Zhen Lilongs 2010 PDF

The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
MSC Advanced Architecture Studies
Lilong housing, community or commercial?

The Case Study on the Historic Lilong communities of
Shanghai
By
Qian Zhen
Supervised by
Dr Ruth Conroy Dalton
The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies
A Thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the degree of Master of Science in

Advanced Architecture Studies
University College London

15 September 2010
Lilong housing, community or commercial? The case study on the historic Lilong community of Shanghai
Declaration:
I, Qian Zhen confirm that the work presented in this thesis is my own. Where
information has been derived from other sources, I confirm that this has been
indicated in the thesis.
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Acknowledgements
There are many people I would like to thank for their significant assistance with
this thesis. First, I am very grateful Dr. Ruth Conroy Dulton, who was my thesis
supercisor, for her efforts in helping inspire me and shape this thesis from its
genesis and her tireless efforts with editing. Secondly, I am grateful Dr. Sam
Griffiths, for his in time remindings and carefully advises on each stages of the
thesis. Finally, I should thank to my family, for their selfless devotion to suppor
me to finish the thesis. Especially thanks to my wife, who carried almost all
family durdens by herself during the period when I had put all my time on the
thesis.
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Abstract
"Li" means neighborhoods, "Long" means lanes (Qian 1996). By this description,
“lilong” is a word which combines above two separated words to describe an
historic urban housing form of Shanghai. In the period of fast growth of Shanghai
settlement from 1840s to 1937, lilong housing comprised the majority of housing
stock in the city centre to meet the huge need of immigrant from all over the
China. Today, this traditional housing still occupies the majority area of central
Shanghai.
Different to the traditional courtyard of Beijing, lilong housing was originally
designed by western architects who borrowed traditional dwelling patterns
prevailing in the southeast China to meet the local social and culture need and
combined western housing plan arrangement to follow the profound
transformation of social changes during that era, such as nuclear family was
becoming popular at that period. Therefore, lilong housing is a unique settlement
form of Shanghai which demonstrates the social and culture changing of the city
and its people.
As a low-rise, interrelated-community pattern, lilong community has many
advantageous characteristics such as effectively spatial organization network,
high degree of safety, diversity of public space usage, strong sense of neighborly
interaction and social cohesiveness, and, probably the maintenance of Chinese

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traditional culture. These key factors make the lilong community a pleasant place
to live and the key characteristic and pattern of Shanghai.
However, by the “open-up policy” which started from 1978 (Tsai 2008), vast
areas urban development in Shanghai threaten the future of lilong communities
even as the government has plans to protect them. This thesis will study and
analyzes some protected and non-protected lilong communities in Shanghai to
explore the spatial property and value of the traditional community pattern and
evaluate the government‟s and developer‟s protection.
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Table of contents
Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………....2
Abstract………………………………………………………………………….……3
Table of contents……………………………………………………………………5
List of tables…………………………………………………………………………7
List of figures……………………………………………………………………......8
Chapter 1: Introduction………………………………………………………..….19
Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………………………………………….22
Chapter 3: Cases and Methodologies……………………………………….....28
1. Historical background of Shanghai‟s Lilong housing and communities
2. Selection and general descriptions of cases
3. Research methodologies
5
Chapter 4: Statistical Findings and Evaluations……………………………..67
1. The snapshots observations
2. Axial and VGA analyses
3. Interview
Chapter 5: Discussions and Conclusion………………………………….….186
References…………………………………………………………………………189
Appendixes 1- interview form………………………………………………......193
Appendixes 2- interview transcripts………………………………………..….198
6
List of tables
Table 1: Table of information background of Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Jingan villa
and Siwenli………………………………………………………………………........63
Table 2: Statistical Sum of Xintiandi…………………………………………….121
Table 3: Statistical Sum of Tianzifang…………………………………………..122
Table 4: Statistical Sum of Jingan villa………………………………………….122
Table 5: Statistical Sum of Siwenli……………………………………………...123
Table 6: Sum of interviews at Tianzifang……………………………………….180
Table 7: Sum of interviews at Jingan villa……………………………………...181
Table 8: Sum of interviews at Siwenli…………………………………………..182
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List of figures
Figure 1: Location map of Shanghai…………………………………………….28
Figure 2: The evolution of Shanghai during the last one century……………..29
Figure 3: Map of foreign concession in 1860‟s…………………………………30
Figure 4: Land use map of Shanghai at 1936…………………………………..32
Figure 5: Typical section and plan of an old Shi-ku-men Lilong house………35
Figure 6: Typical section and plan of a new Shi-ku-men Lilong house………36
Figure 7: Typical section and plan of a new type Lilong house……………….37
Figure 8: Typical patterns of the lilong community……………………………..39
Figure 9: Cover of “Sketches of traditional life in the lilong communities of
Shanghai”……………………………………………………………………………..42
Figure 10: Sketch of children areplaying a game in a lane……………………..42
Figure 11: Sketch of neighbors‟ life, cooking and having dinner together1.......43
Figure 12: Sketch of neighbors‟ life, cooking and having dinner together2…...43
Figure 13: Sketch of greengrocer and cobbler in the lilong community1……...44
Figure 14: Sketch of greengrocer and cobbler in the lilong community2……...44
Figure 15: Sketch of washing and emptying chamberpot in the lane1………...45
Figure 16: Sketch of washing and emptying chamberpot in the lane2………...45
Figure 17: Satellite photo of Xintiandi………………………………………….….47
Figure 18: North entrance of Xintiandi………………………………………….…47
Figure 19: Master plan of Taipingqiao………………………………………..…...48
Figure 20: The master plan of Xintiandi……………………………………..……48

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Figure 21: Satellite photo of Tianzifang……………………………………...……49
Figure 22: Photo of a lane in Tianzifang…………………………………………..49
Figure 23: Local residents still hanging clothes above commercial lanes….....50
Figure 24: Satellite photo of Shanghai with highlighted A20 highway………....52
Figure 25: Segment analyses of whole Shanghai node count n value………..52
Figure 26: Segment analyses of whole Shanghai total depth n value………....53
Figure 27: Superimposition of Node count result and Shanghai map at 1936
………………………………………………………………………………………….53
Figure 28: Superimposition of total depth result and Shanghai map at 1936
…………………………………………………………………………………….……54
Figure 29: Location of four lilong communities……………………………….….55
Figure 30: Transportation map of centre Shanghai………………………….…..56
Figure 31: Satellite photo of Jingan villa………………………………………….57
Figure 32: Main lane of Jingan villa…………………………………………….…58
Figure 33: A bar in Jingan villa……………………………………………….…….59
Figure 34: A workshop in Jingan villa……………………………………………..59
Figure 35: Satellite photo of Siwenli………………………………………………60
Figure 36: South entrance of Siwenli………………………………………..……61
Figure 37: Poor condition of houses in Siwenli…………………………………..61
Figure 38: A greengrocer is selling vegetables in Siwenli…………………...….62
Figure 39: Children are playing a game in a lane in Siwenli……………………62
Figure 40: Land use map of Xintiandi……………………………………….…….69
Figure 41: Snapshots map of one weekday early morning at Xintiandi….....…70

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Figure 42: Snapshots map of one weekday morning at Xintiandi……………...71
Figure 43: Snapshots map of one weekday lunch time at Xintiandi…………...72
Figure 44: Snapshots map of one weekday afternoon at Xintiandi…………….73
Figure 45: Snapshots map of one weekday dinner time at Xintiandi…………..74
Figure 46: Snapshots map of one weekday evening at Xintiandi………………75
Figure 47: Snapshots map of one weekend early morning at Xintiandi…...…..76
Figure 48: Snapshots map of one weekend morning at Xintiandi…………..….77
Figure 49: Snapshots map of one weekend lunch time at Xintiandi…………...78
Figure 50: Snapshots map of one weekend afternoon at Xintiandi…………....79
Figure 51: Snapshots map of one weekend dinner time at Xintiandi…………..80
Figure 52: Snapshots map of one weekend evening at Xintiandi……………...81
Figure 53: Land use map of Tianzifang………………………………………...…82
Figure 54: Snapshots map of one weekday early morning at Tianzifang…..…83
Figure 55: Snapshots map of one weekday morning at Tianzifang……………84
Figure 56: Snapshots map of one weekday lunch time at Tianzifang…….……85
Figure 57: Snapshots map of one weekday afternoon at Tianzifang……….….86
Figure 58: Snapshots map of one weekday dinner time at Tianzifang……...…87
Figure 59: Snapshots map of one weekday evening at Tianzifang……….……88
Figure 60: Snapshots map of one weekend early morning at Tianzifang…..…89
Figure 61: Snapshots map of one weekend morning at Tianzifang………...….90
Figure 62: Snapshots map of one weekend lunch time at Tianzifang…………91
Figure 63: Snapshots map of one weekend afternoon at Tianzifang……….....92
Figure 64: Snapshots map of one weekend dinner time at Tianzifang……...…93

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Figure 65: Snapshots map of one weekend evening at Tianzifang……………94
Figure 66: Land use map of Jingan villa………………………………………….95
Figure 67: Snapshots map of weekday early morning at Jingan villa……….…96
Figure 68: Snapshots map of weekday morning at Jingan villa………………..97
Figure 69: Snapshots map of weekday lunch time at Jingan villa……………...98
Figure 70: Snapshots map of weekday afternoon at Jingan villa………………99
Figure 71: Snapshots map of weekday dinner time at Jingan villa…………...100
Figure 72: Snapshots map of weekday evening at Jingan villa……………….101
Figure 73: Snapshots map of weekend early morning at Jingan villa……..…102
Figure 74: Snapshots map of weekend morning at Jingan villa………………103
Figure 75: Snapshots map of weekend lunch time at Jingan villa……………104
Figure 76: Snapshots map of weekend afternoon at Jingan villa…………..…105
Figure 77: Snapshots map of weekend dinner time at Jingan villa…………...106
Figure 78: Snapshots map of weekend evening at Jingan villa……………....107
Figure 79: Land use map of Siwenli………………………………………….….108
Figure 80: Snapshots map of weekday early morning at Siwenli…………..…109
Figure 81: Snapshots map of weekday morning at Siwenli…………………...110
Figure 82: Snapshots map of weekday lunch time at Siwenli…………………111
Figure 83: Snapshots map of weekday afternoon at Siwenli……………….…112
Figure 84: Snapshots map of weekday dinner time at Siwenli………………..113
Figure 85: Snapshots map of weekday evening at Siwenli……………………114
Figure 86: Snapshots map of weekend early morning at Siwenli…………..…115
Figure 87: Snapshots map of weekend morning at Siwenli…………………...116

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Figure 88: Snapshots map of weekend lunch time at Siwenli…………………117
Figure 89: Snapshots map of weekend afternoon at Siwenli……………...…..118
Figure 90: Snapshots map of weekend dinner time at Siwenli……………..…119
Figure 91: Snapshots map of weekend evening at Siwenli……………………120
Figure 92: Line graph of the tourist of the four communities…………………..124
Figure 93: Line graph of the adult residents of the four communities…….….125
Figure 94: Line graph of the elderly of the four communities……………..…..126
Figure 95: Line graph of the children of the four communities………………..126
Figure 96: Line graph of the workers/peddlers of the four communities……..128
Figure 97: A peddler is selling watermelons in a lane at Siwenli………….…..129
Figure 98: Protected old lilong buildings and lanes of Xintiandi……………....130
Figure 99: Distinguish the visitors‟ flowrate between the old lanes of Xintiandi
………………………………………………………………………………………..131
Figure 100: Only a few visitors in the old lanes at Xintiandi during the
evening…………………………………………………………………………..…..132
Figure 101: A waiter is having his lunch in a lane at Xintiandi…………..…132
Figure 102: Distribution maps of group and seating residents at Siwenli at a
weekday dinner time and a weekend early morning…………………………….132
Figure 103: Three elderly residents are seating at a junction talking and
looking inside the lane at Siwenli………………………………………………….133
Figure 104: A family seating very close to a junction talking and looking
around at Siwenli……………………………………………………………………133
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Figure 105: Distribution maps of group activities at Siwenli at a weekday
afternoon…………………………………………………………………………….134
Figure 106: A group of residents are playing poker at point 1at Siwenli….134
Figure 107: A group of residents are playing mah-jongg during the evening at
point 2 at Siwenli………………………………………………………………..…..134
Figure 108: Residents of a family are having their dinner at point 3 at Siwenli
………………………………………………………………………………….….…135
Figure 109: Children are playing a game at point 4 at Siwenli……….……135
Figure 110: Distribution maps of group and seating residents at Jingan villa
at a weekday afternoon and a weekend morning………………………………..135
Figure 111: Residents are talking at a junction of the main lane and a branch
at Jingan vialla………………………………………………………………………136
Figure 112: Residents are seating at a junction at Jingan villa…………….136
Figure 113: Distribution maps of group and seating residents at Tianzifang at
weekend………………………………………………………………………..……137
Figure 114: A Resident is hanging clothes at a junction in the early morning
at Tianzifang……………………………………………………………………..….138
Figure 115: The elderly residents are seating at a junction in the afternoon at
Tianzifang……………………………………………………………………………138
Figure 116: Satellite photograph of Siwenli (highlighted with red line) within
an 800mX800m square………………………………………………………….…140
Figure 117: Make boundary lines of buildings and communities in the square
……………………………………………………………………………………..…140
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Figure 118: Graph of visual integration value on the global level of Siwenli
……………………………………………………………………………………..…140
Figure 119: Scatter plot graph of Visual integration n value Vs connectivity
value……………………………………………………………………………..…..141
Figure 120: Visual integration global value of Siwenli………………….…..142
Figure 121: Accessibility local value of Siwenli…………………..…….……142
Figure 122: Examples of distribution maps of group activities at Siwenli…142
Figure 123: Visual control value of Siwenli…………………………………..143
Figure 124: Examples of distribution maps of seating residents at Siwenli
……………………………………………………………………………………..…143
Figure 125: Satellite photograph of Jingan villa (highlighted with red line)
within a 1000mX1000m square………………………………………….…..……145
……………………………………………………………………………………..…145
Figure 127: Graph of visual integration value on the global level………….146
value……………………………………………………………………………….…146
Figure 129: A glass window of a shop at Jingan villa……………………….148
Figure 130: A bar opened doors during the night at Jingan villa…………..148
Figure 131: Visual integration global value before „open doors‟……….….148
Figure 132: Visual integration global value after „open doors‟……….…….149
value before „open doors‟………………………………………………………..…149

