MAY 28, 2021
THE WALLS OF THE DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS LEAN OUTWARD IN THE SHANTYTOWN, QINGDAO, Shandong, CHINA
THE WALLS OF THE DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS LEAN OUTWARD IN THE SHANTYTOWN, QINGDAO, Shandong, CHINA
The Qingdao municipal government has decided to renovate the shantytown and turn it into an industrial design innovation centre.
Director of Qingdao Urban-Rural Development Bureau Weihua Chen introduces the renovation project in a recent press conference.
Director of Qingdao Urban-Rural Development Bureau Weihua Chen introduces the renovation project in a recent press conference.
“The first phase is to requisition dilapidated buildings and give compensation to their owners accordingly,” he said.
“We will then transform this declining residential area and establish QIDC, Qingdao Industrial Design Innovation Centre.”
The entire project will be completed in five years, and it is expected to revitalize the economy of this area, Economic Daily News reported.
“We will then transform this declining residential area and establish QIDC, Qingdao Industrial Design Innovation Centre.”
The entire project will be completed in five years, and it is expected to revitalize the economy of this area, Economic Daily News reported.
MAY 28, 2021
Liyuan is divided internally into private rooms and communal spaces, Qingdao, Shandong, CHINA
Liyuan is divided internally into private rooms and communal spaces, Qingdao, Shandong, CHINA
The shantytown has high conservation value because it consists of many courtyards with over a century of history.
Associate Professor of Qingdao Technology University Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning Xiahong Yu said this form of courtyard called Liyuan has high aesthetic value and academic value.
“Liyuan is a unique residential architecture created by locals with both traditional and western flavours,” she said.
“It only exists in Qingdao and is relatively well preserved. Now, it is applying to be inscribed in the World Heritage List.”According to government open data, the Qingdao municipal government has established a panel of experts and allocated four million yuan in support of the application.
Associate Professor of Qingdao Technology University Institute of Architecture and Urban Planning Xiahong Yu said this form of courtyard called Liyuan has high aesthetic value and academic value.
“Liyuan is a unique residential architecture created by locals with both traditional and western flavours,” she said.
“It only exists in Qingdao and is relatively well preserved. Now, it is applying to be inscribed in the World Heritage List.”According to government open data, the Qingdao municipal government has established a panel of experts and allocated four million yuan in support of the application.
June 5, 2021
An abandoned doll raises its hand in Liyuan, Qingdao, Shandong, CHINA
With urbanisation, Liyuan is gradually abandoned as many residents have moved out of Liyuan to pursue high-quality life.
Dr Yu said Liyuan was designed in the context of German colonisation, and it doesn’t meet the increasing requirements of people.
“At that time, people didn’t have enough space to live, so they shared facilities to make full use of space,” she said.
“Now people can’t stand the overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions.”
Dr Yu’s research shows Liyuan district was the earliest urban residential complex in China. It was built in the 1920s and declined after the 1970s.
June 5, 2021
A resident sitting by the door smokes and gossips with neighbours in Liyuan, Qingdao, Shandong, CHINA
Liyuan carries the history and culture of Qingdao, so it has a special place in local people’s heart.
Dr Yu said Liyuan is an important place for nostalgia that bears the precious memory of many people.
“People miss the harmonious relationship between neighbours in Liyuan, especially the old generation,” she said.
“Children were yelling and chasing each other in the yard. The good old days were filled with happiness and joy.”
Today, the vacant Liyuan is grim and dreary, only hearing occasional murmurs from the elderly and sudden noises made by cars and factories.
May 28, 2021
The line divides the building before and after transformation, No.49, Huangdao Road, Qingdao, Shandong, CHINA
The government and experts attach great importance to the renovation of Liyuan and have made careful preparations.
According to Shandong province urban construction regulation issued lately, historical building renovation needs long-range planning to achieve a comprehensive balance among economic, social, and environmental benefits.
Dr Yu said the renewal of Liyuan is truly a long-term process and needs to adapt to local conditions.
“Before the government officially started this project, many seminars were conducted to discuss the future development of Liyuan,” she said.
