Modernization Of Urban Space And Architecture In Xiamen (1840～1949)

The special social background and context pushed forward the modernization of urban space and architecture in Xiamen. Xiamen was a traditional old city before its opening to the West in 1843. During the period of 1843 to the end of the 19th century, modern construction first began at the British Settlement and the Kulangsu Island where foreign settlers chose to be their place of residence. The process was accelerated in the early part of the 20th century. Modern construction went on at the Kulangsu International Settlement. On the Xiamen Island, the old city changed into a modern city after its great reconstruction. An increasing number of western architecture in Xiamen showed some influence of regional architectural styles. Meanwhile, radical development of local architecture exhibited a combination of west and traditional architecture styles in rich formations. By 1937, the process ended due to the outbreak of war.This dissertation exploded the modernization of urban space and architecture in Xiamen in different time periods through the analysis of impacting factors. An in-depth study of each time period examined the changes of social background, construction management system and policies, the development of urban space and the architecture.This dissertation draws the following conclusions:In modern time, Xiamen was an important port city for foreign trade and also a transit port of many Southeast Asian overseas Chinese. The British Settlement and the Kulangsu International Settlement were where western architecture was mainly diffused. The returned overseas Chinese resided in Xiamen with modern knowledge were motivated to make substantial investment in the city’s reconstruction projects. These serve as the main impacting factors that pushed forward the modernization of urban space and architecture in Xiamen in the context of its special social background.With the change of social background, the urban space in Xiamen was in need of update. This new trend called for the establishment of modern construction management organizations, as well as relevant policies and regulations, for renewing urban space. Though the modernization of urban space in Xiamen started in foreign settlements, the main area of focus was the reconstruction of the old city on the Xiamen Island.The modernization of architecture in Xiamen was a two-dimensional process. As western architecture brought by foreign settlers to Xiamen gradually incorporated characteristics of local architecture, on the other hand, the returned overseas Chinese and other rich Chinese made essential efforts in renewing and diversifying regional architecture. This process led to newly built buildings showing a special style of regional architecture with western architecture forms.