Abstract
The article explores relationships among urban form, human activities and socio-economic-cultural features in Danwei compound. With Jingmian compound, a typical Danwei compound in Beijing, as a case study, the researcher studies urban form in open spaces from a socio-economic-cultural perspective. In addition, residents’ activities are discussed. The research shows that open space form reflects features and transitions of Chinese society from sociological and economic perspectives. This article also proves the validity of thorough micro space form investigation.
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Notes
No current data reflect the immigrant population. Hukou (family book) does not record the population of residents.
Social condenser is a new type of dormitory that was considered to strengthen Bolshevik fortress in 1930 Soviet Union. They use enclosure to produce close and complete spaces and design facilities of residence, daily life and welfare in a same compound (see Bray (2005), Social Space and Governance in Urban China: The Danwei System from Origins to Reform).
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Acknowledgements
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor, Yanwei Chai, for all his advice from the beginning of this project. I would also like to thank Hanliang Lin of National Cheng Kung University, Jeremy Whitehand of the University of Birmingham and Bill Hillier of University College London, who offered valuable comments over E-mail. I am extremely grateful for two PhD candidates, Zuopeng Xiao and Tianbao Liu, who helped me with the research design and fieldwork. I am also grateful my classmate, Svenja Timmins, who helped me to revised my article. In addition, I am very grateful for all the interviewees and residents of Jingmian compound. Finally, the financial support from Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Peking University is greatly appreciated.
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Peiling, Z. A socio-economic-cultural exploration on open space form and everyday activities in Danwei: A case study of Jingmian compound, Beijing. Urban Des Int 19, 22–37 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2013.10
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/udi.2013.10