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Exploring Pathways for the Renewal of Older Residential Neighborhoods from an Informal Design Perspective

Author(s)

Yalin Zhang1, Jing Li1,*, Mengnan Qi2

Affiliation(s)

1North China University of Technology, Beijing, China 2China Architecture Design and Research Group, Beijing, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

The urban renewal process in China has seen a significant change in recent years from one of expansion to an approach that involves enhancing quality. In light of this trend, old housing areas have received increased attention as there is greater recognition of the need for renewal processes. Nonetheless, conventional planning tends to be highly directive, making it impossible to activate grassroots involvement or take into consideration the varying needs of citizens. In contrast, this research proposes an alternative strategy through which a community-oriented renewal model is analyzed based on citizen participation. Based on participant observation and three case studies conducted in Beijing, this paper presents a reproducible model that consists of four stages: need identification, empowerment, construction, and maintenance. With this model, the paper reframes the design process itself to change it from merely a technical practice to an impetus for collective actions, building capacity, and trust. The research literature indicates that informal design processes, especially those focused on public green spaces, help people become actively involved in decision-making, planning, and management, and therefore provide a viable and humane approach to conventional urban renewal.

Keywords

Informal Design; Public Participation; Older Residential Neighborhoods; Urban Renewal; Micro-Gardens

References

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