Foreign Architecture in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Foreign Architecture in China - Essay ExampleThe lack of traditional Chinese form in any specific vicinity and the ability of architects to reform Chinas urban landscape using experimental designs are attractive to architects (Moller 2004 p 1). Chinas architectural designs since the 1950s have been built heavily from Western influences, and almost of the urbanised architecture from 1950 to 1970 was inherently designed and constructed by Russian builders (Moller 2004 p 1). Chinas spending on construction ranks only behind the United States and Japans and is growing the winged of the top ten spenders, at 8-9 percent annually. Remarkably, given Chinas cultural pride, most of the highest-profile projects now underway in Beijing were designed by foreign celebrities (Economist ed 2004 p 63).The influx of foreign architects in Beijing has incited controversy amongst Chinese nationals. Zhou Ganzhi, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, says, No separate country has opened its architectural design market to the world as wide as China. The put on of pan-internationalism threatens the distinctiveness of Chinese cities, making architectural military rank difficult (Hong 2005 p 15).The general consensus amongst critics of ... Is the Distinctiveness of China ThreatenedThe influx of foreign architects in Beijing has incited controversy amongst Chinese nationals. Zhou Ganzhi, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, says, No other country has opened its architectural design market to the world as wide as China. The rise of pan-internationalism threatens the distinctiveness of Chinese cities, making architectural evaluation difficult (Hong 2005 p 15). The general consensus amongst critics of foreign and Western architecture in Beijing, China is that it removes the traditional and regional identity. Yung Ho Chang, architect, states that Chinese and Asian cities have a lack of clear traditi onal urban structures this introverted quality is at odds with a in advance(p) lifestyle and the openness demanded by a highly developed commercial society (Moller 2004 p 1). Chinas biggest cities are struggling to balance modern design with their historical structures (Mcguigan, Lin-lui and Mooney 2003 p56). Wu Chen, a traditional Chinese architect states Beijing has become an experimental site for foreign architects (Hong 2005 p 14). Beijing has changed beyond recognition, losing the traditional Chinese forms and incorporating more(prenominal) global influences and talents who have been drawn to China in the building effort of Beijing officials (Mcguigan, Lin-lui and Mooney 2003 p56).Review of Relevant LiteratureEach resource in this enquiry essay has been verified as either a foreign architect working in China, or a Chinese architect. For example, Xuefei Ren received a PhD at the University of Chicago and has published several texts on urban planning (Ren 2006 p 1) Web sites o f the actual architects (verified by name, address and