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value after „open doors‟………………………………………………………….…150
Figure 135: Accessibility local value before „open doors‟…………………..151
Figure 136: Accessibility local value after „open doors‟…………………….151
Figure 137: Visual control value before „open doors‟……………………….152
Figure 138: Visual control value after „open doors‟…………………………153
Figure 139: Scatter plot graph of Visual integration global value Vs visual
control value before „open doors‟………………………………………………….153
control value after „open doors‟……………………………………………………154
Figure 141: Satellite photograph of Tianzifang (highlighted with red line)
within a 1000mX1000m square……………………………………………………155
…………………………………………………………………………………..……155
Figure 143: Visibility graph of visual integration value on the global level
……………………………………………………………………………………..…156
value………………………………………………………………………………….156
Figure 145: A traditional door of a unit at Tianzifang……………………..…157
Figure 146: A glass door of a shop at Tianzifang……………………….…..157
Figure 147: Axial graph of integration value on the global level before „open
doors‟……………………………………………………………………………...…158
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Figure 148: Axial graph of integration value on the global level after „open
doors‟…………………………………………………………………………….…..158
Figure 149: Axial graph of integration value on the global level of Tianzifang
before „open doors‟…………………………………………………………………159
after „open doors‟………………………………………………………………..….160
Figure 151: Scatter plot graph of axial integration global value Vs
connectivity value before „open doors‟……………………………………………160
Figure 152: Scatter plot graph of axial integration global value Vs
connectivity value after „open doors‟…………………………………………...…161
Figure 153: Visual integration global value before „open doors‟…………..162
Figure 154: Visual integration global value before „open doors‟…………..162
Figure 155: Accessibility local value before „open doors‟………….……….163
Figure 156: Accessibility local value after „open doors‟………………….…163
Figure 157: Visual control before „open doors‟……………………….……..164
Figure 158: Visual control after „open doors‟………………………………...164
control value before „open doors‟……………………………………………….…165
control value after „open doors‟……………………………………………………165
Figure 161: Satellite photograph of Xintiandi (highlighted with red line) within
a 1000mX1000m square…………………………………………………….…..…167
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………………………………………………………………………………………..167
Figure 163: Visibility graph of visual integration value on the global level with
the model of Xintiandi after the redevelopment……………………………….....168
Figure 164: Scatter plot graph of Visual integration global value Vs
connectivity value after the redevelopment………………………………………168
Figure 165: Visibility graph of visual integration value on the global level with
the model of Xintiandi before the redevelopment………………………………..169
connectivity value before the redevelopment………………………………….…169
Figure 167: Visual integration global value of the old layout of Xintiandi
before the redevelopment………………………………………………………….170
connectivity value of the old layout of Xintiandi before the redevelopment…...171
Figure 169: Visual integration global value of the existing layout of Xintiandi
out of the business hours…………………………………………………….….…171
connectivity value of the existing layout of Xintiandi out of the business hours
………………………………………………………………………………….….…172
during the business hours………………………………………………………….172
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connectivity value of the existing layout of Xintiandi during the business hours
………………………………………………………………………………………..173
Figure 173: Compare the graph of local accessibility value before the
redevelopment during the business hours with the graph of local accessibility
value after the redevelopment………………………………………………….….174
Figure 174: Compare the graph of visual control value before the
redevelopment during the business hours with the graph of visual control value
after the redevelopment…………………………………………………………....175
control value after the redevelopment during the business hours…………..…175
control value before the redevelopment……………………………………….…176
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Chapter 1: Introduction
The motivation of the thesis is the anxious situation of traditional housing and
community and residents‟ welfare who living inside it. Lilong housing and
community was the most popular form of Shanghai from 1840‟s to 1990‟s. Today,
lilong communities still occupy the largest area of central Shanghai. Many
residents and experts consider lilong community as a safe, convenient place
where has a strong sense of family among neighbors (Qian 1996). Lilong
community „has many advantageous features: hierarchical spatial organization
network, separation of public and private zones, high degree of safety control,
strong sense of neighborly interaction and social cohesiveness, and so on (Qian
1996).‟
However, with the “open-up policy” which founded by the former leader Xiaoping
Deng and started in 1978, the rapid growth in the Chinese economy in recent
years has caused vast area of deconstruction of the lilong community in favor of
modern buildings. During the period of “modernism” or “urbanization”, from 1990
to 2003, more than 38 million square meters of lilong housing have been
destroyed (Feng 2005, 121). Most of these residents have been relocated to
newly built high-rise structures which are far away from central Shanghai. Today,
lilong communities have been divided up to separate pieces of “urban villages”
by thousands of skyscrapers. The city is losing its own character.
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The government is aware that the city is in danger of losing the societal benefits
which have been provided by lilong communities and that is casts a shadow on
creating a harmonious and prosperous society in China. They are now more
cautious about destroying lilong communities and welcome investment from
developers who have on interest in lilong communities. By 2009, there were 12
areas of “historic and culture environment”: 2,800 historic buildings and 32
historic communities have been protected (Shi 2009). They also regenerated
“successful” examples such as Xintiandi and Tianzifang which were lilong
communities which were developed into commercial areas a few years ago.
Today, these two communities are some of the most popular destinations of
tourists and local visitors.
However, many residents and experts question the result and motivation of
these examples and their developers. Most of them consider Xintiandi to be only
the “surface preservation” of lilong buildings. And not all customers can afford to
eat or shop in Tianzifang today (Tsai 2008). In this case, there are some
questions are vital: Do Xintiandi and Tianzifang successfully protected lilong
communities? Do they really protect the local culture as the government and the
developers claimed? If not. What is the right way to protect lilong communities?
What are the quintessential spatial properties of lilong communities? How do
lilong communities maintain the way of life and culture of their residents?
In order to answer these questions, after a review of background and literature,
the thesis will provide a general historical background information of lilong

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communities. After that, four famous lilong communities in the inner city of
Shanghai will be selected carefully and analysed and presented. Moreover,
these four communities must have different level of development:
non-developed, barely-developed, semi-developed and fully-developed. By this
method, different levels of impact from development and the differences
between non-developed and developed communities might be explored. The
research methods will be illustrated in chapter three.
In chapter four, statistical findings of analyses and observations will be
presented. This will include axial and VGA analyses in Depthmap (Turner 2008)
different scales, observation and snapshots of people and interviews with local
residents. These space syntax research methods will be implemented for each
selected community. Meanwhile, these findings will be evaluated in this chapter.
Chapter five will discuss and conclude with results of the four cases studies.
Based on the discussions and conclusion, answers to the key questions of this
thesis will be proposed. Furthermore, preservation guidelines for lilong
communities will be suggested at the end of the chapter.
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Chapter 2: Literature Review
When Dovey presents his concepts of „place‟ in his book “Framing Places”, he
starts with follow sentence:
„The concept of „place‟ is aligned with a group of terms, such as „identity‟,
„community‟, „character‟, and „home‟, that the perform key roles in our
everyday lives yet are tantalizingly difficult to define (Dovey 1999, 45).‟
This shows that all these terms are strong related when we talk about space –
time phenomena, study how people living and moving inside one space. These
words all play a crucial role for the thesis. Therefore, this chapter will focus on
the meanings and functions and importance of these terms, so that this chapter
can form a solid theoretical base of theory for the following chapters.
The concept of the word “dwelling” or “settlement” perhaps is the simplest word
on the world. However, it is probably one of the most important words to each
people. Norberg-Schulz suggests it always means something more than having
a roof over our head and a certain number of square meters at our disposal
(Norberg-Schulz 1985, 7). He argues that the word means to meet others for the
exchange of products, ideas and feelings. Furthermore, it also means to come to
an agreement with others. Finally, it means that one person can own a small
self-governed world distinct from the outside world. From these definitions, the
dwelling does not just mean a collective of public and private spaces, but also
comprises the spaces that people create to arrange their lives. Hanson also has
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some similar views. She says in the book „Decoding homes and houses‟:
„The important thing about a house is not that it is a list of activities or
rooms but that it is a pattern of space, governed by intricate conventions
about what spaces there are, how they are connected together and
sequenced, which activities go together and which are separated out,
how the interior is decorated, and even what kinds of household objects
should be displayed in the different parts of the home (Hanson 1998, 2)‟.
These points of view show that the meaning of houses and homes are far more
complex and important than we might think, despite the fact that they are the
basic unit of cities and society and serve the basic needs of human life.
Moreover, these ideas also reveal that a house plays a central part of an
individual‟s or a family‟s life and their wider social life. Bachelard says: „if I were
asked to name the chief benefit of the house, I should say: the house shelters
day – dreaming, the house protects the dreamer, the house allows one to dream
in peace (Bachelard 1969, 6).‟ This means that a house is a place to escape
from the reality and a safe place, like a harbor to avoid dangers of the outside
world so that we can keep safe and maintain our dream. A similar perspective is
described by Rybczynski, „Domesticity has to do with family, intimacy, and
devotion to the home, as well as with a sense of the house as embodying – not
only harboring – these sentiments (Rybczynski 1986, 75).‟ Furthermore, in
refering to the pair, man and the natural environment, houses also imply the
establishment of a meaningful relationship between man and a given

23
environment (Norberg-Schulz 1985, 13). As it is mentioned above, a house
always plays a significance role in a person‟s life whether he/she is inside or
outside the house.
To sum up the term of „home‟ (or house), Dovey suggests that the experience of
home, constructs an inside/outside dialectic where a private spatial enclosure is
protected from the public gaze. And the house as a spatial base inevitably
mediates, constructs and reflects one‟s social identity in a community. Moreover,
„it is a place of safety in a world of danger; a place where a certain
take-for-granted order prevails within a context of chaotic differences (Dovey
1999, 158).‟ Dovey‟s words also imply that a home also acts as a container
which maintains one‟s personality by keeping his or her house‟s safety.
Meanwhile, segregates the person from global space of community.
To the term „community‟, Wright suggests that a community is a general word,
capable of embracing both communal living (the sharing of living space,
possessions and style of life) and a group of individuals who choose to
cooperate for a specific purpose at a specific time (Wright 2000, 141). Just as
one house is in the centre of one person‟s life, a community is also important to a
group of people who living locally. „Personal responsibility, consensus and local
currencies are the cornerstones of community. One of the central issues of
human existence is the relationship between the individual and the group, and
they offer ways of looking at the creative imbalance between the self and the
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other that provides the potential for a win – win outcome for both (Wright 2000,
141).‟ Wright also points out some key elements which a community can provide
to local residents like freedom, equality, democracy and love. These key
elements are also agreed with Phillips in her research of community which can
„engender feelings of familiarity, security and support. These give access to
amenities, facilitate religious and cultural observance and, importantly, enhance
a sense of belonging (Phillips, Davis and Ratcliffe 2006).‟
To the terms of culture, or „identity‟ and „character‟, both housing and
communities play significance role in a town or a city. Hillier and Hanson argue
that „human societies are spatial phenomena (Hillier and Hanson 1984, 26).‟
People occupy space on the earth‟s surface. And they move in these spaces.
However, a society more than simply exists in space. First, space arranges
people in it. Second, space also arranges itself by means of buildings,
boundaries, paths, marks, zones, and so on (Hillier and Hanson 1984, 27). This
means that a society acquires a definite recognizable spatial order and meaning.
Another similar idea comes from Lefebvre (Lefebvre 1991) who suggests that
social space is a kind of special human product among other products which
contain properties among work-product, nature-culture, realm-symbols. He
argues spatial practice is that „which embraces production and reproduction, and
the particular locations and spatial sets characteristic of each social formation
(Lefebvre 1991,33).‟ These arguments give a clear conclusion that society-space
is strongly related to „culture‟ or the terms of „identity‟ and „character‟.

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When we look back to housing and community, it is not difficult to find that there
are strong relationships between culture and them. Lefebvre says that a dwelling
„embodies and implies particular social relations; it shelters a family – a particular
family belonging to a particular country, a particular region, a particular soil; and
it is a component part of a particular site and a countryside (Lefebvre 1991, 83).‟
From this point of view, „the house not only embodies personal meanings but
also expresses and maintains the ideology of prevailing social orders. And the
strong relation between culture and housing also implies that housing usually
communicates identity (Duncan 1981, 1).‟ These ideas show that a house is not
just a space of shelter, but also a container to maintain our way of life.
On the level of community, Neal (Neal 2003, 2) argues that the form and purpose
of the village (community) provides important precursors to the majority of our
towns and cities. Many of the innate qualities found in villages (communities)
have been retained in perpetuity to provide a type of metropolitan code, or urban
DNA. Werbner (Werbner 2004) presents the „DNA‟ from another angle, she
suggests that to a community, culture is „embodied in ritual, in social exchange
and in performance, conferring agency and empowering different social actors:
religious and secular, men, women and youth.‟ In her paper she studies many
British Asians communities. Werbner found that culture performance and some
culture figures could form and increase the sense and cohesion of a community.
Phillips also has similar discovery when she studies the communities of British
Muslim immigrants. She found that „British Asian families prefer to live in areas
26
where there are at least some other people of South Asian heritage.‟ And in an
interview, one Bangladesh man said that he will go on living in a community as
that community is like his village in Bangladesh. Because living in „the village
atmosphere might be highly valued for the feelings of comfort, security and
belong it can bring (Phillips, Davis and Ratcliffe 2006).‟
From above discussion, it is clear to learn that the housing and the community
both play the crucial role to the individual, the town, even the city. They are the
basic unit of urban space which provides the relevant close space to protect
people‟s safety and privace. Furthermore they are the carrier and container of
culture. Meanwhile, they provide spaces which allow residents demonstrate their
unique cultural performances. So that their culture maybe learned by the next
generation. The most important thing is: these space – time events provide a
sense of feeling or an atmosphere which can give an identity felling us: where
we come from and who we are. Just like Neill says: „Living in a community, the
individual identity is always embodied, having the possibilities for seeing, feeling
and smelling the other, for example, not provided by the internet (Neill 2001, 6).‟
27
Chapter 3: Cases and Methodologies
1. Historical background of Shanghai’s Lilong housing and communities
1.1 General historical background of Shanghai and Lilong housing
In contrast to Beijing, where has been the capital of China for more than seven
hundred years. Shanghai has been the focus of the world‟s only less than two
hundred years. However, the city now is the commercial capital and the largest
city of China. In the past one and a half centuries, Shanghai has experienced
extremely different circumstance and events to other Chinese cities: colonial
occupancy from 1840‟s to 1937, Japanese invasion from 1937 to 1945, socialist
governance after 1949 and “opening-up” and economic reform policy from
1980‟s. Consequently, the city presented and still presents a lot of opportunities,
amalgamations and contradictions which has significant influence to Chinese
history of modern era.
Figure1: Location map of Shanghai (Hammond 2006).

28
Figure 2: The evolution of Shanghai during the last one century (Qian 1996).
The ancient Shanghai was originally founded as a fishing town about 2,000
years ago and became a regionally commercial port around 1200 A.D. The old
city wall was firstly built in a similar fashion to other water-towns located along
the middle coast of China (Ged 1992).
After the Opium War in 1842, an emperor of the Qing dynasty whose name was
Guangxu was forced to open Shanghai as a free treaty port, open to Western
trade and settlement. By the 1850‟s, „Shanghai had managed to stave off piracy
and made slight gains in population and wealth, serving as a port city for the
inland city of Suzhou (Hook 1998, 15).‟ „At this time Shanghai was one of the
world‟s major ports with a volume of shipping comparable to that of London in
the same period (Olds 2001, 23).‟ After that, Shanghai quickly became the
29
second homeland of large populations of foreign immigrations who want to make
their fortune in China, including British, Americans, Russians, French, Japanese,
Dutch, and European Jews and so on. The British were the first who established
their concession in 1842, followed by the French in 1849, and the Americans in
1854 (Pott 1973). By 1863, The British and American concessions merged into a
larger International Settlement. Meanwhile, the French concession remained
independently (Figure 2).
Figure 3: Map of foreign concession in 1860‟s (Hammond 2006).
Before 1853, there were only 500 Chinese residents living inside foreign
concessions. However, after the civil war (Taiping insurrection) took place
during this year, the number of Chinese refugees living in foreign
concessions jumped to 20,000. By the end of 1862, this number had
30
increased dramatically at 500,000 (Luo 2004, 50). Meanwhile, many
Chinese migrated to the concessions to avoid natural disasters, economic
downs, even their own criminal background (Hammond 2006). This large
influx of Chinese refugees brought chaos and increasing rates of crime, but
they were also accompanied by many wealthy Chinese from Chinese society
outside the foreign concessions. These investments helped to stimulated
Shanghai‟s economic boom. Moreover, the large influx of Chinese refugees
into the foreign settlements allowed many Westerners to become rich quickly
by extending their business interests from trade to local real estate
speculation. At that time, land prices increased sharply, there was a
desperate need for a large amount of collective housing to shelter the influx
of Chinese refugees. Meanwhile, rental properties can make 30%-40% profit
for a house‟s landlord (Luo 2004, 50). In this case, Investors in the
concessions found that real estate was a more stable and financially
rewarding enterprise than foreign trade.
„During the uprisings, foreigners sold hastily built housing to the Chinese
refugees fleeing the conflicts engulfing Shanghai. This early housing,
while ramshackle in its initial design and construction, is the forerunner
to the lilong style housing that would later be built throughout large
portions of Shanghai (Zhao 2006).‟
After large investment had came into real estate market, Lilong style housing
soon became the dominant style of dwelling house in Shanghai‟s foreign

31
concessions from 1860‟s. This is also the true beginning of modern real estate in
China. Before 1819, there were only 105 collective housing developments
named by "Li" in the foreign concessions. In 1911, there were 1,118 lilong
communities in the foreign concessions. Fifteen years later, in 1926, this figure
increased dramatically threefold to 3,443. By the end of the suspension of
lilong's development at 1937 due to the invasion of Japanese, there were
already 124.25 million square meters of lilong housing (Luo 2004, 57). Most
lilong communities occupied the largest area of central Shanghai (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Land use map of Shanghai at 1936 (Qian 1996).

