2. Context
• My study examined the economic impact
that these hutongs have had on tourism,
as well as discussed issues surrounding
their destruction due to urban renewal
projects.
projects
3. Position
• That they should be preserved for future
generations as they can have a greater
economic impact in the long term and
are integral to the culture and urban
design fabric of Beijing and Greater
China.
4. Important figures
• Between 1990 and 1998 the city of Beijing
1998,
demolished 4.2 million square meters of
housing in the old city
• B t
Between 2003 and 2006 a thi d of th
d 2006, third f the
62km squared area that makes up the
central part of the old city has now b
t l t f th ld it h been
destroyed (UNESCO)
5. Why?
• Aggressive programs of urban renewal
and urbanisation
• Littl emphasis on cultural, hi t i l
Little h i lt l historical,
scientific and artistic value of the hutongs
• Decreasing amount of unbuilt space and
demand f h
d d for housing
i
• Market potential of land based
development and rising house prices
6. Why?
y
• Victim of modernisation
• Need for major restoration - sub
standard form of housing lacking modern
amenities
• Many residents no longer satisfied with
their living conditions
• Located in valuable central and strategic
valuable,
city areas
7. Why?
• No longer seen as economically viable
• Government has relied on taxes and
profits from land sales to fund other
expenditure
8. Can the Hutongs be saved?
• Yes! - Predominately through tourism and
new thinking on regeneration
• Three Methods
- Commodification
- Disneyfication
- Regeneration (Ju’er project)
(Ju er
9. Conclusion
• N d f b tt regulation of l d
Need for better l ti f land
development
• All three alternatives show that economic and
social d
i l development d
l t does not h
t have t come at
to t
the destruction of Beijings Hutongs
• Need for balance between heritage versus
housing shortages and affordability
h i h t d ff d bilit
• Tourism has knock an economic knock on
effect
10. References
• http://www.utne.com/uploadedImages/utne/blogs
/Media/Beijing-Hutong.jpg?n=9416
/Media/Beijing-Hutong jpg?n=9416
• http://www asianet fi/asianet/english/databases/
http://www.asianet.fi/asianet/english/databases/
material_bank/6_pictures/pics/China_Hutongs_
Vaclav_Laifr.jpg
ac a a jpg
• Tibet Heritage Fund International (2010) Beijing
(2010).
Hutong Conservation Plan
http://www.tibetheritagefund.org/media/download/h
utong_study.pdf
