Roads, plots and building types in the implementation of urban renewal planning: A case study of Canton, China in the early 20th century

Abstract

The subject of this paper is the changes in the urban morphology of the main roads and surrounding areas within the city walls of Canton (Guangzhou) between 1918 and 1921, as a result of the demolition of the city walls and the construction of roads of modern city under the Office of Municipal Affairs. Based on a case study approach, this paper will apply an urban spatial research methodology based on urban morphological analysis as the main method, combined with a documentary reading approach for historical research. The urban renewal programme under the Shizheng Gongsuo (Office of Municipal Affairs) was driven by the idea that improving transport would increase the auction value of government-owned land and create revenue. The location of the government-owned lands and the accessibility of the main roads in the city were the main considerations in the choice of routes for the planned roads in this urban regeneration scheme. This plan changed the urban form of modern Canton in four ways: the demolition of the city walls, the construction of roads with pavements, the construction of Qilous, and the emergence of public space as a result of the commercialisation and publicisation of government-owned land.