32
This land-use distribution map shows that the most parts of housing were
developed in areas between the International concession and the French
concession. These areas are today's city centre. The industry and the retail use
were mainly distributed along the Huangpu River or on the eastern shore of
Huangpu River.
After 1937, when the Anti-Japanese war broke out, many Chinese cities were
destroyed and development of new buildings almost stopped during that period.
To avoid the war, vast influxes of refugees came into the foreign concessions
which pushed the problem of housing shortages to a more serious situation.
Furthermore, most of citizens saw their income fall and, therefore, their ability to
pay rental costs diminished. As a result, many families began to share one
house which led to a serious overcrowding of lilong houses and communities. In
one extreme example, there were 15 families, a total 52 people, living inside a
single house. And one family in which 5 people lived within only 6 square meters
(Feng 2005, 112).
After 1949, the communist government became the only single landlord of all the
lilong housing and then distributed lilong houses to people for very low rental
costs. Though one lilong house was originally designed for one family, each
house later at least housed five or event seven families. The long existing
problem of overcrowding was getting more serious after the 1990‟s when influx
migrant workers from other parts of China came into Shanghai to seek job
33
opportunities as the “open-up” policy re-inspire the city. These migrant works
became the largest group of tenants of the lilong houses. Meanwhile, many local
residents of lilongs moved out whenever they could find a better place
elsewhere.
Today, lilong housing suffers from fabric deterioration, overcrowding, and the
lack of bathrooms in individual buildings and other problems. Housing
improvement, in order to build new high rises to increasing living area has
become an urgent issue in Shanghai. Moreover, the open-up policy of China and
the intention to “building a modern and international Shanghai” has intensified
the process of changing the city landscape of Shanghai. As a result, large areas
of lilong communities have been replaced with modern high-rise apartments and
modern communities. „From 1990 to 2003, around 38 million square meters of
lilong houses had been destroyed (Feng 2005, 121).‟
1.2 Classification of Lilong housing
Although the focus of the thesis is the lilong communities, some basic
information of the lilong housing units can usefully be identified. According to the
circumstances in which the lilong housing were developed, the year of
construction, the type of residents who lived in them, but, the most importantly,
the layouts of the settlement‟s plan, lilongs can be classified into five categories.
34
1).The Old Shi-ku-men Lilong housing.
Shi-ku-men was the basic form of housing among south China including ancient
Shanghai. The market-oriented development of the Old Shi-ku-men Lilong
started in 1880‟s stopped in 1910‟s. Architects inherited most characteristics and
arrangement of the courtyard house in the south China region to meet the need
of traditional families. The type of lilong housing is basically comprises of
attached courtyard houses, were two-stories high, and were built with brick and
wood. Because of their structure‟s weakness, most of old Shi-ku-men Lilongs
have vanished today.
Figure 5: Typical section and plan of an old Shi-ku-men

Lilong house (Qian 1996).
2).The new Shi-ku-men Lilong housing.
The new Shi-ku-men lilong is a modification type of the old Shi-ku-men Lilong
35
and it began to put into market in 1900‟s. The layouts of new Shi-ku-men lilong
houses were modified to adapt to the needs of small-sized, low-income families
due to the more and more refugees came into concessions at that era. Because
these new type houses were built in very high dense and poor quality, the
function and interior standard of houses was not well considered and restricted
by the current technology at that time, like there are no bathroom and
independent kitchen inside each new Shi-ku-men Lilong house. Because this
type of lilong housing are developed for manufacturing workers who made up the
majority of the city‟s population, the new Shi-ku-mens accounted for almost 50%
of the total built areas of all type of lilongs in 1949. Due to their crowded space
and poor conditions, most of them are already be demolished today.
Figure 6: Typical section and plan of a new Shi-ku-men Lilong house (Qian
1996).
36
3).The new type Lilong housing.
The construction of the new-type Lilong housing started at 1915. With the end of
rule Qing dynasty and the end of the First World War, shanghai came into a
golden era of fast development. In this period, advanced building technologies
and new models of lilong houses with improved interior facilities were put into
use to meet the higher need of new middle class. The new type lilong housing
has various layouts of unit plans which provided a wide range of housing
selection. Although the new type houses were still attached to each other,
courtyards and other traditional elements diminished. From 1920‟s to 40‟s, the
new type Lilong housing was built in great quantities in the centre of the city.
Because it‟s superiority structural conditions, most of them managed to survive
until present and estimated to kept in use for decades. Today, the city centre is
still occupied mainly by this type.
Figure 7: Typical section and plan of a new type Lilong house (Qian 1996).
The above is one-and-half room layout, the below is tow-rooms layout.
4).The Garden Lilong housing.

37
Garden Lilong houses are detached or semi-detached luxurious houses in a
lilong pattern. A garden lilong house often occupied large size of land since it has
spacious gardens in the front or at the back to attract the rich vendees and
lessees. With constructed in brick and concrete, most garden houses maintained
good shape and exterior look. Since they catered only for high-income families,
the garden lilong houses developed only in small sum from 1920‟s to 1940‟s.
However, it‟s vivid international styles and structural decorations enriched
architectural forms of the city.
5).The apartment Lilong housing.
Similar to the contemporary apartment buildings, apartment Lilong houses are
normally five to seven storied, concrete structures and homes are connected by
staircases and elevators. Unlike other types of lilong houses in which every
house‟s rooms are spread on different floors, all units of a home are arranged in
one floor. This type of lilong houses were intended for middle income and
small-sized families. And they were developed from the 1920‟s to the 1940,s in
small area too.
1.3 The general pattern of the Lilong community.
"Li" means communities, "Long" means lanes. Simply put, the lilong housing, is a
38
type of lane-and-community based urban dwelling form (Qian 1996). The site of a
lilong community basically has one or two sides bordered by urban commercial
streets, and the rest of boundaries are attached to other communities but
enclosed by walls. Every lilong community has several small scale commercial
units inside it to provide daily goods for local residents. Except the garden and
apartment lilong community, unites of other type of lilong communities are tightly
attached together in lines and housing units are accessible from internal lanes.
Meanwhile, the commercial units are accessible from external commercial streets
(Figure 8).
Figure 8: Typical patterns of the lilong community (Qian 1996).
As illustrated by the figure, the internal structure of lanes is constructed of

39
several main lanes and their branch. Normally there could be one to two main
lanes for an average community. A large on could include three or more main
lanes. These main lanes are directly connected with main entrances and
accessible from external urban streets. These lanes located in the central
positions of a community and form the public space of the site. Furthermore,
these spaces are often used as gathering place for socializing. The branch
connecting to main lanes and paralleling to each other, leads to housing units.
Most gates of units open to branch and the ground floor of a house use as a
public kitchen and a washroom. Moreover, Most of branch is a dead-end lane.
For this reason, branch are always used as living rooms of houses since the high
safety of this space. The framework of main lanes and branch are part of living
space in a lilong community. As one spatial and social entity in its urban setting, a
lilong settlement may vary in size from 0.35 to 5.0 hectares (Qian 1996).
1.4 Significance of lilong communities in the present day.
Different to the traditional Siheyuan (courtyard) housing in Beijing, the
development of lilong housing lasted for about only one century from 1842 to
1949, and mixed with traditional elements of south China and western world.
Moreover, most of these communities were designed by western architects.
Although lilong houses and communities were not real product of western culture
and western people rarely lived in it, majority of lilong houses‟ plan arrangement
and their façade decoration were greatly influenced by the western thinking. This
40
kind of mixed culture architecture is unique and very rare outside Shanghai.
Today, the lilong housing and community has become an important traditional
symbol of Shanghai.
Today, living in the central area of Shanghai is expensive. However, because of
the crowded space and poor building conditions of the lilong community, cost of
living in a lilong community is still lower than living in the modern apartment.
Therefore, most low-income families, include local low-income citizens and
migrant workers, could afford the rental and enjoy the convenient facilities of
living in the centre of Shanghai. In an interview (refer to appendix 2, interview
No.24), a elementary school girl told the author that she and her parents rented a
ten square meters room in Siwenli ( one of the largest lilong community in
contemporary Shanghai) for only 800 RMB per month (equals around 80
pounds), only one third of rental in a modern one. Meanwhile, she can get to her
school only in one minute by walk and her parents can get to their working
destination in five minutes also by walk. Living inside the lilong community not
only can help the parents to save large sum of outcome but also save time for
taking care of their child.
As described in the chapter one, living inside a lilong community has various
advantages. The first one is safe. Due to the unique layout of lanes and
trustworthy neighborhood, lanes space is a large and safe playing yard for
children. There is a very good book named “Sketches of traditional life in the
41
lilong communities of Shanghai” (Xu, Zheng and Weng 2010) which contains
vivid sketches created by three famous local artists of Shanghai: Yibo Xu,
Zuliang Weng and Zuan Zheng. These sketches illustrate the diversity life styles
from the old time to the present day. Some of them could be great examples of
typical life inside the lilong communities which show from figure 10 to 16.
Figure 9: Cover of “Sketches of Figure 10: Sketch of children

traditional life in the lilong areplaying a game in a lane (Xu,
communities of Shanghai” (Xu, Zheng and Weng 2010) 196
Zheng and Weng 2010)
Secondly, as China has came into the era of aged population, there are „more
than three million citizen whose age was over sixty living in Shanghai at 2008.
This figure is two times than the average figure among other Chinese cities
(Zhou 2010).‟ Furthermore, the elderly who living in lilong communities, there are
42
more than 46.1% the elderly willing stay in their communities, 26% elderly want
living with their children (families) in flats (Zhou 2010). This shows the lilong
community is ideally place for these old people due to its property of trustworthy
neighbourhood and strong sense of family among the community. They would
not feel lonely and hard to get neighbor‟s help as others who living in the modern
apartment.
Figure 11&12: Sketch of neighbors‟ life, cooking and having dinner together (Xu,
Zheng and Weng 2010, 65&85).
The last aspect is lifestyle and the culture aspect.
„Commercial and social type of small scale services - groceries,
barber shops, newspaper and cigarettes stands - are integrated into
the site, taking the space adjacent to main lanes or entrance area.
43
Not only do they provide for the daily needs of the residents but also
enrich the community' life (Qian 1996).‟
Figure13&14: Sketch of greengrocer and cobbler in the lilong community (Xu,
Even the crude of living facilities encourages residents‟ socializing. Today, those
daily activities like washing in lanes or emptying chamberpot has been the
symbol picture for lilong life. Though these pictures are hard to say they are
advantages and undoubted need to be improved, these daily activities provide
opportunities for residents‟ communication and eventually form the good
neighbourhood and atmosphere of the community and formed a certain lifestyle
of lilong community which leads to a unique culture part of Shanghai.
44
Figure 15&16: Sketch of washing and emptying chamberpot in the lane (Xu,
2. Selection and general descriptions of cases
Although the first list of significant historic buildings of Shanghai was printed by
the local government, the first of local law which named “Preservation
Regulations of Historic and Cultural Districts and Historic Buildings of Shanghai
City” was not published until early 2003 (Tsai 2008). Form that year on, massive
demolition on lilong communities was decreasingly stopped. Based on the
regulations, the Shanghai government has welcomed a wide range of
investment to and gives new angle of redevelopment of lilong housing. As the
mayor Han Zheng said in 2004: „Development and new construction is one kind
of progress, but preservation and adaptation is also another kind of development
45
(Tsai 2008).‟ This shows the government has began to realize that they must
make balance between development and preservation, and an appropriate
approach will combine them. There are other „successful‟ examples which
publicized by the Shanghai government.
The most famouse example of a redeveloped lilong community is Xintiandi
(Chinese: a new world). Xintiandi is now one of the most famous commercial
destinations in Shanghai which consists of two blocks (Their old name was
Taipingqiao block 109 and 112). It is the product of a lilong adaptive reuse
project which changed the residential function of community to a mixed
commercial use. „The Xintiandi project won the ULI (Urban Land Institute) 2003
Award for Excellence and the 2003 AIA Citation for Heritage. The Urban Land
Institute described Xintiandi as embracing the city‟s past while melding it with the
commercial realities of modern urban living (Tsai 2008).‟
46
Figure 17: Satellite photo of Xintiandi (Create by the author based on Google
map).
Figure 18: North entrance of Xintiandi (Photograph by the author).
The significance of the Xintiandi project is not only the huge functional change
47
and adaptive reuse of lilong houses, but also the close corporation between the
government and the developer. Form the project, the government began to
understanding how this kind of projects worked and its effects – it attracts
thousands of tourists and customers who contributes to the local economy.
However, there are still many blames to question Xintiandi. An American writer
felt disappoint that he did not see any real residents at Xintiandi. He interested in
the crowded houses besides the walls. He said Xintiandi is a „fake Sikumen‟
(Tsai 2008). Moreover, for creating a main commercial lane and plaza inside
community, more than 65% old houses have been destroyed (Figure 19&20).
Figure 19: Master plan of Taipingqiao Figure 20: The master plan of
(The old name of Xintiandi) (Yu Xintiandi (Yu 2002)
2002)
48
Another famous example is Tianzifang which is not far from Xintiandi. Similar to
Xintiandi, Tianzifang is another lilong block in the Luwan district which is still
experiencing redevelopment and has become a popular destination for tourists.
Figure 21: Satellite photo of Tianzifang (Create by the author based on

Google map).
Figure 22: Photo of a lane in Tianzifang (Photograph by the author).

