Hangzhou. Contemporary Challenges of a former Capital of Imperial China

Abstract

This book collects writings on the urban history of Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province, and writings on comparative and cross-cultural issues related to China and the western architectural culture. Hangzhou is a significant example for scholars interested in studying the challenges that contemporary Chinese cities with a relevant urban history should face up to recover their traditional urban identity. Especially when monuments and urban textures have been widely compromised or destroyed by the recent urban development as it happened in the last three decades in China. So that, what remains as a tangible witness of the old urban past is more related to the collective memory (traditions and old sayings) than to real tangible relics. With a present metropolitan population of about 6 million inhabitants, Hangzhou, an ancient Capital of Imperial China during Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), is still today one of the most important historic ‘water cities’ in the world, especially the West Lake area, a national and international touristic attraction.