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Square Dancing in the Streets, Xuanhua, China

Tong, Chen
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366332902

Abstract Details

2013, Master of Landscape Architecture, Ohio State University, Architecture.
As China is moving towards an aging society and being reshaped through a process of rapid urbanization, the lack of appropriate urban public space and the increasing population density in urban areas is threatening the daily life activities of the nation`s aging people. This thesis examines the phenomenon of Square Dancing practiced largely by the elderly, which has emerged over the past 5 to 10 years in China. On one hand, the fast urbanization process does speed up the economic growth to a certain degree (according to the Chinese economic development data, the real estate industry alone can increase the GNP by 1.5-2% which means the GNP can go up by 1% if the residential development goes up by 10%); on other hand, this over emphasis on rapid economic development unfortunately contributes to the misappropriation and degradation of appropriate urban public space. Due to excessive emphasis on building urban infrastructures for the sake of industrialization, more and more Chinese cities are experiencing similar problems with regard to lack of appropriate urban public space which are supposed to accommodate various local urban life activities. The thesis firstly investigates the correlation between the transition of Chinese economic forms and its urbanization process and unfolds square dancing as one iii cultural phenomenon that emerged during the Cultural Revolution stage. By analyzing the social and cultural backgrounds of Square dancing and its unique spatial and temporal characteristics, this thesis uncovers the reasons behind its popularity and emphasizes the importance of creating appropriate urban public space for daily life activities. Taking the city of Xuanhua as a study example, the thesis uncovers the spatial requirements of an ideal dancing space and explores the potential of temporarily appropriating street spaces for Square dancing during different times of the day. Finally, it discusses the possibility of creating multifunctional/flexible urban streets accommodating urban life activities in ultra-dense urban centers.
Jacob Boswell (Committee Chair)
Jason Kentner (Committee Member)
61 p.
Landscape Architecture; Urban Planning
square dancing; elderly; urban public space; dense city; flexibility; China; found space; loose space

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Tong, C. (2013). Square Dancing in the Streets, Xuanhua, China [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366332902

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Tong, Chen. Square Dancing in the Streets, Xuanhua, China. 2013. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366332902.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Tong, Chen. "Square Dancing in the Streets, Xuanhua, China." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1366332902

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1366332902
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© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.