49
Figure 23: Local residents still hanging clothes above commercial

lanes (Photograph by the author).
Different to Xintiandi, the mechanism of the redevelopment of Tianzifang is
different from that in Xintiandi. In Tianzifang, the force to change is bottom-up,
not top-down like the case of Xintiandi (Tsai 2008). The government‟s strategy of
Tianzifang is more like to guide, regulate and support the spontaneous
development from local residents, than simply drive residents out for large area
demolish and rebuild. Due to this strategy, the lane‟s framework and construction
of houses of the community are well protected and remain unchanged.
Furthermore, residents are still living in the community though the most ground
floors of houses are occupied by shops, restaurants and galleries. „The residents
still play mah-jongg (a traditional Chinese table game) and Chinese chess in
alley yards. When foreign visitors came, they even stood close to see the game
(Tsai 2008).‟ Although there are some blames on Tianzifang, such as residents
50
who living in upper floors are suffering with noise and not all visitors can afford to
consume here, many praises were given to Tianzifang. For it „perfectly balances
the culture, residents‟ welfare, profit of residence and the government‟ (Li 2008,
4). „It‟s superior strategy of development should be learn as a model for all new
development of historical communities (Li 2008, 152).‟
For answering the question which asked in chapter one both Xiantiandi and
Tianzifang are certainly objects of the author‟s studies. However, for exploring
the true special property and mechanism of the lilong community, a
non-developed lilong community, perhaps and a „light‟-developed should be
selected and work as two comparable object for Xiantian and Tianzifang in the
thesis. The word „light‟ which suggested here uses to compare the development
imposed on Xiantiandi and Tianzifang if we consider the development force on
Xiantiandi is „heavy‟ and on Tianzifang is „middle‟ (Since more than 90%
Tianzifang‟s ground floors are occupied by commercial units and its‟ internal
structure are changer, refer to figure ) Then, these four communities which can
form a hierarchical basic framework of the study: fully-developed – Xintiandi,
semi-developed – Tianzifang, a barely-developed community and a
non-developed community. In order to the study could provide more accurate
statistical information which would not lead the thesis to a wrong direction, the
rest two communities should locate in the similar unban context like Xiantiandi
and Tianzifang where is. An analysis of overall Shanghai road configuration
should be done in the first.

51
Figure 24: Satellite photo of Shanghai with highlighted A20 highway (Created by
the author based Google photos).
Figure 24 shows an overall Shanghai satellite photo which surrounded by A20
highway in which the most main area are covered by the natural boundary.
Based on this, the following Depthmap streets segment analyses could pursue.
Figure 25: Result of node count n value (source of the original axial map: Space
Syntax Limited, generated with depthmap by author).
52
Figure 26: Result of total depth n value (source of the original axial map: Space
Syntax Limited, generated with depthmap by author).
Figure 27: Superimposition of Node count result and Shanghai map at 1936.
53
Figure 28: Superimposition of total depth result and Shanghai map at 1936.
In figure 25 and 26, both show central of Shanghai (circled area) has the highest
value (highlighted with red) among other areas. If superimpose these results with
the old map of Shanghai with shows in figure 4, both two figures show high
degree match with locations of the old city and the residential area where was
belongs to foreign concessions (Figure 27&28). Today, land use of this area is
still occupied mainly by lilong communities. Furthermore, both Xintiandi and
Tianzifang are located in the area. This means the rest two communities should
be selected within the area so that the four objects could with similar urban
context such as transportation convenience, population density and the building
density.
54
Figure 29: Location of four lilong communities. 1-Xintiandi, 2-Tianzifang,
3-Jingan villa, 4-Siwenli.
Figure 29 shows a zoom-in graph of centre Shanghai based on the node count
global value and superimposed with Google photo. This graph highlighted the
location of Xintiandi (symbol 1) and Tianzifang (symbol 2). Symbol 3 and 4
represent the Jingan villa and Siwenli respectively which selected by the author.
In figure 28, both four communities belong to or just next to the high value area.
Moreover, they are all very close to the main road of centre Shanghai which are
also highlighted by the graph. Both Xintiandi and Siwenli are next to the Naibei
highway. Xintiandi is very close to YanAn road within 500 meters and Siwenli is
close to Beijing road within 600 meters. Meanwhile, Tianzifang is next to
Zhaojiabang road and close to the Nanbei highway not more than 600 meters.
55
Finally, Jingan villa is next to Beijing road and as close to YanAn road as
Xintiandi is. Furthermore, the distance between 3 and 4, 1 and 3, 1and 2, are
similar.
Figure 30: Transportation map of centre Shanghai (Source: Google map).
Figure 30 provide a clearer pattern of streets. Red circles on each community
represent an imaginary circle with a 600 meters radius. According to figure 29,
each community has at least one metro station within the circle. Residents who
live in one these communities could get to a metro station by walking within 10
minutes. According to the above analyses, these four communities share the
similar context of convenience of transportation, people flowrate and street
pattern. However, Xintiandi has the relatively superiority location among others.
56
This is perhaps one of reasons that Xintiandi has been developed early and
consume there is extremely expensive. Before the former study, brief
background of Jingan villa and Siwenli should be present.
Figure 31: Satellite photo of Jingan villa (Create by the author based on Google
map).
Build in 1928, Jingan villa was a good standard of the new type lilong (Qian
1996).
„The lanes are wide - 7.0m for main lane and 5.0m for side lanes,
straight and clearly organized, providing an efficient framework for
internal circulation and emergency transportation. All the units, south
and north double oriented, has a courtyard in the front and a light-well
at the back. Toilets and gas are found in the houses. All houses are
built in three stories - 9.6m in height (Qian 1996).‟
57
It located in the central location of Jingan district where in a most busy
commercial area of Shanghai. It is bordered by two streets - Nanjing road on the
north and Weihai Road on the south and very close to Beijing road. These roads
are very important to the central Shanghai and the district. There is only main
lane, running north-south across the whole neighborhood, connects to
twenty-four side lanes, and connects Nanjing road and Weihai road. For the
reason, the main lane is a shout cut for many outsiders.
Figure 32: Main lane of Jingan villa (Photograph by the author).
The buildings were constructed with fine materials in good quality. Because
Jingan villa‟s good location and quality, many famous people lived inside it. For
the significant of Jingan villa, it has been well-maintained after 1949 untill today.
Though the exterior and pavement were refinished in the early 2010, the
structure still appeared sound, no trace of deterioration. Today, Jingan villa still is
58
a traditional lilong community of residents‟ daily life. However, after the
refurbishment in the early 2010, a few high-end shops, restaurants and bars
appear in the community (Figure 33&34).
Figure 33: A bar in Jingan villa (Photograph by the author).
Figure 34: A workshop in Jingan villa (Photograph by the author).
For the reason of refurbished and high-end commercial activities which are
59
intend to the outsiders, the level of development on the community should be
„barely‟ if compared to Tianzifang and Xintiandi.
Figure 35: Satellite photo of Siwenli (Create by the author based on Google
map).
Siwenli was built in 1919, belongs to the new Shi-ku-men Lilong. Different to
Jingan villa, buildings in Siwenli built in a very high density and harsh quality of
facilities and buildings. Main lanes are only 5 meters wide, branch are even
narrower. Since no any repair activities of building in Siwenli after it have been
built, traces of deterioration and fragmentation everywhere on the all houses
among the community. Today, lanes of Siwenli are still crowded. Residents still
have no bathroom inside their rooms. They need empty their chamberpot at
60
three points where separated at different corners of the community. Moreover,
they still need share a kitchen and washing room with their neighbor just same
as their parents and grandparents did before.
Figure 36: South entrance of Siwenli (Photograph by author).
Figure 37: Poor condition of houses in Siwenli (Photograph by the author).
61
However, the way of life in Siwenli is more tradition than the other three
communities. Peddlers, like greengrocers and cobblers are still can be seen in
lanes, residents are still use to washing, cooking, chatting in lanes, and children
are enjoying to play in lanes, just like sketches show in figures from 10 to 16
(Figure 38&39).
Figure 38: A greengrocer is selling vegetables in Siwenli (Photograph by author).
Figure 39: Children are playing a game in a lane in Siwenli (Photograph by

author).
62
In order to give a brief sum up of the section, a table created for providing a
clearer review of information of these four communities in table one.
Year of Classificati Site area Number of Function Level of

constru- -on /Building families/ developmen
ction area(m 2) population -t
Xintiandi 1922 New 63,252/? 0 commercial fully
shi-ku-men
lilong
Tianzifan 1930 New type 21,989/? 671/ Mix use of semi
-g lilong 1600 residence
and
commercial
Jingan 1928 New type 22,500 183/ 720 residence barely
Villa lilong /38,687
Siwenli 1919 New 33,030/? 2609/ residence non
shi-ku-men around
lilong 10,000
Table 1: Table of information background of Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Jingan villa
and Siwenli.
3. Research methodologies
These cases will be analysesed by various and different ways to examine the
spatial meanings, property and values. Five different space syntax
methodologies are used in the examination: static snapshotss (plus site
observation), axial graph analyses, VGA analyses and individual interviews and
answer questionnaires.
3.1 Although static snapshotss is usually relevant to recording the use pattern of
63
space within buildings. „However, it can also be applied to the observation of
public squares and spaces. The method can be use for recording both stationary
and moving activities (Grajewski and Vaughan 2001).‟ By this method, the
observer can marks down various information with different symbols on a map,
within a particular time period (one hour, for instance) at the site. These
information might include different groups of people (young, aged, male, female
and so on), different activities (moving, standing or seating) and spatial use
pattern of the site. The pattern could distinguish the favorite areas and fewest
areas for people grouping or passing through. Moreover, the sum of each group
of people by counting the same symbols in the map could provide further useful
details of the site, like people flowing or movement density of a particular time.
Before the snapshotss, site observations should be done firstly since site
observations prepare site maps for the snapshotss. Furthermore, observation
could find interesting questions and particular problems of the site which could
be aims of further studies. „We observe in order to see how much we can learn
about the environment without taking account of people‟s intentions (Grajewski
and Vaughan 2001).‟
3.2 An axial graph should composes of the longest and fewest lines which could
be seen as the spatial layouts. As Turner says:
The axial map „is one of the primary tools of space syntax. Its natural
language definition has allowed researchers to draw consistent maps

64
that present a concise description of architectural space; it has been
established that graph measures obtained from the map are useful for
the analyses of pedestrian movement patterns and activities related to
such movement (Turner, Penn and Hillier 2005).‟
By this definition, an axial map could show the values of axial lines. Through the
axial analyses, we can find out the spatial properties of cases such as
connectivity and integration values which could explain the high or low
movement density of a site.
3.3 „The visibility analyses is an intuitively attractive way to investigate the
environment as it seemingly gives one the perspective of the (able-sighted)
occupant. It allows us to make rigorous mathematical statements about systems,
and thus it would appear to allow us to apply mathematical certainty to the
experience of urban and building environments (Turner 2003).‟ By this definition,
we could use visibility graph analyses (VGA) to examine the spatial
(morphological) properties of the built environment, or to illustrate how people
can move or interact within the visible space, or to discover the significance of
objects replaced within that space (Turner 2003).
3.4 Individual interview and questionnaires studies include asking different
groups of people about a case with specific and defined questions. The aim of
this method is to look about how people would think of the different aspects of
the lilong communities based on their experience regard to the culture protection
and residents‟ welfare, such as environmental conditions, safety, community

65
cohesion and lifestyle. Thus, this method could provide extra information which
would not be found out by statistical analyses and site observations. Therefore
give us an in-depth view about the cases.
66
Chapter 4: Statistical Findings and Evaluations
This chapter will present findings from a wide range of methods: snapshots and
site observation, interview of local residents, axial lines and visibility graph
analyses for investigating spatial properties of each case from inside the
community to a larger area outside the community. In section one of the chapter,
the snapshots result maps and land use maps will be showed to illustrate space
use patterns of different people groups and spatial function of buildings of these
four communities. Section two will shows visibility graph and axial line analyses
graphs both of inside the community space and outside-community space.
These computer-based graphs could be used as references and discussed with
the findings of snapshots and observations. So that spatial property such as why
people act in a space in that way could be discussed. Finally, in section three,
interview findings will be used as a support to evaluate the benefit and drawback
of the space of lilong community.
1. The snapshots observations
Six groups of people were recorded by the snapshots observation: tourists and
passengers who are not the residents of the community, adult residents (16 to 60
years old) of the community, aged residents (over 60 years), children of the
community, workers (include shopkeepers, peddlers and so on) and guards.
Moreover, moving and static local adult and aged residents are also illustrated
67
by different symbols to give the further information of the spatial pattern.
Because of the snapshots observation focus on the inside public space of the
lilong community, people on the urban streets which surrounded the community
and people inside unban-street-front shops were not recorded. But people who
were inside shops where inside the community have been recorded. Xintiandi is
different to other cases. Because it is a pure commercial area which surrounded
by commercial units and streets which all belong to Xintiandi, people who were
on the outside-streets but on the Xintidi side should be recorded. Moreover,
people who were on XinYe road which in the middle of Xintiandi and occupied by
guards of Xintiandi should also be recorded. Because of the recording and
marking activities are strictly forbidden, inner spaces of buildings were not
observed. No each map, the sum of each group of a time period are marked and
companied with the symbol.
Each community was recorded at one weekday and one weekend, six periods at
a day: early morning (7:00am to 8:00am), morning (10:00am to 11:00am), lunch
time (12:00am to 1:00pm), afternoon (3:00pm to 4:00pm), dinner time (5:30pm
to 6:30pm), evening (8:30pm to 9:30pm). This strategy could provide a
consecutive and integrated view of apace use pattern and movement. Like the
previous chapter, the maps of Xintiandi will be showed first, followed by
Tianzifang, Jingan villa and Siwenli. For each case, land use map will be showed
first, than snapshots maps of one weekday and one weekend. Finally, more
statistical findings like charts, evaluations will be presented and discussed.

