(UN)ANTICIPATED PUBLIC SPACES : A STUDY OF THE HIERARCHICAL SPATIAL SYSTEM AND ITS ASSOCIATED SPATIAL PRACTICE IN CHINESE METROPOLITANS

Abstract

One phenomenon often observed in Chinese cities is how resilient urban dwellers could make use of some urban spaces that was used in the way they never intended to be. Minor streets converted into night markets or temporary soccer field in the evening. Pedestrian walkways under flyovers are turned into a tai chi practice venue in the morning and a disco/break dance floor at night. Big steps and open grounds in front of public buildings become the performance venue to show off the local talents. If true cultural spaces still exist in the rapidly urbanized Chinese cities, these spaces would be the true form of its representation. However random and temporary the activities seem to be, these spaces that contains the public activities are a systematically organized spatial system. This essay attempts to investigate the inter-relationship of the three variables presented in this phenomenon: space; people and activities. The research focuses on two core questions: 1. Does the relationship (relationships) between these variables really exists? 2. If it does, what is the relationship? The dissertation uses the hierarchical spatial system commonly found in Chinese cities as the structural framework. Spaces of different hierarchical levels and different periods of time are examined with social group (people) and activities individually in order to thoroughly understand the relationship in different situations. A case study is followed to provide a complete picture the whole spatial system in the same urban context.