An Appropriate Approach To Organic Renewal In The Residential Areas Of Old Beijing

The old city of Beijing is not only a prototype of the historic city in China, but also a renowned cultural center across the world. However, with the emergence and rapid rise of the real estate market since the 1990s, more and more large-scale redevelopment projects have rushed into the old city. This has led to the demolishing of the historic environment and has caused many socio-economic problems within Old Beijing. Therefore, an essential question has been raised as to how to preserve Old Beijing in the process of such a rapid urban development.This dissertation is devoted to examining the conservation and development of the residential area in the old city of Beijing from an urban planning perspective. This is achieved by using the theories of urban planning and architecture, combined with other related disciplines including sociology, economics, law, ecology, aesthetics, and urban history. The author evaluates the large-scale commercial redevelopment and builds up a comprehensive structure of research and policy framework for the organic renewal in the residential areas of Old Beijing. Furthermore, the author further develops the Organic Renewal Theory originally established by Professor Wu Liangyong by drawing upon the essence of the theory from the angle of planning methodology.The dissertation is composed of three parts. Part â…  begins by reviewing the history of the large-scale redevelopment process in the old city of Beijing. This is followed by an analysis of the reasons why this mode of large-scale redevelopment has become dominant in Beijing since the 1990's. In the last part of this session, the author offers a critical appraisal of the defects of the large-scale redevelopment based on the experiences and lessons of Urban Renewal in the western cities.Part â…¡ focuses on the indivisible relationship between the historic conservation and urban development. By discussing the strategic value of the old city, the author evaluates the problems that exist both in the current administrative structure responsible for urban planning in Beijing and within academic research in this field. New urban planning strategy and urban land manage mechanism is proposed.Part â…¢ addresses on the theory and practice of organic renewal in residential areas of the old city of Beijing. At first, Ju'er Hugong and the other projects inparticular are used as examples to illustrate the concept and methodology of the Organic Renewal Theory. The author then discusses the socio-economic implications and feasibility of the small-scale self-help redevelopment and renovations. Lastly, through a study on the successful experience of "Community Architecture" movement, the author proposes a new policy framework for organic renewal ?"Community Cooperative Housing"- with an emphasis on the resident participation and community cooperation.After summarizing the dissertation, the epilogue concludes with some recommendations on the organic renewal in residential areas of the old city of Beijing.