68
1.1 Snapshots result maps.
1) Xintiandi
Figure 40: Land use map of Xintiandi (Created by the author).
69
Figure 41: Snapshots map of one weekday early morning (Created by the
author).
70
Figure 42: Snapshots map of one weekday morning (Created by the author).
71
Figure 43: Snapshots map of one weekday lunch time (Created by the author).
72
Figure 44: Snapshots map of one weekday afternoon (Created by the author).
73
Figure 45: Snapshots map of one weekday dinner time (Created by the author).
74
Figure 46: Snapshots map of one weekday evening (Created by the author).
75
Figure 47: Snapshots map of one weekend early morning (Created by the
author).
76
Figure 48: Snapshots map of one weekend morning (Created by the author).
77
Figure 49: Snapshots map of one weekend lunch time (Created by the author).
78
Figure 50: Snapshots map of one weekend afternoon (Created by the author).
79
Figure 51: Snapshots map of one weekend dinner time (Created by the author).
80
Figure 52: Snapshots map of one weekend evening (Created by the author).
81
2) Tianzifang
Figure 53: Land use map of Tianzifang (Created by the author).
82
Figure 54: Snapshots map of one weekday early morning (Created by the
author).
83
Figure 55: Snapshots map of one weekday morning (Created by the author).
84
Figure 56: Snapshots map of one weekday lunch time (Created by the author).
85
Figure 57: Snapshots map of one weekday afternoon (Created by the author).
86
Figure 58: Snapshots map of one weekday dinner time (Created by the author).
87
Figure 59: Snapshots map of one weekday evening (Created by the author).
88
Figure 60: Snapshots map of one weekend early morning (Created by the
author).
89
Figure 61: Snapshots map of one weekend morning (Created by the author).
90
Figure 62: Snapshots map of one weekend lunch time (Created by the author).
91
Figure 63: Snapshots map of one weekend afternoon (Created by the author).
92
Figure 64: Snapshots map of one weekend dinner time (Created by the author).
93
Figure 65: Snapshots map of one weekend evening (Created by the author).
94
3) Jingan villa
Figure 66: Land use map of Jingan villa (Created by the author).
95
Figure 67: Snapshots map of weekday early morning (Created by the author).
96
Figure 68: Snapshots map of weekday morning (Created by the author).
97
Figure 69: Snapshots map of weekday lunch time (Created by the author).
98
Figure 70: Snapshots map of weekday afternoon (Created by the author).
99
Figure 71: Snapshots map of weekday dinner time (Created by the author).
100
Figure 72: Snapshots map of weekday evening (Created by the author).
101
Figure 73: Snapshots map of weekend early morning (Created by the author).
102
Figure 74: Snapshots map of weekend morning (Created by the author).
103
Figure 75: Snapshots map of weekend lunch time (Created by the author).
104
Figure 76: Snapshots map of weekend afternoon (Created by the author).
105
Figure 77: Snapshots map of weekend dinner time (Created by the author).
106
Figure 78: Snapshots map of weekend evening (Created by the author).
107
4) Siwenli
Figure 79: Land use map of Siwenli (Created by the author).
108
Figure 80: Snapshots map of weekday early morning (Created by the author).
109
Figure 81: Snapshots map of weekday morning (Created by the author).
110
Figure 82: Snapshots map of weekday lunch time (Created by the author).
111
Figure 83: Snapshots map of weekday afternoon (Created by the author).
112
Figure 84: Snapshots map of weekday dinner time (Created by the author).
113
Figure 85: Snapshots map of weekday evening (Created by the author).
114
Figure 86: Snapshots map of weekend early morning (Created by the author).
115
Figure 87: Snapshots map of weekend morning (Created by the author).
116
Figure 88: Snapshots map of weekend lunch time (Created by the author).
117
Figure 89: Snapshots map of weekend afternoon (Created by the author).
118
Figure 90: Snapshots map of weekend dinner time (Created by the author).
119
Figure 91: Snapshots map of weekend evening (Created by the author).
120
1.2 Findings and evaluations of the snapshots and site observations.
1) Statistical findings and evaluations
So far, we have looked at 48 snapshotss maps of four cases. There are some
interesting points are worth to discuss. Let us focus on the figures of different
groups of people first. According to the figure show on each snapshotss map,
following tables can be generated.
Xintiandi Early Mornin Lunch Afterno- Dinner Eveni Group

Morning g Time on Time ng
11 216 488 643 1052 1767 Tourist
21 0 0 0 0 0 Adult resident
0 0 0 0 0 0 Aged
resident
Weekday 0 0 0 0 0 0 Child of
community
12 15 17 19 19 38 Guard
41/0 58/0 76/0 85/0 118/0 128/0 Worker/Peddler
85 289 581 747 1189 1933 Sum
19 360 684 1137 1788 2186 Tourist
0 0 0 0 0 0 Aged
resident
Weekend 0 0 0 0 0 0 Child of
community
19 17 22 24 26 40 Guard
45/0 53/0 84/0 86/0 88/0 105/0 Worker/Peddler
96 430 790 1247 1902 2331 Sum
Table 2: Statistical Sum of Xintiandi.
121
Tianzifan Early Morning Lunch Afterno Dinner Eveni Group

g Morning Time -on Time ng
8 549 749 876 731 401 Tourist
21 10 6 14 12 0 Aged
resident
community
10 6 8 10 6 10 Guard
16/1 207/1 216/1 304/0 327/0 164/0 Worker/Peddler
123 800 1001 1229 1110 595 Sum
26 842 1254 2202 1525 1080 Tourist
26 20 11 12 15 11 Aged
resident
community
10 7 8 11 12 8 Guard
22/2 252/1 303/0 328/0 338/1 289/0 Worker/Peddler
164 1159 1612 2584 1932 1412 Sum
Table 3: Statistical Sum of Tianzifang.

Jingan Early Morning Lunch Afterno- Dinner Evening Group
villa Morning Time on Time
0 0 41 13 28 26 Tourist & Passenger
18 14 8 7 12 3 Aged
resident
community
4 4 4 4 3 3 Guard
6/0 11/0 32/2 43/1 50/0 29/0 Worker/Peddler
101 103 164 138 179 127 Sum
5 11 18 27 20 22 Tourist & Passenger
36 8 1 10 14 9 Aged
resident
community
3 5 2 3 3 2 Guard
8/0 26/0 40/0 44/0 42/0 43/0 Worker/Peddler
124 137 132 160 176 141 Sum
122
Table 4: Statistical Sum of Jingan villa.

Siwenli Early Morning Lunch Afternoon Dinner Evening Group
Morning Time Time
0 0 0 0 0 0 Tourist
163 162 96 223 187 166 Adult resident
80 71 32 62 51 13 Aged
resident
community
1 1 2 1 1 1 Guard
0/10 0/12 0/14 0/18 0/19 0/11 Worker/Peddler
279 282 165 335 279 201 Sum
0 0 0 0 0 0 Tourist
198 192 149 220 247 166 Adult resident
73 52 28 61 31 2 Aged
resident
community
1 1 2 1 2 2 Guard
0/15 0/20 0/16 0/15 0/11 0/7 Worker/Peddler
296 288 215 329 331 193 Sum
Table 5: Statistical Sum of Siwenli.
a) First, let us look at the tourist. The largest figure of the tourist (2,202) was
recorded at Tianzifang in a weekend afternoon. The second largest one was
2,186, recorded at Xintiandi in a weekend evening. Followed by the weekend
dinner time and the weekday evening when figures of tourists reached at 1,788
and 1,767 respectively both at Xintiandi. Although the figure of tourists at
Xintiandi and Tianzifang in the early morning was just around 10, this figure
increased sharply after the morning time and reached a figure near one
thousand at weekday or over one thousand at weekend. In the contrast, the
figure of the tourist at Jingan villa was very low both at weekday and weekend.
123
The highest figure was recorded at a weekday lunch time when only 41 tourists
were in the community. Finally, there were no tourists at Siwenli through the
whole week.
Xintiandi Jingan villa
Tianzifang Siwenli
Weekday Weekend
Figure 92: Line graph of the tourist of the four communities (Created by the
author).
This line graph provides a view about the trend of tourists through six periods of
a day of these four communities. As show in the two graphs, the figure of tourists
at Jingan villa were more steady than that at Xingtiandi and Tianzifang, maintain
very low figure not more than 100. The tourist‟s number increased dramatically
in the morning both at Xintiandi and Tianzifang no matter it was a weekday or a
weekend. The peek time of Tianzifang was recorded in the afternoon both at the
weekday and the weekend. However, the figure of the tourist reached a peak in
the evening at Xintiandi. The explanation of these differences may attribute to
the function of the communities. Xintiandi is a famous pure commercial area

124
where has diversity nightlife. Therefore, it is not difficult to explain why so many
people still favorite the place. In the contrast, it is not strange there were no
tourists at Siwenli which is a pure residential community. So is Jingan villa which
is a barely-developed community. As a semi-developed lilong community,
Tianzifang still has many residents living inside it. There are some regulations to
protect resident‟s welfare like should no noise during the night. There are not as
much bars and restaurants at Tianzifang as at Xintiandi. Because of this, the
figure of tourists began to decrease quickly in the afternoon.
b) Secondly, let us look at the residents of the lilong communities.
Figure 93: Line graph of the adult residents of the four communities (Create by
the author).
125
Figure 94: Line graph of the elderly of the four communities (Created by the
author).
Figure 95: Line graph of the children of the four communities (Created by the
author).
These three line graphs illustrate figures and trends about adult residents, the
elderly and children of the four communities at a weekday (the left) and a
weekend (the right). It is not surprised that Siwenli have the highest figure
among the six graphs which is a pure residential community, and Xintiandi get
the lowest which is a pure commercial one. Only a few residents who are living
outside Xintiandi use its spaces as a shortcut during the morning.

126
Although Tianzifang‟s area is bigger than Jingan villa‟s, residents were harder to
spot in Tianzifang. Figures of the elderly are almost equal in the two
communities. But no children spotted at Tianzifang and not more than five
recorded during each period.
At Siwenli, both the figure of adult residents and the elderly start from a relatively
high point in the early morning, then decrease steadily to the morning and reach
a bottom during the lunch time. However, their figures increase dramatically after
the lunch time and reach a peak in the afternoon. After that, figures decrease
slightly until evening. To answer the question why the line goes in this way, some
background of local residents‟ life is need to be presented. There are diversity
activities during the early morning, like Chinese usually going out to buy fresh
vegetables and breakfast during the early morning, the elderly are used to do
morning exercises in public spaces, and some residents are emptying
chamberpots. After that, during the morning (around 9:00am to 11:00am), figure
decreases because of the adult goes out to work. During the noon, the majority
come back home, so only a few left in the public space. However, during the
afternoon, most residents come back to the lane to do their jobs: adults are
washing or preparing their dinner, the elderly are talking, children are playing
games, and some groups of residents are playing poker or mah-jongg. Then,
they come back to home gradually until the evening. Children usually stay at
home to study, instead to buy food during the early morning. Because of this,
children‟s figures start from a relatively lower level. The rest follows a similar way
127
just like adults‟ and the elderly.
Lines of Jingan villa and Tianzifang all have similar trend of Siwenli. This shows
residents of these three communities have the similar lifestyle. However, no
children spotted at Tianzifang.
c) Finally, let us explore the figure of workers/peddlers and guards.
Weekday Weekend
Figure 96: Line graph of the workers/peddlers of the four communities (Created
by the author).
By the indication of figure 96, the largest number of workers (waiters,
shopkeepers, dustmen and so no) are occupied by Tianzifang. This may regard
to that it has the largest number of shops. The second largest one is Xiantiandi.
128
Followed by Jingan vialla, then Siwenli (Please see figure 40, 53, 66, and 79)
Meanwhile, the largest figure of the guard were recorded at Xintiandi at 40. This
maybe regard to that there are so many entrances are open urban streets and
large visitor following. Furthermore, peddlers are usually refused to come in such
a luxurious place for their inappropriate appearance and goods (figure 97).
Therefore, no peddlers were recorded at Xintiandi. In the same reason, only one
greengrocer was spotted at the west entrance of Tianzifang and there were on
guards at that gate. For Jingan villa is a famous historical lilong community which
has just been refurbished. Peddlers maybe hardly pass through the two gates
which usually occupied by three to five guards. The most interesting thing is:
although there are eight entrances surround Siwenli, only one or two guards
were in the community. Therefore, there were up to 19 peddlers were selling
their goods at Siwenli.
Figure 97: A peddler is selling watermelons in a lane at Siwenli (photograph by

the author).
129
2) Findings and evaluations of space use patterns.
a) Xintiandi.
Figure 98: Protected old lilong buildings and lanes (created by the author).
If compare the existing plan of Xintiandi (figure 20) with the old one (figure 19), a
map like figure 98 could be created which highlighted the protected old lilong
buildings and lanes. According to the snapshots maps, there are large
differences about visitors‟ density between inside the protected old lanes and the
main street through the whole weekday and weekend (figure 99).
130
Early Morning Morning Lunch Time
Afterrnoon Dinner Time Evening
Figure 99: Distinguish the visitors‟ flowrate between the old lanes (highlighted
with red circles) and the main street in Xintiandi (created by the author).
Figure 99 takes six period of a weekend for example to indicate the huge
differences between the old lanes and the main street. Even during the evening,
there were only around ten visitors and workers in lanes (figure 100). In the
contrast, there were thousands of visitors in the main street just next to the lanes.
Therefore, lanes have became the quiet places for workers‟ break (figure 101).
131
Figure 100: Only a few visitors in Figure 101: A waiter is having his
the old lanes at Xintiandi during the lunch in a lane at Xintiandi
evening (photograph by the author). (photograph by the author).
b) Siwenli.
Weekday Dinner Time Weekend Early Morning
Figure 102: Distribution maps of group and seating residents at Siwenli at a

weekday dinner time and a weekend early morning (created by the author).
132
Residents distribute in the public space are more equally than that at Xintiandi as
show in the snapshots maps. However, there are some interesting finding are
worth to be present. As shows by figure 102, take a weekday dinner time and a
weekend early morning for example, junctions of lanes are the favorite places to
seat down or for group activities (highlighted with red circles). Adult residents,
especially the elderly usually seating at or close to the junctions, talking and
watching to the passengers (figure 103&104).
Figure 103: Three elderly residents Figure 104: A family seating very
are seating at a junction talking and close to a junction talking and looking
looking inside the lane (photograph around (photograph by the author).
by the author).
Therefore, lanes of Siwenli are neighbor-watching spaces. This might be the
reason of why people consider the lilong lanes are safe public spaces. This will
be analyzed in the following sections. Moreover, there are some particular
junctions are favorite for residents‟ group activities, such as playing poker or
mah-jongg for adults, children playing games, talking or even having dinner for a
family (figure 106 to 109). Figure 105 shows two examples of the snapshots
133
maps which highlighted these particular points.
Figure 105: Distribution maps of group activities at Siwenli at a weekday

afternoon (the left) and a weekend evening (the right) (created by the author).
Figure 106: A group of residents are Figure 107: A group of residents are
playing poker at point 1(photograph playing mah-jongg during the evening
by the author). at point 2 (photograph by the author).
134
Figure 108: Residents of a family are Figure 109: Children are playing a
having their dinner at point 3 game at point 4 (photograph by the

(photograph by the author). author).
c) Jingan villa.
Figure 110: Distribution maps of group and seating residents at Jingan villa at a
weekday afternoon (the left) and a weekend morning (the right) (created by the
author).
135
As a traditional lilong community, Jingan villa shows the similar space use
pattern than that at Siwenli. Although Jingan villa has been refurbished not long
time ago, the layout of its lanes remained and protected well. Perhaps for this
reason, the residents are usually talking and seating at the junctions, just like the
residents used to do at Siwenli. Therefore, the only main lane are always
watched not only by guards but also by many residents.
Figure 111: Residents are talking at a Figure 112: Residents are seating at
junction of the main lane and a a junction (photograph by the
branch (photograph by the author). author).
d) Tianzifang
As a semi-developed lilong community, over 90% area of the ground floor are
occupied by shops, restaurants and galleries. Although most of restaurants are
still living in the community, the way of their life has changed a lot. No children
were spotted at Tianzifang, for instance. However, at some junctions, some
residents were recorded by the snapshots maps. Most of these residents were
the elderly (figure 115). Moreover, the highest figure of residents was recorded in
136
the early morning.
Weekend Early Morning Weekend Morning
Weekend Lunch Time Weekend Afternoon
Weekend Dinner Time Weekend Evening
Figure 113: Distribution maps of group and seating residents at Tianzifang at
weekend (created by the author).
Take the weekend snapshots maps for example (figure 113). Seating residents
were spotted at six junctions. In the morning and lunch time, group residents
recorded at three junctions, and only one to two were recorded from afternoon to
the evening.
137
Figure 114: A Resident is hanging Figure 115: The elderly residents are
clothes at a junction in the early seating at a junction in the afternoon
morning at Tianzifang (photograph at Tianzifang (photograph by the
by the author). author).
To sum up the section, some important findings are necessarily to be
emphasized and some relatively questions should be asked at the end of the
section which should be answered in the following sections. Firstly, as a
fully-developed lilong community, Xintiandi has very large number of visitors.
However, why there is a huge difference of the visitors‟ density between the old
lanes and the main street? Do the old lanes maintain the some spatial properties
of traditional lilong space which may cause the differences? If so, what is that?
Secondly, as a non-developed lilong community, Siwenli may provide some
important information about the spatial properties of a traditional lilong
community which should be explores by the further analyses. To pursue this, we
answer questions: why residents are usually seating at junctions? Why some
places are favored for group? Is there any spatial meaning for the lanes layout?
138
Thirdly, if lanes of Tianzifang are fully protected, why there were so many visitors
in lanes? Beside the tourist attraction, is there another explanation of the
phenomenon such as some spatial changing happened at Tianzifang? If so,
which part has been changed? Why only a few old residents were seating at a
few junctions and on children in Tianzifang? To answer the question, Jingan villa
could be an object of reference which has similar space use pattern with Siwenli,
however it is a barely-developed lilong community.
2. Axial and VGA analyses
To answer the questions which have been asked in the previous section, a
series of visibility and axial graph analyses will be done in the section. And the
results will be discussed and evaluated.
2.1 Siwenli
In order to find out the spatial property of traditional lilong community which
could use as the reference on the other communities, as a non-developed
community, Siwenli should be analyzed first in the section. This series of
analyses will start from a larger area which include an 800mx800m square and
the community in the centre. This analysis could help us to evaluate the
relationship between the community and its neighbors.
139
a) Visibility graph analyses of an 800mx800m square include Siwenli.
Figure 116: Satellite photograph of Figure 117: Make boundary lines of

