Farming and Living in Chinese Urban Villages

Abstract

China has experienced rapid urbanization which has substantially increased pressure on rural land. The physical expansion of cities has transformed villages once located in rural areas into villages in urban areas. Groups of high-rise glass towers are being built to surround these villages. Thus, urban villages are facing problems, such as, crowded and cluttered material landscapes, unhealthy living environments, as well as security and social issues. As a result, people struggle to cope with urban lives in this environment.

This thesis investigates the physical relationship between local dwellings and urban farming in Yuhuazhai village in Xi’an, China. Several theories have been engaged in this research. They are ‘Continuous Productive Urban Landscapes’ by Architects Bohn and Viljoen, ‘Edge of a City’ by Steven Holl, ‘Anti–object’ by Kengo Kuma. Work from each theory has been used to explain the theoretical part of this design. More projects related to specific food production are also discussed. This thesis explores possibilities to address issues associated with Chinese urban villages, specifically the relationships between farming and living, empty and solid spaces, and the means of linking people with food and environment. Finally, it proposes a potential solution by introducing food production and transforming old urban villages into new farming communities that would benefit cities.