Between State and Family: Discussion on the Segregation and Integration of the Daily Living Space within Shanghai Historic Lane Neighborhood

Abstract

Based on the phenomenon of social segregation that commonly appears in contemporary cities, the article points out the peculiar problem of adjacent segregation that currently occurs in the historic lane neighborhood of Shanghai. By discussing the dialectical relation between adjacent segregation and mixed habitation, it indicates physical proximity does not necessarily result in social mix. After that, by taking the lane neighborhood in Hongkou creek area as the research object, the article streamlines its historical transition. Meanwhile, through the measurements of community cognitive domain and daily spatial utilization pattern, the article explores residents’ perception of ‘three discrepant worlds’ of Hongkou creek area. Then, by confirming the social value of daily living space, the article summarizes the organization mechanism on account of community cohesion from the perspective of the state and the family. Finally, it concludes that the maintenance of daily living space on the material level and the support of community empowerment on the social level are a viable solution for the historic lane neighborhood to redress the adjacent segregation and unify public space against the context of rapid urbanization.

Keywords:

• adjacent segregation
• mixed habitation
• large-scale heterogeneity
• small-scale homogeneity
• social mix
• community cognitive domain

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. All figures and tables are illustrated by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Xiang Zhou

XIANG ZHOU IS A SENIOR LECTURER OF URBAN STUDIES AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AT THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AT SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY IN NANJING OF CHINA. HIS RESEARCH INTERESTS ARE URBAN REGENERATION, DIGITALIZATION OF HISTORIC URBAN LANDSCAPE, URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITY SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND TERRITORIAL CULTURAL LANDSCAPE STUDIES. [email protected]

Yuning Cheng

YUNING CHENG IS A PROFESSOR AND THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AT THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AT SOUTHEAST UNIVERSITY IN NANJING OF CHINA. HE HAS LONG BEEN COMMITTED TO PROMOTING THE DIGITAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE, AND THE TECHNOLOGY OF SPONGE URBAN DESIGN TO A POINT WHERE RATIONALITY AND SENSIBILITY MINGLE, SCIENCE AND ART MERGE. [email protected]