Xiasha From A Century Of Urban Culture From The Radiation Function

Xiasha Town of Nanhui District used to be an important hub for salt industry and it was one of 34 large salt fields along China's coastal area in Ming and Qing dynasties. It was so prosperous with too many dealers that it became a hub of politics, economy and culture of the eastern Songjiang Prefecture. It was also during that time that Xiasha developed itself by making use of its location advantage, economic leverage and cultural inheritance. But Xiasha fell into a decline due to the salt field shifting eastward and the scourge of war。During the urbanization process of China in the 20th century Shanghai grew to become an economic center functioning as hubs for shipping, foreign trade, finance, industry and information. A city's economic prosperity brings about a flourishing culture and a beneficial result on its surrounding areas within a large radius around the city. Near Huangpu River, Xiasha was situated within the radius of Shanghai's influence and thus benefited a lot from the central city. Xiasha's history of 100 years was a history of being influenced by Shanghai. This article takes Xiasha as an example and makes a thorough study on Xiasha's synchronized development with Shanghai with respect to its outer apperance, economy, commerce, social undertakings, culture, customs and people's thinking to demonstrate to the reader how the central city was exerting an influence on its surrounding towns in terms of their economy, society and culture. Meanwhile the article gives space to the interaction between a central city and one of its surrounding towns in the new period to find a solution to the problems caused by the consistent urbanization and towns'development in the 20th century.According to its development mode, Xiaxha Town experienced the period before the 20th century of developing itself by relying on its own conditions, the period during the 20th century of being influenced and driven by Shanghai and the period after the 20th century of interacting with the central city based on its existing conditions and the government's planning. The article puts emphasis on its second period and shows to the reader how a central city could exert a cultural influence on the towns by reviewing Xiasha's vicissitudes during the last century.First, a county family of Liu transformed to a family of diplomacy from a family of Confucius reverence as a result of being influenced culturally by the central city. This transformation acts as a model to lead the town to develop under the influence of the city.Second, Xiasha Shuchang used to provide the local people with its public space for social life. It was also a manifestation of the city influencing the town and the town's rise and fall with the city.Lastly, the historical and cultural heritage of the Group 13 of Pailou Village is a mark indicating Xiasha's transformation from being influenced by the city to interacting with the city. The town's tradition and the concept of eco-efficiency will be integrated into the city's multiculture.In short, the last century of Xiasha reflects the history of Shanghai spreading its influence around culturally, during which the town went through a major change in terms of its economy, infrastructure, education, entertainment and the domain of culture.