[RE]COLONIZATION OF THE LILONG : AN ARTISTS' COLONY AND MIGRANTS QUARTERS IN SHANGHAI

Abstract

Lilongs are indigenous housing settlements found all over Shanghai. Up till the 90s, they account for 80% of the total housing in Shanghai, making it the most common form of residential type. However, since the mid-90s, under China's Open and Reform policy, many lilong settlements have been demolished to make way for new constructions. The unlimited demolition of valuable Lilong housings presents environmental, social and cultural problems. This thesis aims to revitalize a lilong settlement. The site is situated along Fujian Road, also popularly known as “Cultural Street” for its great numbers of shops selling art supplies, and bookstores. The lilong settlement has 11 units of housing, each unit shared by 3-6 families or groups. The lilong settlement will be occupied by an artists' colony consisting of studio facilities, workshops, housing, retail, library, offices and other amenities. Within this microcosm of artists' colony is a sub-microcosmic development of housing quarters for the city's illegal rural migrant workers. The coexistence of these two communities presents the possibilities of a rich potpourri of experiences and social realities evident in all lilong settlements. The socio-realist works of many left-wing artists and poets of the 1930s were borne out of this context in similar lilong settings. In modern times, this artists' enclave strives to be a place of social exchanges and experiences amidst the towering skyscrapers in the city.