“For each Liyuan, we take different strategies to match the actual situation.”
June 11, 2021
A worker hoses down the walls of Liyuan, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
After completing several pilot projects, the renovation has achieved initial success.
The data published by the Urban-Rural Development Department of Shandong Province shows Liyuan has been renovated for over 4000 square meters, and by the end of the year, another 12000 households will be renovated.
Dr Yu said the district after renovation attracts innovative enterprises and individuals to revitalize the culture and economy of Liyuan.
“Eighteen cutting-edge design enterprises have decided to have studios in new Liyuan,” she said.
“Not long after, restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, and other amenities will also emerge in Liyuan, developing it into an industrial design innovation centre.”
JUNE 11, 2021
The head of the Luochuan design studio YINGXIN REN (25) PRESENTS THE PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE RENOVATION IN HER RENTED LIYUAN, QINGDAO, Shandong, CHINA.
The head of the Luochuan design studio YINGXIN REN (25) PRESENTS THE PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE RENOVATION IN HER RENTED LIYUAN, QINGDAO, Shandong, CHINA.
The settled design enterprise expresses confidence about the prospect of the new district.
The head of Luochuan design studio Yingxin Ren said she was attracted by Liyuan’s profound history, wishing to get more inspiration here.
“Rich traditional culture has long been an inspiration for designers and artists,” Ms Ren said.
“Liyuan is a unique architecture, an extraordinary artwork. Its rich history stimulates our imagination.”
Ms Ren believes Liyuan will have greater potential in the future.
“We can easily communicate and cooperate with various design enterprises at home and abroad,” she said.
“After the district transforms completely, I think it will become a new tourism hot spot.”
June 11, 2021
A tourist visits photographer Xiaoliang Shi's exhibition City Walk in the gallery of Liyuan, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Yingxin Ren and her colleagues also operate a non-profit gallery in Liyuan.
Ms Ren said the gallery exhibits artwork and photography to bring together art enthusiasts from all parts of the country.
“We want to set up a platform, providing opportunities for artists, designers, and photographers to communicate and cooperate,” she said.
“We have operated four exhibitions and won the widespread high praise of visitors.”
This time they invited a Chinese photographer Xiaoliang Shi to hold the exhibition City Walk, presenting ignored beautiful scenery in the fast-paced city. More than 300 people have signed up to visit the exhibition.
June 5, 2021
New Liyuan district is empty because few tourists know and visit here, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Besides looking forward to Liyuan’s future, Ms Ren also talks about the operational and financial stresses.
Ms Ren said the high initial cost and low flow of visitors make the enterprise get into a difficult position.
“Liyuan is not famous as a tourist attraction yet, but the rent is very high,” she said.
“Besides, the noise made by the nearby Liyuan under construction heavily affects our daily operation.”
Due to the shantytown renovation hasn’t completed, the Liyuan district is still surrounded by dingy old houses and rickety temporary structures. The noise and dust pollution from the construction site constantly torture these hopeful new tenants.
JUNE 16, 2021
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING XIAHONG YU (38) INTRODUCES LIYUAN TO THE REPORTER IN QINGDAO TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, QINGDAO, SHANDONG, CHINA.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING XIAHONG YU (38) INTRODUCES LIYUAN TO THE REPORTER IN QINGDAO TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, QINGDAO, SHANDONG, CHINA.
The existing problem mentioned by Ms Ren has also been acknowledged by the authorities.
Deputy mayor of Qingdao Xinxue Liu said the local government will support innovative entrepreneurs by supplying 1000 rent-free Liyuan this year in an interview with Qingdao broadcasting station.
Dr Yu said Liyuan has a strong competitive advantage in the tourism market.
“Liyuan, as a valuable historical heritage can be used as a basis for the development of cultural tourism,” she said.
“Moreover, Qingdao government has invested large amounts of money to support its renovation.”
“Similar to Shanghai's Alley, Beijing's Quadrangles, Liyuan will become the symbol of Qingdao.”
About the photographer
Special thanks to Dr Andrea Jean Baker who gives me help and support.
