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Abstract
This paper discusses how the improvement of the quality of collective and public spaces can positively affect the wellbeing of the citizens and the welfare of the city, using as a demonstration site Cao Yang New Village, one of the first planned urban development for workers in Shanghai, China, designed and built during the Fifties of the past century, just few years later Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, on October 1, 1949.
The paper shows how, by careful design interventions, the enhancement of the connectivity and of the porosity in the neighbourhood gives rise to an easier accessibility for citizens, especially for children, mothers, elderly, and people with disabilities, allowing them to get to schools, parks, sport facilities, public offices and other collective spaces, therefore improving their wellbeing.
By detailed and careful design, appropriate urban policies in Chinese cities can help to respond to the citizens increasing demand for public space. Our work suggests that a similar approach should be included in many cities agenda in China, to align to the China’s New Urbanization Plan 2014–2020 that focuses on sustainable growth, improved people’s living conditions and a clearer cultural identity.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Maria Chiara Tosi
MARIA CHIARA TOSI Maria Chiara Tosi, teaches Urban Design in the University IUAV of Venice. Visiting Researcher at UC Berkeley (1995), PhD in Urbanism at La Sapienza-Rome (1996), Associate Professor at IUAV University of Venice (since 2006) where she is also member of the faculty board of the PhD in Urbanism. She is Vice President of VEGA Venice Gateway for Science and Technology (Since 2015), and in 2016 she has been selected as expert for the Research Foundation Flanders FWO. Her recent books include: Welfare Spaces. On the Role of Welfare State Policies in the Construction of the Contemporary City (2014), and Toward an Atlas of European Delta Landscape (2014).
Margherita E. Turvani
MARGHERITA E. TURVANI Margherita Emma Turvani, teaches Political Economy in the University IUAV of Venice and in Venice International University. She has an outstanding record of study and research in the field of Sustainable Development and Economics, Regional and Urban Economics, and she has a vast experience in multidisciplinary investigation and collaboration in research with academicians and experts in various fields, bridging Political economy with environmental science, information technologies, physical planning and policies and urban studies as well.
Stefano Munarin
STEFANO MUNARIN Stefano Munarin, teaches Urbanism and Urban Design in the University IUAV of Venice. Visiting Researcher at UC Berkeley (1995), PhD in Urbanism at University IUAV of Venice (1996), Researcher at University of Catania (2004–2010), Associate Professor at IUAV University of Venice (since 2010) where he is also member of the faculty board of the PhD in Urbanism. He is on the Board of Italian Urban Planner Society and Mandatory of the Rector at IUAV for the sport activities. His recent books include: Welfare Spaces. On the Role of Welfare State Policies in the Construction of the Contemporary City (2014), and Italia 1945–2045. Urbanistica prima e dopo (2016).