Hybrid Modernity The Public Park in Late 20th Century China

This book provides a detailed historical and design analysis of the development of parks and modern landscape architecture in late 20th century China. It questions whether the fusion of international influences with the local Chinese design vocabulary in late 20th century China has created a distinctive and novel approach to the design of public parks. Hybrid Modernity proposes a new theory for examining the design of public parks built in post-Mao China since the reforms and sets the various processes for China’s late 20th century socio-cultural context. Drawing on modernization theory, research on China’s modernity, local and global cultural trends, it illustrates through a range of case studies ways hybrid modernity defines a new design genre and language for the spatial forms of parks that emerged in China’s secondary cities. Featured case studies include the Living Water Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province, Zhongshan Shipyard Park in Guangdong Province, Jinji Lake Landscape Master Plan in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, and the West Lake Southern Scenic Area Master Plan in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. This book argues that these forms represent a new stage in China’s history of landscape architecture. The work reveals that as a new profession, landscape architecture has greatly contributed to China’s massive urban experiment. This book is an ideal read for students enrolled in landscape architecture, architecture, fine arts and urban planning programs who are engaged in learning the arts and international design education.

Table of Contents Preface List of Figures and Tables1Introducing Hybrid Modernity Post-Mao transformations: framing hybrid modernity China’s physical setting and settlement patternsBook scope and structure 2Navigating Modern(s) and the Park in modern ChinaModernization: social construction and nation-buildingModernity, Globalization and IdentityHybrid modernization: expanding modernization theory and alternative modernitiesRe-visiting Modernism (international) genreModernism in Architecture and Landscape ArchitectureModernity in China China’s early modernity and westernizationForced (Colonial) ModernityThe Public Park, Republican modernity (1912-1949) and nation-building Mao’s Modernity: 1949 – 1976Summarizing China’s modern experience 3Pre-Modern China: Nature, Cosmology, Mythology and the Chinese PicturesqueNature, Cosmology, Mythology and FolkloreBrief History of China’s designed landscapesInterpreting garden-making throughout pre-modern ChinaChinese Picturesque Garden Design Language 4Looking “Inside” and “Outside” post-Mao ChinaA Glance back at the Arts and Culture in the Mao eraInside Post-Mao China Post-Mao art trendsTrends in post-Mao China’s Built EnvironmentPost-Mao Landscape Architecture: foundations of professional practice and educationLandscape Architecture “Outside” post-Mao China 5Revealing late 20th century Hybrid Modernity: four purpose-built parksCase Study One: Living Water Park, Huoshui Gongyuan, Chengdu, Sichuan Chengdu contextProject inceptionDesign RealizationHybrid Modern synthesis Case Study Two: Zhongshan Shipyard Park, Zhongshan Shiqi Jiang Gongyuan, Zhongshan, GuangdongZhongshan contextProject InceptionDesign realizationHybrid Modern synthesis Case Study Three: Jinji Lake Landscape Master Plan, Jinji Hu Jingguan Zongti Guihua Suzhou, Jiangsu Suzhou contextProject InceptionProject realizationHybrid Modern synthesis Case Study Four: West Lake Southern Scenic Area Master Plan, Xihu Huanhu Nanxian Jingqu Zongti, Hangzhou, ZhejiangWest Lake, Hangzhou contextProject InceptionProject RealizationSSA Experience Hybrid Modern synthesisFour public parks – the schema for post-Mao China’s hybrid modernity 6Transforming from ‘Hybrid’ to ‘Ecological’ Modernization in China’s 21st centuryFour case study parks and trends in the host citiesTop-Down China + Five-Year-Plan = Green Revolution and Ecological ModernizationChina’s Sponge City program and contribution to international “green” urbanism Revolutionary Praxis, Trends and Beautiful China Index

Mary G. Padua, PhD, RLA, is an internationally recognized educator, thought leader, contemporary theorist and artist. Her research focuses on socio-cultural phenomena, human-centered design and the meaning of public space. She is one of the first English language writers on post-Mao designed landscapes and the discipline of landscape architecture as contributing agents to China’s late 20th century urban experiment. She maintains MGP Studio, a critically minded practice rooted in craft, equity, inclusion and restorative experiences, and teaches at Clemson University’s School of Architecture.