Photo by 27.05.2021
This photo was taken of an empty field of demolished buildings in Shenzhen, China. China's urbanisation process has been very rapid in recent years, transforming rural areas into cities and renovating urban buildings. This picture was taken in a vacant lot where an old building had just been knocked down. The construction waste has not even been cleared, the trees, bricks, and building materials piled on top of each other form a sharp contrast with the tall buildings opposite. Shortly, new tall buildings will be built on this vacant land, which will have more urban characteristics. I chose a black and white filter for this photo, which I think can better reflect the beauty of the ruined ruins.
Photo by 27.05.2021
This photo was taken under two upscale office buildings in Shenzhen, China. With the continuous development of urbanisation, more and more jobs and opportunities can be provided by cities (Murali et al. 2018). As a result, office buildings are constantly being planned and constructed in super first-tier cities like Shenzhen. The increased demand for office space also means more land is needed and the natural environment is being forced to shrink. In this photo, a small tree grows between two tall buildings, which is very tall compared to the surrounding stunted shrubs, while the excavator is still in operation. I think it can reflect the contradiction and sacrifice between urbanisation and natural harmony. I think we should pay attention to the harmony of nature as well as the development of urbanisation.
Photo by 27.05.2021
This photo was taken on the roof of the building where I live in Shenzhen. From this perspective, one can overlook the urban construction of Shenzhen. Residential buildings full of life, schools, and busy office buildings form a microcosm of the city. But in the course of urbanisation, these old buildings and buildings will be torn down and rebuilt, and constantly updated. This may also be the price of urbanisation. However, if a city is full of tall buildings, I think the atmosphere of the city will be very depressing.
Photo by 01.06.2021
This photo was taken at a vacant lot in Shenzhen. This is a newly developed piece of land but in the process of clearing the process to retain these three trees, which gives me a wonderful feeling. The topic of environment and urbanisation has been discussed by people all the time. The development and construction of urbanisation will inevitably cause conflicts with environmental protection, and incidents of cutting down trees and destroying grassland also occur frequently (Gizelis et al. 2021). And I was pleasantly surprised to find this open space, which retained a glimmer of life and kept this urban area from being surrounded by cold concrete and steel.
Photo by 01.06.2021
This photo was taken in a residential area in Shenzhen. This photo shows part of the construction of the residential area. In an urbanised city, traces of construction can be seen everywhere. Urbanisation will also increase the population, so the demand for housing is also increasing. This photo was taken to renovate the residential area so that residents can have a better living experience. In my opinion, the development of urbanisation is also reflected in paying more attention to the quality and details of life. A good living environment can also reflect the appearance of a city.
Photo by 03.06.2021
This photo was taken on a street I passed in Shenzhen. This photo shows the cityscape of Shenzhen. Shenzhen is a very young city in China, but it is almost completely urbanised. It is the largest continuously urbanised area in the world (Sala 2016). The city's streets feel, and the vegetation coverage is high, there are tall buildings everywhere, traffic facilities are complete, is a city with very perfect infrastructure and urban construction. Therefore, it can be seen that the urbanisation development of Shenzhen is very mature, and it is also a benchmark for other cities to learn from.
Photo by 15.05.2021
This photo was taken in a park in Shenzhen. This photo shows that Shenzhen has not abandoned the construction of the environment in the process of urbanisation. The park is full of green plants, and the buildings in the distance set off the scenery, adding green color to the city. In the process of shooting, I also accidentally took a warm picture of my family traveling. The development of urbanisation should also make residents' life more comfortable, and the balance and harmony between the city and nature should be achieved.
Photo by 15.05,2021
This uncle was the first people I interviewed. I met him when I was shooting in this park. Because he didn't want to show his face, I could only take a picture of his back. The old man, a native of Shenzhen, has witnessed the city's development from scratch. When I asked him about his experience, he said, "The faster the urbanisation is developing, the better the development of China is. More and more young people are crowding into the city, but the rapid development is also a challenge for the old people." He ended the interview by saying that it is lucky to witness the growth of a city.
Photo by 07.06 2021
This photo was taken under the Shimo Building in Xiamen, also in the old city area of Xiamen. Xiamen is not as urbanised as Shenzhen, with many villages in the city and old houses that have not been renovated. This picture highlights the city's character. It is one of the tallest buildings in Xiamen, with decades-old buildings underneath and a construction crane working behind it. These pictures show the process of Xiamen's urbanisation and the integration of old and new buildings. However, it is these buildings of different ages that give Xiamen a deeper cultural heritage and highlight the continuous development of the city.
Photo by 07.06.2021
This is my second interviewee. She is my good friend. We were classmates when we studied in Xiamen. She was born and brought up in Xiamen and has a deep feeling for the city's changes. She said to me: "Xiamen is a coastal city, in a few years ago was a fishing village, but with the development of economy, Xiamen has become a popular tourist city in China, to be able to seize the development opportunity, began to constantly urbanisation in Xiamen, the demolition of old buildings, the establishment of more stores, schools and buildings, perfecting the urban infrastructure, etc." As a resident who has witnessed the urbanisation development of Xiamen, the increasing convenience of life and the increasing beauty of the city are her biggest feelings.