Siwenli (highlighted with red line) buildings and communities in the
within an 800mX800m square square (Created by the author).
(Source: Google map).
Figure 118: Graph of visual integration value on the global level (created by the
author).
140
Figure 119: Scatter plot graph of Visual integration n value Vs connectivity value
(The red dots represent spaces of Siwenli).
According to the graph of figure 118 and 119, spaces of Siwenli are independent
and isolated form the local system. Even there are eight gates open to the urban
streets, and the north one which called Xin Zha road, has high integration value.
The inner spaces of Siwenli remained relatively low value.
b) Visibility graph analyses of inner spaces of Siwenli.
141
Figure 120: Visual integration global value. Figure 121: Accessibility local value.
Figure 122: Examples of distribution maps of group activities at Siwenli.
142
Figure 123: Visual control value
Figure 124: Examples of distribution maps of seating residents at Siwenli.
143
As show in the figure 120, 121 and 122, analyzed with Depthmap, both the two
main lanes, one top lane and a central area (indicated by red circles), which
close to the west main lane, show high visual integration global value and high
local value of accessibility. This areas have been identified by the snapshots
graphs where are the favorite area for group activities (Figure 122). These
results reveal a fact: residents favor to group at places where spatial layout
provides wider possibility to see, and give more choices to access in or out.
Figure 123 gives a clear view on where has high visual control spatial property.
The graph indicates that each junction has high visual value. This gives the
explanation about why local residents prefer to seat or group at junctions as
shows in figure 124, for such places have particular convenience for watching
more spaces. This could regard to their habit, and watching for the safety of
properties and family members like children. Meanwhile, they could have more
opportunities to communicate with their neighbors at junctions.
2.2 Jingan villa
a) Visibility graph analyses of a 1000mx1000m area include Jingan villa.
144
Figure 125: Satellite photograph of Jingan villa (highlighted with red line) within
a 1000mX1000m square (Source: Google map).
(Created by the author).
145
Figure 127: Graph of visual integration value on the global level (created by the
author).
(The red dots represent spaces of Jingan villa. Red dots in the purple circle
present the main lane space of Jingan villa).
146
As illustrated with figure 127 and 128, the inner lanes‟ spaces of Jingan villa earn
the high spatial position of local system if compare with the spatial position of
Siwenli. According to the figure 128, the main lane got the even higher spatial
vale about spatial integration and connectivity than its branches. This could give
the configurational explanation about why people use the main lane as an
important local shortcut and why the peak time of the tourist and passenger was
in lunch time or afternoon (please see figure 92 and table 4).
b) Visibility graph analyses of the inner space of Jingan villa.
If we want identity the spatial influences which has brought by the refurbishment,
information of the site observation should be reviewed first. After the
refurbishment, there are around 36 shops running within the community (see
figure 66). Most of these shops open doors from morning to evening and have
taken placed old doors with glass doors and windows (figure 129&130). This
means people could not only see inside these paces, but also walk into these
public spaces which were personal. Moreover, if a shop which occupies the
whole ground floor of a unit, people can be allowed use corridor of the shop as a
shortcut to another branch. Therefore, these changes which could be suggested
to call as „open doors‟ should have brought some degree of spatial impacts to
the inner space of Jingan villa. The following analyses will be applied under the
situation both before and after „open the door‟.
147
Figure 129: A glass window of a shop Figure 130: A bar opened doors
(photograph by the author) during the night (photograph by the
author).
Figure 131: Visual integration global value before „open doors‟.
148
Figure 132: Visual integration global value after „open doors‟.
before „open doors‟ (R2=0.988).
149
after „open doors‟ (R2=0.968).
Form figure 131 to 134, the analyses compares the new visual integration value
with the old. For the new shop spaces appeared and dispersed in the community,
the visual integration global value slightly declined to 0.968 from 0.988. From
figure 133 and134, we can see such spatial changes brought some degree of
influences to the clusters of the main lane and branches. However, no big visual
integration change has been indicated by the analyses on the global level.
150
Figure 135: Accessibility local value before „open doors‟.
Figure 136: Accessibility local value after „open doors‟.
151
Figure 135 and 136 show the results of analyses about accessibility on the local
level. By comparing the „open doors‟ one with the old, large impact can be
identified. Figure 136 gives some sense of a commercial space: visitors could
have more choices to access and see when they moving in the lane, especially
in the main lane. The fact that most shops close to the main lane has change the
local value of the community a lot.
Figure 137: Visual control value before „open doors‟.
152
Figure 138: Visual control value after „open doors‟.
Figure 139: Scatter plot graph of Visual integration global value Vs visual control
value before „open doors‟ (R2=0.338).
153
value after „open doors‟ (R2=0.277).
Finally, by the comparing about the visual control old value with after-„open
doors‟ value, some degrees of additional spatial changes could be found. Like
residents of Siwenli, residents of Jingan villa also like to seat and group at
junctions. Figure 137 indicates high visual control value of these junctions, just
like we have done for Siwenli. However, in figure 138, some areas in branches
show also show high visual control value (highlighted with red circle). This
perhaps decreases the visual control integration value of the main lane. Figure
139 and 140 confirm the decline that R2 value decreased from 0.338 to 0.277.
2.3 Tianzifang
154
a) Visibility graph analyses of a 1000mx1000m area include Tianzifang.
Figure 141: Satellite photograph of Tianzifang (highlighted with red line) within a
1000mX1000m square (Source: Google map).
155
Figure 143: Visibility graph of visual integration value on the global level (created
by the author).
(Red dots represent lane‟s spaces of Tianzifang).
156
By the analysis results show in figure 143 and 144, the lane‟s of Tianzifang show
low visual integration value in the local system. These lanes spatial position are
as low as that of Siwenli‟s.
The experience of the previous analyses at Jingan villa inspires the analyses at
Tianzifang. For more than 90% area of ground of Tianzifang has been occupied
by commercial units (see figure 53), the similar strategy: compare the analyses
results of before-„open doors‟ with the after-„open doors‟, should be done again
for Tianzifang.
Figure 145: A traditional door of Figure 146: A glass door of a

a unit at Tianzifang (Photograph shop at Tianzifang (Photograph
by the author). by the author).
b) Axial analyses of a 1000mx1000m area include Tianzifang.
157
Figure 147: Axial graph of integration value on the global level before „open
doors (created by the author).
Figure 148: Axial graph of integration value on the global level after „open
doors‟(created by the author).
158
Figure 148 shows that both Jiang Guo road and Tai Kang road, and main inner
lanes of Tianzifang get higher integration value than that before „open doors‟. For
these spaces of shops give more accessibility for visitors‟ movement. If we zoom
in the two graphs to look into the community, more changes of values of lanes
could be identified.
before „open doors‟ (created by the author).
159
Figure 150: Axial graph of integration value on the global level of Tianzifang after
„open doors‟ (created by the author).
Figure 151: Scatter plot graph of axial integration global value Vs connectivity
value before „open doors‟ (Red dots represent mian lane of Tianzifang).
160
Figure 152: Scatter plot graph of axial integration global value Vs connectivity
value after „open doors‟ (Red dots represent mian lane of Tianzifang).
After „open doors‟, in figure 150, main lanes of Tianzifang show higher value
than that in figure 149. If compared figure 152 with 151, statistical differences
could be see clearer: more lanes‟ value are higher than the mean value after the
„open doors‟. Before that, nearly a half of lanes lower than the mean value.
c) Visibility graph analyses of the inner spaces of Tianzifang.
161
162
Figure 155: Accessibility local value before „open doors‟
Figure 156: Accessibility local value after „open doors‟.
163
Figure 157: Visual control before „open doors‟.
Figure 158: Visual control after „open doors‟.
164
value before „open doors‟ (R2=0.215).
value after „open doors‟ (R2=0.140).
165
After the „open doors‟, both visual integration and local accessibility analyses
show large changes as show in figure 154 and 156. There are three longest
main lanes (two on the west and east side, one on the north) show much higher
visual integration value than the before. For the analyses of local accessibility,
after the „open doors‟, the area where has high local accessibility value can been
everywhere in the community. This means when tourists walking in Tianzifang,
they have lots of choices to see and to access at anytime. This give some sense
like walking in a big shopping mall. Maybe the change of the „open doors‟ has
developed Tianzifang into a shopping mall, even its layout of lanes had been
protected completely. Moreover, even more visual control areas are indicated by
figure 158, it R2 value decreases from 0.215 to 0.14, after the „open doors‟. This
result is similar to that of Jingan villa.
166
2.4 Xintiandi
a) Visibility graph analyses of a 1000mx1000m area include Xintiandi.
Figure 161: Satellite photograph of Xintiandi (highlighted with red line) within a
1000mX1000m square (Source: Google map).
167
Figure 163: Visibility graph of visual integration value on the global level with the
model of Xintiandi after the redevelopment (created by the author).
Figure 164: Scatter plot graph of Visual integration global value Vs connectivity
value after the redevelopment (Red dots represent Xintiandi‟s spaces).

168
Figure 165: Visibility graph of visual integration value on the global level with the
model of Xintiandi before the redevelopment (created by the author).
value before the redevelopment (Red dots represent Xintiandi‟s spaces).

169
Because of Xiantiandi is considered as a fully-redeveloped lilong community. For
this reason, changes of spatial layout should have been imposed on the
community. In order to explore the changes, double analyses should be done
again, one for before-the –redevelopment and another for
after-the-redevelopment, like did for Jingan villa and Tianzifang in the previous
sections. Figure 163 to 166 show the graphs of visual integration analyses of a
1kmx1km area with Xintiandi inside. As figure 166 indicates, spatially, Xiantindi
was an isolated community from the local system, just like inner spaces of
Siwenli and Tianzifang. However, after have been redeveloped, its space earns
a higher position of the local system which indicated by figure 164.
b) Visibility graph analyses of the inner spaces of Xintiandi.
Figure 167: Visual integration global value of the old layout of Xintiandi before
the redevelopment (existing and protected lanes are circled with red).
170
value of the old layout of Xintiandi before the redevelopment (Red dots represent
existing and protected lanes).
Figure 169: Visual integration global value of the existing layout of Xintiandi out
of the business hours.
171
value of the existing layout of Xintiandi out of the business hours (Red dots
represent protected old lanes, purple dots represent the main street in the
middle).
during the business hours.
172
value of the existing layout of Xintiandi during the business hours (Red dots
represent protected old lanes, purple dots represent the main street in the
middle).
Figure 167 to 172 illustrate analyses graphs of spatial layout of three different
periods of Xintiandi: after the redevelopment and out of the business hours, after
the redevelopment and during the business hours, before the redevelopment.
This could give a comprehensive view to explore the spatial changes of Xintiandi.
If we look at figure 167 and 168 firstly, we can find that the protected old lanes
have high vision integration value within the community and the longest lane in
the center which has the highest value served as a main lane before the
redevelopment. However, after the redevelopment, if compared figure 167 and
168, with figure 169 to 172, we can find that the longest and broad street in
today‟s Xintiandi occupies the position of the highest vision integration value,
173
both at the business hours and out of the business hours (this differences here:
all shop doors are opened during the business hours, this gives even higher
visual integration value to the main street as illustrated with figure 171). In
contrast, the protected old lanes‟ decreased to the almost lowest position in the
local spatial layout. This could provide a spatial explanation of why there were
always a few visitors in these old lanes no matter how crowded in the main street
at the same time.
Figure 173: Compare the graph of local accessibility value before the
redevelopment during the business hours (the left) with the graph of local
accessibility value after the redevelopment (the right).
174
Figure 174: Compare the graph of visual control value before the redevelopment
during the business hours (the left) with the graph of visual control value after the
redevelopment (the right).
value after the redevelopment during the business hours (R2=0.318).
175
value before the redevelopment (R2=0.045).
In figure 173, the existing Xintiandi gives a very strong sense of a commercial
area since high local accessibility value areas can be seen everywhere at
Xintiandi. Especially is the south-west area, where is the ground floor of a
modern shopping mall. Compare to the value of the existing layout, the graph of
local accessibility value is more „calm down‟. High areas distributed equally to
the each junction of old lanes. There are no „overheating‟ areas spotted in the
graph. In figure 174, high visual control areas are spotted at junctions of the old
layout which also distributed equally to the every corner of the community before
it has been redeveloped. Perhaps for this reason, the mean value of visual
integration global value Vs visual control value got only 0.045 (figure 176). In
contrast, most areas where have high visual control value are integrated in the
176
main street after the redevelopment. Its mean value reached at 0.318, much
higher than the one before the redevelopment. However, Xintiandi is a pure
commercial community today. Without its residents, it is meaningless to has a
such street with high integrated visual control value. Since there are no residents
are going to seat or group at these areas. Maybe for this reason, the largest
group of guards among all the cases was recorded at site.
To conclude the section, some questions which have been asked in the former
section should be answer now. Firstly, beside Jingan villa, the analyses of spatial
relationship between Siwenli, Tianzifang, old Xintiandi and their outer
environment, show spaces of these lilong communities are isolated from the
local environment. Moreover, there is a hierarchical system of the inner spaces
of these lilong communities: there always have one to two main lanes
(sometimes three) which connect one entrance to another have the highest
visual integration value among other branches. Some small squares where have
more choices to access and wider scope to see have higher local value than
inside lanes. And each junction has higher visual control value than inside lanes.
For these reason, most residents move in main lanes, seating at junctions,
grouping at a point where could provide high ability to see and to access in or out.
Because of the low visual and accessibility value, branches‟ spaces are safe
places for residents‟ daily life. They treated branches as living rooms for their
afternoon nap, washing, cooking, children playing. By these definitions, a
general outline of spatial properties and meaning of traditional lilong space and
177
layout has been done.
Now, we can answer other questions. The protected old lanes of Xintiandi were
the main lane and its branches which had the highest integration value among
other lanes before Xintiandi has been redeveloped. After the redevelopment, the
main lane‟s position took placed by a longer and wider ventral commercial street
which has superior vision and accessibility integration both at global and local
level. Most bars and restaurants are facing to the street. Therefore, visitors are
more easily to see, access to the main street, attracted into old lanes barely.
Because the large open of the main street to unban streets, large flow of visitors
could come into Xintiandi.
Although Siwenli‟s layout of lanes is protected well, hundreds of traditional doors
have been replaced by glass doors and inner spaces transferred into public for
commercial purpose. These changes also brought large spatial impacts to
Siwenli: its main lanes get high integration value, even two urban streets which
connect to the main lanes get higher value than its‟ before „open doors.‟
Therefore, the rate of visitor‟s flowing up. Meanwhile, high valued local
accessibility and visual control areas can be distinguished everywhere. This
almost makes the community into a mall, visitors can be seen everywhere just as
the snapshots maps shows. And the integration value of visual control down may
cause the decline of safety level. This could be suggested as an explanation for
the question why no child of Siwenli was recorded.

