Beijing’s HutongsBeijing s Hutongs

Paul Kwok Keong McMurrayPaul Kwok Keong McMurray 384014

ContextContext

• My study examined the economic impactMy study examined the economic impact that these hutongs have had on tourism, as well as discussed issues surroundingas well as discussed issues surrounding their destruction due to urban renewal projectsprojects.

PositionPosition

• That they should be preserved for futureThat they should be preserved for future generations as they can have a greater economic impact in the long term andeconomic impact in the long term and are integral to the culture and urban design fabric of Beijing and Greaterdesign fabric of Beijing and Greater China.

Important figuresImportant figures

• Between 1990 and 1998 the city of BeijingBetween 1990 and 1998, the city of Beijing demolished 4.2 million square meters of housing in the old cityhousing in the old city

B t 2003 d 2006 thi d f th• Between 2003 and 2006, a third of the 62km squared area that makes up the

t l t f th ld it h bcentral part of the old city has now been destroyed (UNESCO)

Why?Why?• Aggressive programs of urban renewal

and urbanisationand urbanisation

Littl h i lt l hi t i l• Little emphasis on cultural, historical, scientific and artistic value of the hutongs

• Decreasing amount of unbuilt space and d d f h idemand for housing

• Market potential of land based development and rising house prices

Why?y• Victim of modernisation

• Need for major restoration - sub standard form of housing lacking modernstandard form of housing lacking modern amenities

• Many residents no longer satisfied with their living conditionstheir living conditions

• Located in valuable central and strategic• Located in valuable, central and strategic city areas

Why?Why?• No longer seen as economically viable

• Government has relied on taxes andGovernment has relied on taxes and profits from land sales to fund other expenditureexpenditure

Can the Hutongs be saved?Can the Hutongs be saved?• Yes! - Predominately through tourism and

new thinking on regenerationnew thinking on regeneration

• Three Methods - Commodification - Disneyfication

Regeneration (Ju’er project)- Regeneration (Ju er project)

Conclusion N d f b tt l ti f l d• Need for better regulation of land development

• All three alternatives show that economic and i l d l t d t h t tsocial development does not have to come at

the destruction of Beijings Hutongs

• Need for balance between heritage versus h i h t d ff d bilithousing shortages and affordability

• Tourism has knock an economic knock on effect

ReferencesReferences • 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.jpgac a _ a jpg

• Tibet Heritage Fund International (2010) BeijingTibet Heritage Fund International (2010). Beijing Hutong Conservation Plan

http://www.tibetheritagefund.org/media/download/hhttp://www.tibetheritagefund.org/media/download/hutong_study.pdf