Public space as Remedy/public space as Goal

(i) public space as remedy(cn) public space as goal

Comparative studies between Chinese and German architectureProf. LI Zhenyu_Marco Capitanio_Tongji University WS 2011

LI

Italian

methodology

own experience, education & culture

How to understand and compare public space in Italy & China?

Hassenpflug, D. (2010) The Urban Code of China, 1st ed. Birkhäuser Architecture

italy

_historicaly established symbolical and functional use of

the square for civil society

_e.g. the forum in ancient Rome was both the commercial

and political center

_fundamental to create social identity

open space

public space

china

_preference for private/community-related spaces

compared with public/society-related spaces

_valorization through commercialization of meaningless

open space

_towards civic space in commercial urban open places

Hassenpflug, D. (2010) The Urban Code of China, 1st ed. Birkhäuser Architecture, 157

open space

public space

italy

_historicaly established symbolical and functional use of

the square for civil society

_e.g. the forum in ancient Rome was both the commercial

and political center

_fundamental to create social identity

open space

public space

Hassenpflug, D. (2010) The Urban Code of China, 1st ed. Birkhäuser Architecture, 157

china

_preference for private/community-related spaces

compared with public/society-related spaces

_valorization through commercialization of meaningless

open space

_towards civic space in commercial urban open places

Hassenpflug, D. (2010) The Urban Code of China, 1st ed. Birkhäuser Architecture, 157

open space

public space

italy

_historicaly established symbolical and functional use of

the square for civil society

_e.g. the forum in ancient Rome was both the commercial

and political center

_fundamental to create social identity

open space

public space

public space as REMEDYupgrading of Gratosoglio quarter, Milanarch. Cino Zucchi, 2003

periphery of Milan

periphery of Milan

SITUATION: degrading 1970’s slab housing

SITUATION: degrading 1970’s slab housing, relevant traditional buildings

SITUATION: degrading 1970’s slab housing, relevant traditional buildings, unattractive covered market

SITUATION: degrading 1970’s slab housing, relevant traditional buildings, unattractive covered market, tram station

SITUATION: degrading 1970’s slab housing, relevant traditional buildings, unattractive covered market, tram station

public space as GOALThumb Plaza, Pudong, Shanghai

community center of American influence for

neighborhood’s supply

occupies an entire block

highly commercialized

but its open space

can be accessed

without restrictions

Zendai Moma Museum

fountain

landmarks with elevators

logistics & parking

tennis court

air conditioning

statue

church

roof garden and stage

temporary stalls

odd mixture of functions and uses,

e.g. Shanghai’s first private art museum

on top of a bakery

neither fully private,

nor a fully developed public space

so what?!

based on its robust tradition, public

space is the main repository of identity,

and quality in built environment “Commercialization is indispensable for the genealogy of civil - and therefore public - spaces. The market always has been the crucial precondition for public space.”

Hassenpflug, D. (2010) The Urban Code of China, 1st ed. Birkhäuser Architecture, 32

image credits

_pp. 14 (top), 15, 17 (right), 18 (top): Pellegrini, P. C. (2005) Piazze e spazi pubblici: architetture 1990-2005, Federico Motta

Editore, Milano, pp. 218-223

_pp. 14 (bottom), 16, 17 (left), 18 (bottom), 21, 23-24: Marco Capitanio

_all graphics & diagrams by Marco Capitanio

_maps via Google Earth & bing.com

(i) public space as remedy(cn) public space as goal

Comparative studies between Chinese and German architectureProf. LI Zhenyu_Marco Capitanio_Tongji University WS 2011

LI

Italian