178
At this stage, we have revealed some knowledge about spatial properties of the
traditional lilong communities. But we still do not know: what is the relationship
between the culture and lilong spaces? How residents use lanes‟ spaces to
maintain the way of their life? Only interviews of local residents could provide
useful information for answers, which are going to be presented in the next
section.
3. Interview
There are 25 interviews did for the thesis, 8 for Tianzifang, 11 for Siwenli and 6
for Jingan villa. No interviews did for Xintiandi since there are no residents living
there. A form is intended for interviews (see appendixes 1). The form are divided
into five parts: Section A included five multiple-choice questions related to the
environmental conditions; Section B will ask the interviewee five questions about
the secure conditions of the community; in Section C, six multiple-choice
questions relate to community cohesion; there are eight multiple-choice
questions about culture in Section D; finally, some open questions need to be
answered in Section E. Each interviewee will be asked to write down their age,
occupation and signature on the form. From section A to D, there is a mark
system in the form for evaluating the communities. Section A contains 25 marks
in total, section B, C and D contains 25, 30 and 40 respectively. Each
multiple-choice question has four to five choices, and each single choice
contains one, up to five marks. The general rule of the evaluation of the mark is:
179
the higher the better. The following tables will give a sum of marks and main
answers of interviews in the each community which could help easier to
evaluate.
Reference Section Section Section Section The biggest The biggest

Number A B C D benefit for drawback of
living in the
community
Full mark 25 25 30 40
01 13 20 24 36 Location Too much
convenience noise
02 18 16 18 28 Do not know Too much
noise
03 13 14 16 36 Good Buildings are
environment too old
of culture
08 11 20 25 32 Location Room is too
convenience small
09 15 20 20 26 Do not know Do not know
10 11 21 27 36 Location Poor
convenience facilities
11 16 20 22 32 More Between
opportunities commercial
to meet and
visitors residence
12 11 20 28 38 Location Poor
convenience facilities
inside rooms
Average 13.5 18.87, 22.5 33 Location Too much
mark / 3.75 for convenience noise & Poor
high child, facilities
frequency 3.5 for inside room
answers elderly & community
Table 6: Sum of interviews at Tianzifang.
180

living in the
community
Full mark 25 25 30 40
13 12 19 30 36 The Poor
community facilities
is safe inside
rooms
14 13 19 30 38 Good Poor
atmosphere sanitary
of life and conditions
culture
15 14 20 28 38 Location No enough
convenienc public
e spaces
16 13 16 17 30 Unique Room is too
culture small
atmosphere
17 16 19 30 38 Good Old facilities
location for and
transportatio buildings
n
18 11 19 30 36 Good Too much
location for noise
transportatio
n
Average 13.17 18.67, 27.5 36 Location Poor
Mark / 3.67 convenienc facilities
high for e inside room
frequency child, &
answers 4.5 for community
the
elderly
Table 7: Sum of interviews at Jingan villa.
181

living in the
community
Full mark 25 25 30 40
04 7 13 30 38 Good Poor
location sanitary
conditions
05 12 19 30 40 Good Poor
location sanitary
conditions
06 6 24 28 34 Good No enough
location public
spaces
07 6 19 17 27 Good Poor
location sanitary
conditions
19 5 19 26 40 Good Poor
location sanitary
conditions
20 5 22 28 36 Good Poor
relationship sanitary
between conditions
neighbors
21 5 20 26 36 Good Room is too
location small and
poor facility
22 6 20 24 36 Good Poor
location facilities
23 6 20 24 38 Good Poor
location sanitary
conditions
24 5 25 24 34 Good Do not
location know
25 5 23 27 34 Good Poor
location sanitary
conditions
Average 6.18 20.36, 25.81 35.72 Good Poor
Mark / 4 for location sanitary
high child, convenienc conditions
frequency 4.45 e
answers for the
elderly
Table 8: Sum of interviews at Siwenli.
182
According to table 7, 8 and 9, most residents are not satisfied with the
environment and facilities of their community. For the average marks of the
Section A are all lower than the half of the full mark, especially the Siwenli which
got the mark only at 6.18, for it has not been repaired for nearly a century.
Meanwhile, residents are suffered with poor sanitary environment of the
community which is considered as the biggest problem by the local residents.
Although the superior location of these three lilong communities are all
considered as the largest benefit by their residents, Siwenli contributes a lot for
the low income families. Because of the redevelopment and refurbishment of
Tianzifang and Jiangan villa, the rental of the two communities is quite high and
could not affordable for the low income families. As one resident said during the
interview that she have to pay around 300 pounds monthly for renting a
15m2-room at Tianzifang (interview No.10). In contrast, another woman rent a
11m2-room at Siwenli only pay 60 per month (interview No.07). Becaure of the
poor conditions of facilities and sanitary of Siwenli, the rental of a room is still
affordable for such a low-incom family. Meanwhile, they can enjoy the
convenience of the location, like easy for taking a bus, find a job or getting to a
hospital. Like an eight years old girl said at the interview (No. 24): „I prefer to live
here longer. Since my fater and moher all working in a building where is very
close to the community. They can get to the building by walking within 5 minutes.
Therefore, my mother can back home during the noon to prepare lunch for me.
And the community is safe and some of my classmates are living in the
183
community. We can play here together after shool.‟ Moreover, a residernt of
Siwenli said to the author, more than 50% populations are low-incom migrant
workers and their families. Low rental and good location of Siwenli are vital for
their living in the city (interview No.21).
For the secure factor (Section B), Siwenli got the highest mark at 20.36, average
mark for the Child and the elderly at 4 and 4.45, which could be consider as
„satisfactory‟. Therefore, there were many children and the elderly spotted at
Siwenli. Although Tianzifang got marks as many as that of Jingan villa in Section
B, there were no children and only a few old residents recorded at Tianzifang.
This may regarded to the reason there are too much noise all the day which is
considered by the local residents as the main drawback of the community. A
resident of Tianzifang said: „All families have moved their children and living
outside, because there are too much noise, crowd, and too much strangers in
the community everyday. It is not good for children and the elderly. (interview
No.1)‟ But the elderly consider the lilong community are everything. Their life,
memories are in the lilong. They can not live without the community (interview
No. 05). This could give an explanation about why a few old residents are still
living in Tianzifang.
For the cohesion and culture factors, both the three communities get good marks
in Section C and D. This result confirms the thought that lilong neighbors have
very good relationship between them. Most interviewees thought they are living
184
in a community with unique culture performance, traditional architecture, lifestyle,
which cannot be seen in the modern communities. Moreover, they enjoy very
good relationship whith their neighbors, this is one of the most important reason
for why most interviewee were prefer to stay in lilong communities.
185
Chapter 5: Discussions and conclusion
By the above analyses, a conclusion could be draw. Lilong communities were
built for residents‟ living, not for commercial activities. The spatial properties of
lanes and its layout are built for residents‟ daily life: main lanes are easy to move
and communicate, junctions are easy to control, wider spaces are favor for
group where are easy to watch and access, and branches are used as living
rooms, kitchen and laundry for the residents. These definitions could be
suggested as the quintessential spatial properties of the lilong communities.
Therefore, the way of residents‟ life is relay on the space of lanes. On the other
hand, without residents, the space of lilong community will lost the meaning of
existence. Lilong communities and residents, they are a pair of co-existence. As
Lefebvre said that housing gives „a particular family belonging to a particular
country, a particular region, a particular soil; and it is a component part of a
particular site and a country side (Lefebvre 1991, 83).‟ Residents give the unique
character to buildings and communities where they live. Than the buildings and
communities maintain the character and pass to the next generation. This
character perhaps is culture.
Therefore, culture is about the way of people‟s life, not only a skin of a traditional
house. To protect culture, the resident‟s life should be protected first. By this
definition, both Xintiandi and Tianzifang do not protect the lilong communities
well. Without have been driven out residents, protected old buildings and lanes
186
of Xintiandi are only advertisements. Moreover, developer of Xintiandi changed
the old layout entirely into a new layout which is more effective for commercial
activities but residential. As a result, more than half the traditional lilong buildings
of old Xintiandi have been destroyed. Therefore, the redevelopment of Xintiandi
destroys the traditional culture entirely at the site. The culture factor of Xintiandi
is only an empty slogan of the government and the developer.
Although layout of lanes are protected well and residents are still living at
Tianzifang, material changes of doors and more than 90% ground units have
transferred in to public, have imposed large impact to the spaces of Tianzifang.
These spatial changes also brought the changes of residents‟ life: too much
noise bothers the residents, security decrease, no children and only a few old
residents living inside, residents hard to seat or group at junctions or other areas,
no peddlers allowed into the community. Therefore, the way of residents‟ life
cannot be lasted there. Traditional culture is dying at Tianzifang.
As a barely-redeveloped lilong community, lanes of Jingan villa are well
protected and not many shops in the community. There are no big changes of
lanes‟ spatial layout and property. As a result, residents of Jingan villa still live in
a traditional way, as that of Siwenli. However, there are some visitors and a few
children spotted at its main lane.
Siwenli is a traditional lilong community both for the spatial and culture aspects.
187
Today, its residents still live in the traditional way relay on the spaces of the
community, just like the illustration in the beginning of the conclusion. Therefore,
culture is protected will at Tianzifang. Beside the culture aspect, lilong
communities like Siwenli, are also significant to the low-income families.
Because of the poor facilities and poor conditions of buildings, areas of rooms
and sanitary, rental is cheap in the community. These low income families could
afford to rent and enjoy the convenience location where is easy to find public
transportation, job opportunities, hospital and so on. This could be suggested as
a new important meaning for protecting the lilong communities in the present
day.
188
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Appendixes 1- interview form
Interview number: Date: community:
Age: Sex:
Section A: Questions of environmental conditions (25 points)

第一部分: 社区环境的状况问题（此部分包括 25 分）
1. How do you consider the facilities (bathroom, water, sewer) in the
community?
您怎样看待您现在居住的小区的设施（卫生间，自来水，下水道）？
5. very good 4.good 3. average 2. below average 1.poor
很好好一般低于一般差
2. How do you consider the buildings conditions (wall, floor) of the community?
您怎样看待您居住小区的建筑（墙体，楼板等）状况？
十分好好一般低于一般差
3. How do you consider the public space (width of path and plaza, connectivity)
in the community?
您怎样看待您居住的小区的公共空间（通道的宽敞度，活动空间的富裕度，联
系的便捷性）？
5. enough and effective 4. good 3. Is OK but some time crowd
足够而且有效还好还可以但是有时候拥挤
2. It is hard to say OK 1. always narrow and crowd
很难说还可以狭窄而且拥挤
4. How do you consider the environment (green land, garden) in your
community?
您怎样看待您居住小区的环境（绿地，花园）？
193
5. How do you consider the sanitary condition of the community?

您怎样看待您居住小区的卫生状况？
Section B: Questions of secure conditions of the community (25 points)

第二部分: 社区安全状况问题（此部分包括 25 分）
1. How do you consider the secure conditions in your community?

您怎样看待你居住小区的安全状况？
5. very safe 4. safe 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1. Danger
十分安全安全不是那么安全需要改善危险
2. How do you consider the secure conditions for children in your community?
您怎样看待你居住小区的对孩子的安全状况？
3. How do you consider the secure conditions for old people in your
community?
您怎样看待你居住小区的对老人的安全状况？
4. Does old people living in the community can easyly get connect to their
neighbors?
这个社区的老人可以较容易地联系到他们的邻居吗？
5.very easy 4.relatively easy 3.normally 2.not easy 1.hard
很容易较容易一般不容易难
5. If a stranger came into the community, he/she can be defined quickly by
neighbors.
194
如果陌生人进入了这个社区，他们可以很容易被辨认出来吗？
5.very easy 4.relatively easy 3.hard to say 2.not easy 1.hard
很容易较容易不好说不容易难
Section C: Questions of community cohesion (30 points)

第三部分: 社区凝聚力问题（此部分包括 30 分）
1． How many neighbors you know in the community?
在这个小区您认识多少位邻居？
5. more than 50 4.50 to 30 3. 30 to 20 2. 20 to 10 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位
2. The community gives me a sense of home.
这个社区给了我家的感觉。
5. True 是 3.hard to say 不好说 1. False 不是
3．Neighbors can solve problems of the community by themselves.
住在这个社区中的居民可以自己解决社区的问题（纠纷）。
4．People who live in the community are very close together.
这个社区的居民彼此很亲近。
5. very close 4.some time close 3. Average 2. below average 1.cold
很好有时亲近一般低于一般冷漠
5．I have influences to what the community was like.
我对这个社区有一定的影响力。
6．I expected to live in the community for a long period.
我希望在这个社区长时间住下去。
Section D: Questions of community culture (40 points)

第三部分: 社区文化问题（此部分包括 40 分）
195
1． Living in this community gives me a true sense (style) of Shanghai.

这个社区给了我真正的上海感觉。
2． Buildings of the community present Shanghai‟s traditional architecture.

这个社区的建筑是真正的上海建筑。
3． The public space and facilities of community gives a large influence of
people‟s way of life.
这个社区的公共空间和设施给了居民生活的生活方式很大的影响。
4． Many culture and life style (phenomena) in this community could not be seen
in a modern one.
这个社区的很多文化生活方式（现象）在现代小区是见不到的。
5． The experience of life (culture) in this community is unique and diversity.
生活在这个小区的（文化）经历是独特且多样化的。
6． The true value of the community is to maintain the way of residents‟ life.
这个社区的真正价值在于保存了居民的生活方式。
7． The public space of the community is very important to my daily life.
这个社区的公共空间对我的每日生活来说很重要。
8． Some important events (celebrating, marketing, recreation) are regular

happened in the public space of the community.
有些重要的事件（节庆，贩卖，公共娱乐）会定期的在小区的公共空间发
生。
196
Section E: Open questions

第五部分：开放式问题
1. How long you have lived in the community?
你在这里住了多久？
2. Are you own the apartment where you are living in?
你买下了这个房子吗？
3. What is the largest benefit of living in the community?
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？
4. What is the largest negative of living in the community?
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？
5. Which community you prefer to live in, a Lilong or a modern community?
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？
6. Free question ask by the author according to the context of the interview:
Signature (if you willing)

签名（如果您愿意的话）
197
Appendixes 2 – interview transcripts
Interview number: 01 Date: 13 July 2010 community: Tianzifang

Age: 50 Sex: F Position: resident

community?
5. very good 4.good 3. average 2. below average 1.poor√
5. very good 4.good 3. average√ 2. below average 1.poor
in the community?
您怎样看待您居住的小区的公共空间（通道的宽敞度，活动空间的富裕度，联系
的便捷性）？
5. enough and effective√ 4. good 3. Is OK but some time crowd
community?
198

5. very safe 4. safe√ 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1. Danger


community?
5. very safe 4. safe 3. not such safe 2. need improve√ 1. Danger

neighbors?
5.very easy√ 4.relatively easy 3.normally 2.not easy 1.hard

199
neighbors.
5.very easy√ 4.relatively easy 3.hard to say 2.not easy 1.hard

5. more than 50√4.50 to 30 3. 30 to 20 2. 20 to 10 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位
5. True 是√ 3.hard to say 不好说 1. False 不是


5. very close√ 4.some time close 3. average 2. below average 1.cold
5. True 是 3.hard to say 不好说√ 1. False 不是

5. True 是 3.hard to say 不好说 1. False 不是√
200

第四部分: 社区文化问题（此部分包括 40 分）


in a modern one.


