as they are being torn down.

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#17

Post by hibikir »

Alexx wrote: post #4

The most striking thing about visiting the southern industrial cities for me was how (especially towards the outskirts) they tend to build the exact same residential skyscraper several times next to each other. You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

Repeated, cheap residential housing is common everywhere, it's just a matter of height. In the US, we have cookie cutter suburbia. In England, you have row houses. In Spain, depending on the city, you go from 5 stories to 12 or so, depending on the city: For example, do an image search on Malaga around the bullfighting ring. China is just building taller.

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#18

Post by psyc »

Alexx wrote: post #4

The most striking thing about visiting the southern industrial cities for me was how (especially towards the outskirts) they tend to build the exact same residential skyscraper several times next to each other. You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

Does anybody else find it hilarious that not one, but two comments present suburbia as the eminent example of cheap rubber-stamp housing in the US?

Re: Shenzhen: China’s ‘skyscraper capital’

#19

Post by psyc »

jackcarter wrote: post #6
Alexx wrote: post #4

The most striking thing about visiting the southern industrial cities for me was how (especially towards the outskirts) they tend to build the exact same residential skyscraper several times next to each other. You just don't really see that in Western cities so much.

The blueprint was Corbusier's "Radiant City" proposal [0]. It took hold in the US in the form of lower-income housing projects. It turns out that it combines the worst of city life (anonymous neighbors, no personal outdoor space) with the worst of suburban life (unused common areas, lots of wasted space). [0]: http://www.archdaily.com/604056/north-america-s-radiant-city...

I wonder if the apartment-dwellers around central park are similarly despondent about their worst-of-all-worlds habitat.
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