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Reflections on Place and Place‐making in the Cities of China

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  • JOHN FRIEDMANN

Abstract

This article is about the small spaces of the city we call ‘places’. Places are shaped by being lived in; they are spaces of encounter where the little histories of the city are played out. They are, of course, also shaped by the state through planning, supervision, ordinances, and so forth. The patterns and rhythms of life in the small spaces of the city are therefore not simply a straightforward projection of civil life. Places are also sites of resistance, contestation, and actions that are often thought to be illegal by the (local) state. After introducing the concept of place, the remainder of this article is a reflection on places and place‐making (but also place‐breaking) in urban China. Because the patterns and rhythms of urban life have continuity, however, my approach to their study was historical. The story told here is roughly divided into four major periods: Imperial China, Republican China, the People’s Republic under Mao Zedong, and the reform period from about 1980 onward. I then return to the concepts of place and place‐making with which I began, summarizing my findings and suggesting some topics for further research. Résumé Cet article traite des petits espaces de la ville qu’on appelle des ‘lieux’. Les lieux sont modelés par la vie qui s’y déroule; ce sont des espaces de rencontre où se jouent les petites histoires d’une ville. Bien sûr, ils sont aussi façonnés par l’Etat, à travers l’aménagement, le contrôle, les règlements, etc. Les modèles et rythmes de vie dans les petits espaces urbains ne sont donc pas une projection pure de la vie civique. Ce sont aussi des scènes de résistance, de contestation et d’actions souvent jugées illégales par les autorités (locales). Après le concept de lieu, l’article présente une réflexion sur les lieux et leur fabrication (ainsi que leur fracture) dans la Chine urbaine. Les modèles et rythmes de la vie urbaine présentant une continuité, l’approche appliquée à leur étude est historique. Le récit rapporté se décompose en quatre grandes périodes: la Chine impériale, la Chine républicaine, la République populaire de Mao Zedong et l’ère réformatrice depuis 1980 environ. L’article revient ensuite sur les concepts de lieux et de fabrication de lieux en résumant les résultats obtenus et en suggérant quelques thèmes de recherche à approfondir.

Suggested Citation

  • John Friedmann, 2007. "Reflections on Place and Place‐making in the Cities of China," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 257-279, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijurrs:v:31:y:2007:i:2:p:257-279
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2007.00726.x
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    Cited by:

    1. John Friedmann, 2007. "Forum 2007," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 38(6), pages 987-998, November.
    2. Zheng Wang & Fangzhu Zhang & Fulong Wu, 2020. "The contribution of intergroup neighbouring to community participation: Evidence from Shanghai," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(6), pages 1224-1242, May.
    3. Matt Patterson, 2012. "The Role of the Public Institution in Iconic Architectural Development," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(15), pages 3289-3305, November.
    4. Greif, Avner & Tabellini, Guido, 2017. "The clan and the corporation: Sustaining cooperation in China and Europe," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 1-35.
    5. Rob Imrie & Emma Street, 2009. "Regulating Design: The Practices of Architecture, Governance and Control," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 46(12), pages 2507-2518, November.
    6. Xuan Sun & Weikai Wang & Tao Sun & Ya Ping Wang, 2018. "Understanding the Living Conditions of Chinese Urban Neighborhoods through Social Infrastructure Configurations: The Case Study of Tianjin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, September.
    7. Fulong Wu, 2009. "Land Development, Inequality and Urban Villages in China," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 885-889, December.
    8. Avner Greif & Guido Tabellini, 2010. "Cultural and Institutional Bifurcation: China and Europe Compared," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 100(2), pages 135-140, May.
    9. Amirzadeh, Melika & Sharifi, Ayyoob, 2024. "The evolutionary path of place making: From late twentieth century to post-pandemic cities," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    10. Fu, Qiang, 2018. "Bringing urban governance back in: Neighborhood conflicts and depression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 1-9.

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