5. True 是 √ 3.hard to say 不好说 1. False 不是

有些重要的事件（节庆，贩卖，公共娱乐）会定期的在小区的公共空间发生。
201

你在这里住了多久？ 12years
你买下了这个房子吗？ Yes
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Here has many location
convenience, very easy to transport.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Too much noise during the night.
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ Lilong community.
6. Why you like lilong?
Because living here I can easy to find my way and get to my destination very
quickly like buying food or go to hospital.
7. Why no children can be seen here?

All families have moved their children and living outside, because there
are too much noise, crowd, and too much strangers in the community everyday.
It is not good for children and the elderly.

202

Age: 25 Sex: M Position: shopkeeper

community?
5. very good 4.good 3. average √ 2. below average 1.poor
5. very good 4.good√ 3. average 2. below average 1.poor
in the community?
的便捷性）？
5. enough and effective 4. good 3. Is OK but some time crowd√
community?
5. very good 4.good √ 3. average 2. below average 1.poor
203
5. very good 4.good √ 3. average 2. below average 1.poor



community?
5. very safe 4. safe 3. not such safe√ 2. need improve 1. Danger

neighbors?
5.very easy 4.relatively easy 3.normally √ 2.not easy 1.hard

neighbors.
如果陌生人进入了这个社区，他们可以很容易被辨认出来吗
5.very easy 4.relatively easy 3.hard to say 2.not easy√ 1.hard
204

5. more than 50 4.50 to 30 3. 30 to 20√ 2. 20 to 10 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位


5. very close 4.some time close 3. average√ 2. below average 1.cold


1. Living in this community gives me a true sense (style) of Shanghai.

205
2. Buildings of the community present Shanghai‟s traditional architecture.

3. The public space and facilities of community gives a large influence of

4. Many culture and life style (phenomena) in this community could not be
seen in a modern one.
5. The experience of life (culture) in this community is unique and diversity.

6. The true value of the community is to maintain the way of residents‟ life.
7. The public space of the community is very important to my daily life.

8. Some important events (celebrating, marketing, recreation) are regular

206

你买下了这个房子吗？ No
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ I do not know.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Too much visitors, toomuch noise.
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ Modern community.
6. Why you prefer to live in a modern community?
Because of there are good ficilities in the modern communities. But I prefer
to play in the lilong communities, there are many culture stuffes in there.

207

Age: 35 Sex: M Position: employee

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
2. It is hard to say OK 1. always narrow and crowd√
community?
208



community?
5. very safe 4. safe 3. not such safe √ 2. need improve 1. Danger

neighbors?
5.very easy 4.relatively easy 3.normally√ 2.not easy 1.hard

neighbors.
209

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位
1. less than 10 少于 2 位




210


in a modern one.



211

你在这里住了多久？ Three monthes
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Buildings of the community are
unique, attract many visitors which good for my business.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Too much visitors everyday.
There are residents still living in the community who should move out. Because
of they still living inside which gives negative effects to the commercial activities.
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ Modern community.

212
Interview number: 04 Date: 14 July 2010 community: Siwenli

Age: 54 Sex: M Position: resident

community?
5. very good 4.good 3. average 2. below average√ 1.poor
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
213
5. very good 4.good 3. average 2. below average 1.poor √



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
214

5. more than 50√ 4.50 to 30 3. 30 to 20 2. 20 to 10 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




215


in a modern one.



216

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？Easy to transport, convenience location
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor conditions of sanitary
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ Modern one, if easy to
transport

217


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
5. enough and effective 4. good√ 3. Is OK but some time crowd
community?
218



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
219

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




220


in a modern one.



221

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Easy to transportation, convenience
to buy goods and get to a hospital.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor conditions of sanitary
6. Why you prefer lilong?
I have lived in lilong for more than 35 years. My life, my memory and my
everything are here. I can not live without them.

222


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
223



5. very safe√ 4. safe 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1. Danger

community?
5. very safe √ 4. safe 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1. Danger

neighbors?

neighbors.
224

5. more than 50 √ 4.50 to 30 3. 30 to 20 2. 20 to 10 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位



225



in a modern one.



226

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Easy to transportation.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ No enough public spaces.
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A modern one.
6. Why you prefer to live in a modern community?
Because my children and grand children are all living in a modern
community, I want to live with them.

227

Age: 30 Sex: F Position: peddler

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
228



community?

neighbors?
5.very easy 4.relatively easy√ 3.normally 2.not easy 1.hard

neighbors.
5.very easy 4.relatively easy 3.hard to say √ 2.not easy 1.hard
229

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




230


in a modern one.



231

你在这里住了多久？ 1and half a years
你买下了这个房子吗？ rent
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Convenience location
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor sanitary conditions
6. Why you prefer lilong communities?
Because of the cost of rent a room here is retelatively low. I rented a room with
11m2, pay 600 RMB (equals around 60 pounds) monthly. If I lived in a morden
one around here, I should pay double of this.

232


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
233



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
234

5. more than 50 4.50 to 30√ 3. 30 to 20 2. 20 to 10 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




235


in a modern one.



236

你在这里住了多久？ 10Years
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Easy to transportation.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Room is too small.
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A modern one
6. Why you prefer a modern community?
Rooms of the community are too small. For example, two old ladies who are
living upstairs, only live in a room with 9 m2.

237

Age: 25 Sex: F Position: shopkeeper

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
238



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
239

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




240


in a modern one.

5. True 是 3.hard to say 不好说 √ 1. False 不是


241

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ I do not know.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ I do not know.

242


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
243



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
5.very easy 4.relatively easy√ 3.hard to say 2.not easy 1.hard
244

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




245


in a modern one.



246

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ I enjoy to see many visitors everyday.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor conditions of buildings.
I hope to own a bathroom and kitchen in my flat. Facilities of my room here is too
poor. Moreover, I rent also rent a room in Tianzifang. The rental is expensive. I
have to pay 3,000 RMB (around 300 pounds) monthly for the small room.

247
Interview number: 11 Date: 15 July 2010 community:Tianzifang

Age: 30/31 Sex: M Position: Tourist

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
2. It is hard to say OK√ 1. always narrow and crowd
community?
248



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
249

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位


5. very close 4.some time close 3. average√ 2. below average
1.cold
很好有时亲近一般低于一般
冷漠

250




in a modern one.



251

你在这里住了多久？ Almost 2years
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Good communty, good people
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Between commercial and residence
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ Lilong community

252


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
253



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
254

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




255


in a modern one.



256

住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？Poor facilities of rooms and community
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A Lilong community. I
prefer to live in a lilong community, because I like the good atmosphere among
my neighbors. I know more than 50 neighbors here, and we have very good
relationship each other.

257
Interview number: 13 Date: 18 July 2010 community: Jingan villa


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
258



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
259

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




260


in a modern one.



261

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Safe
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Environmental conditions need to
be improved.

262

Age: 28 Sex: F Position: shopkeeper

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
263



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
264

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




265


in a modern one.



266

你在这里住了多久？ 1.5years
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Good atmosphere and relationship
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor condition of sanitary
6. Why you prefer lilong community?
The culture of lilong inspires me.

267


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
268


5. very safe 4. safe √ 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1.Danger

community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
269

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




270


in a modern one.



271

你在这里住了多久？ 50 to 60 years
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Easy to transport, unique culture,
easy to communicate friends
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Too much cars im the main lane, no
enough public space.
I have lived here all my life time. I can not live without the community. My
everything are here. Moreover, after the trferbishmnet, rental of the community
goes up. I can earn more than before (He is a landlord of Jingan villa-the author).

272
Interview number: 16 Date: 18 July 2010 community:Jingan villa

Age: 36 Sex: M Position: Tourist

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
273

5. very safe 4. safe√ 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1.Danger

5. very safe 4. safe 3. not such safe√ 2. need improve 1.Danger

community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
274

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




275


in a modern one.



276

你在这里住了多久？ I am not living here.
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Good atmosphere of culture
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor conditions of rooms and ficilities
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ Lilong community

277
Interview number: 17 Date: 18uly 2010 community: Jingan villa

Age: 59 Sex: M Position: vesident

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
278



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
279

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




280


in a modern one.



281

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Convenience location, easy to
transport
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Buildings are too old.
6. Why you prefer to stay here?
Poor condition of buildings is not a big problem. Good location of the
community is vital. Furthermore, I like the good atmosphere here, I have many
friens and good neighbors in the community.

282


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?

283



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
284

5. more than 50 √ 4.50 to 30 3. 30 to 20 2. 20 to 10 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




285



in a modern one.



286

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Converience location
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Too much visitors and noise.
I lived here for 57 years. I think I can not move to outside.

287
Interview number: 19 Date: 25 July 2010 community: Siweli

Age: 49 Sex: M Position: shopkeeper

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
288



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
289

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




290


in a modern one.



291

住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor sanitary conditions.
6. I like lilong because of its good location. And the low rental is good for
outsiders who want rent a room here. I enjoy to communicate with them.

292


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
293


5. very safe 4. safe √ 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1.Danger

community?
5. very safe √ 4. safe 3. not such safe 2. need improve 1.Danger

neighbors?

neighbors.
294

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




295


in a modern one.



296

住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor sanitary conditions
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A modern community
I want living in a wider room with good ficilities.

297
Interview number: 21 Date: 25July 2010 community:Siwenli

Age: 56 Sex: M Position:

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
298



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
299

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位




300


in a modern one.



301

住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Room is too small, poor facilities
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A moder one
My room is too small with poor facilities. I want living in a wider one.
However, small rooms are good for low-incomes to rent. There is large
population of migrant works rent and living in Siwenli. They occupy more than
50% population of the community. They can enjoy the good location and low
rental at the sametime.

302
Interview number: 22 Date: 25July 2010 community: Siwenli

Age: 65 Sex: F Position:

community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
303



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
304

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位


5. very close√4.some time close 3. average 2. below average 1.cold


305
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位

in a modern one.



306

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Convenience location, good
relationship with neighbors.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor facilities
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A modern one

307

Age: 47/50 Sex: F Position:

community?
5. very good 4.good 3. Average 2. below average√ 1.poor
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
308




community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
309

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位



310



in a modern one.


311


你在这里住了多久？ 47 Years
住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ Good location, easy get to public
transportation, hospital and working destination.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Room is too small, poor sanitary
condition
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A modern one. However, if
facilities, sanitary conditions could be improved I prefer to stay here.

312
Interview number: 24 Date: 28 July 2010 Community: Siweli

Age: 8 Sex: F Position: student/resident

community?
5. very good 4.good 3. average 2. below average 1.poo√r
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
313



community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
314

5. more than 50 4.50 to 30 3. 30 to 20 2. 20 to 10√ 1. less than 10
多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位


5. very close 4.some time close√ 3. average 2. below average 1.cold


315


in a modern one.



316

住在这个社区的最大好处是什么？ I can get to my school within 1
minute by walking.
住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ I do not know.
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ I prefer to live here longer.
Since my fater and moher all working in a building where is very close to the
community. They can get to the building by walking within 5 minutes. Therefore,
my mother can back home during the noon to prepare lunch for me. And the
community is safe and some of my classmates are living in the community. We
can play here together after shool.

317
Interview number: 25 Date: 28 July 2010 community: Siweli


community?
in the community?
的便捷性）？
community?
318




community?

neighbors?

neighbors.
319

多余 50 位 50 到 30 位 30 到 20 位 20 到 10 位少于 10 位


5. very close 4.some time close√ 3. average 2. below average 1.cold

320

第三部分: 社区文化问题（此部分包括 40 分）


in a modern one.



321

住在这个社区的最大弊端是什么？ Poor sanitary condition.
你更偏向于住在里弄社区还是现代的小区？ A modern community.

322

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The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies

MSC Advanced Architecture Studies

Lilong housing, community or commercial?

The Bartlett School of Graduate Studies

A Thesis submitted in part fulfilment of the degree of Master of Science in

University College London

indicated in the thesis.

“lilong” is a word which combines above two separated words to describe an

Different to the traditional courtyard of Beijing, lilong housing was originally

designed by western architects who borrowed traditional dwelling patterns

combined western housing plan arrangement to follow the profound

becoming popular at that period. Therefore, lilong housing is a unique settlement

and its people.

As a low-rise, interrelated-community pattern, lilong community has many

advantageous characteristics such as effectively spatial organization network,

interaction and social cohesiveness, and, probably the maintenance of Chinese

to live and the key characteristic and pattern of Shanghai.

areas urban development in Shanghai threaten the future of lilong communities

analyzes some protected and non-protected lilong communities in Shanghai to

evaluate the government‟s and developer‟s protection.

Chapter 2: Literature Review…………………………………………………….22

Chapter 3: Cases and Methodologies……………………………………….....28

1. Historical background of Shanghai‟s Lilong housing and communities

2. Selection and general descriptions of cases

Chapter 4: Statistical Findings and Evaluations……………………………..67

1. The snapshots observations

2. Axial and VGA analyses

Chapter 5: Discussions and Conclusion………………………………….….186

Appendixes 1- interview form………………………………………………......193

Appendixes 2- interview transcripts………………………………………..….198

Table 1: Table of information background of Xintiandi, Tianzifang, Jingan villa

Table 2: Statistical Sum of Xintiandi…………………………………………….121

Table 3: Statistical Sum of Tianzifang…………………………………………..122

Table 4: Statistical Sum of Jingan villa………………………………………….122

Table 5: Statistical Sum of Siwenli……………………………………………...123

Table 6: Sum of interviews at Tianzifang……………………………………….180

Table 7: Sum of interviews at Jingan villa……………………………………...181

Table 8: Sum of interviews at Siwenli…………………………………………..182

Figure 1: Location map of Shanghai…………………………………………….28

Figure 2: The evolution of Shanghai during the last one century……………..29

Figure 3: Map of foreign concession in 1860‟s…………………………………30

Figure 4: Land use map of Shanghai at 1936…………………………………..32

Figure 5: Typical section and plan of an old Shi-ku-men Lilong house………35

Figure 6: Typical section and plan of a new Shi-ku-men Lilong house………36

Figure 7: Typical section and plan of a new type Lilong house……………….37

Figure 8: Typical patterns of the lilong community……………………………..39

Figure 9: Cover of “Sketches of traditional life in the lilong communities of

Figure 10: Sketch of children areplaying a game in a lane……………………..42

Figure 13: Sketch of greengrocer and cobbler in the lilong community1……...44

Figure 14: Sketch of greengrocer and cobbler in the lilong community2……...44

Figure 15: Sketch of washing and emptying chamberpot in the lane1………...45

Figure 16: Sketch of washing and emptying chamberpot in the lane2………...45

Figure 17: Satellite photo of Xintiandi………………………………………….….47

Figure 18: North entrance of Xintiandi………………………………………….…47

Figure 19: Master plan of Taipingqiao………………………………………..…...48

Figure 20: The master plan of Xintiandi……………………………………..……48

Figure 21: Satellite photo of Tianzifang……………………………………...……49

Figure 22: Photo of a lane in Tianzifang…………………………………………..49

Figure 24: Satellite photo of Shanghai with highlighted A20 highway………....52

Figure 25: Segment analyses of whole Shanghai node count n value………..52

Figure 26: Segment analyses of whole Shanghai total depth n value………....53

Figure 29: Location of four lilong communities……………………………….….55

Figure 30: Transportation map of centre Shanghai………………………….…..56