RECONNECT: Urban Renewal As An Opportunity To Reshape Urban Context And Urban Lifestyles

During China’s rapid urbanization process, oftentimes characterized by replacing entire old neighborhood with massive new development, many contemporary buildings choose to showcase individuality instead of responding to urban environment because of the lack of urban context. This contributes to the disorder and sometimes rather chaotic overall urban image. As Chinese cities start to shift into the age of urban renewal and optimizing existing building assets, architects are presented with opportunities to reconnect buildings with urban environment through more open and context sensitive design strategies, thereby enhancing more coherent urban identity and promoting new urban lifestyles.