‘Acupuncture therapy’ saves Shenzhen’s district from demolition

Preserving a treasure trove of heritage and culture

‘Acupuncture therapy’ saves Shenzhen’s district from demolition

Preserving a treasure trove of heritage and culture

  • 1 / 2

    Ancient Rejuvenation in China

    The long-hidden heritage is revived to enhance the interactions of the locals.

  • 2 / 2

    Ancient Rejuvenation in China

    The intervention of the previously polluted river is central to the project. The river now flows on two levels: The polluted water flows in the lower level, in a sewer canal, and the water purified at a nearby sewage treatment plant flows in a separate upper level, which can be followed along a boardwalk that features seating areas and views of the new water gardens.

To preserve the cultural heritage of the largest surviving historical district in Shenzhen (China), ARCity Office has drawn on a model of ‘acupuncture therapy’ to rejuvenate a 70-kilometre stretch along the Longjin River. The rejuvenation of Shajing Ancient Fair by ARCity as urban acupuncture won a Holcim Awards Silver for Asia Pacific in 2020 - and illustrates the sustainable method of restoring local built, social, and economic assets.

Last updated: October 12, 2023 Shenzhen, China

By Kruti Choksi Kothari, Ecogradia

Historic neighborhoods are treasure troves of heritage and culture. The expeditious modernisation in Shenzhen gives rise to the abandonment of historic neighborhoods. Shajing Ancient Fair, the largest existing ancient district in Shenzhen, China, was in a similar state of decay.

The usual practice proposes demolition of the old buildings to give way to the contemporary skyscrapers. Demolition not only destroys vernacular architecture but also obliterates folk art and cultural heritage. A more sustainable approach is the restoration of the existing settlement. In 2019, the local government commissioned architects Yuxing Zhang and Jing Han of ARCity to explore a model of urban renewal and urban value regeneration.

Ancient Rejuvenation in China

“If not necessary, don't add entities”, this rejuvenation project is similar to “acupuncture therapy”. The most critical meridians and acupoints were selected and then intervened slightly to avoid the stratification of the regional social structure and spatial texture. Through redesigning the Longjin River, architects organically connected public and private spaces around and stimulated the vitality of the surrounding by curating public art exhibitions and organizing cultural heritage activities.

Shajing Ancient Fair is a vast settlement including a thousand-year-old Southern Song architectural site, Longjin Stone Pagoda, hundreds of old houses, ancestral halls, and ancient wells flanking the banks of River Longjin. Restoration of the entire area can prove to be extravagant. The architects rationally came up with the method of urban acupuncture making it pertinent to the new scheme of development.

They selected the most critical sites and intervened slightly to avoid the fracture of the social structure and spatial texture. The six groups of renovation are – Landscape of Longjin River Bank, Longjin Water Pavilion, Public Stage, Ruin Garden, House of Gable Wall, and Old House Image Gallery.

Ancient Rejuvenation in China

The heritage of villages should be used to generate new spatial and social values. Jing Han Project Architect

The weathering heritage structures have a beauty of their own. The architects designed interesting sky bridges, pavilions, and resting platforms to view these spatial artworks formed by time and force of nature. This gesture changes the perspective. It allows appreciation of everyday heritage. The overall design aimed to bring ancient ruins back to life, revitalise the local culture and increase employment opportunities.

Rejuvenation of an ancient river

With the modernisation of Shenzhen, River Longjin was gradually filled, narrowed, and polluted. Once essential for trade and transportation, this river had turned into a two-meter-wide odorous gutter by 2019. Central to the project was the sustainable intervention to rejuvenate this ancient river. ARCity Office followed a low-cost rain and sewage diversion strategy to divide the channel into two layers.

In case you missed ...