Author Description

This report summarizes a field studio project in which North American and Chinese students carried out neighbourhood studies in the ancient city of Quanzhou, China. Research & documentation activities in the project included mapping of land uses, building age & type, social activity in public spaces, and environmental problems; architectural studies of individual housing units; interviews with residents, developers, local committee members, and urban management officials; and neighbourhood resident questionnaire surveys. The work focussed primarily on residential environments at three sites in Quanzhou: Qing Long Xiang, Hou Cheng Xiang/Ba Gua Gou, and Dong Mei. The report discusses such matters as urban development & redevelopment, architectural preservation, and environmental & social impacts of redevelopment. The concluding section makes observations on planning for the future of Quanzhou.