The rapid socio-economic development in China has given rise to the problem of housing obsolescence. The reduction of housing obsolescence and the increase in housing service life are important from the perspective of sustainable development. In extant literature, flexibility has been introduced as an important method to reduce housing obsolescence. However, no empirical evidence exists to illustrate the effects of flexibility on reducing housing obsolescence. Therefore, by correlating knowledge on flexibility and housing obsolescence, this study attempts to explore the effects of flexibility on reducing urban housing obsolescence with special focus on Chinese flexible housing practices during the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The research question which this study attempts to address is whether housing obsolescence can be obviously reduced by flexibility in Chinese flexible housing practices during the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. First, the theoretical framework of this research explains Chinese flexible approaches within the context of Chinese housing development since 1949. Second, it explores the mechanism of obsolescence in flexible housing practices during the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The internal and external threat of housing obsolescence is discussed. A cross-national comparison is also made to understand the context of these practices. Third, theoretical framework suggests two scenarios and three theoretical propositions, and it specifies three key factors for analyzing the effects of flexibility on the reduction of housing obsolescence: changeability, housing obsolescence, and changing behavior by dwellers. Finally, it establishes a methodology for empirical investigation. Six Chinese neighborhoods built during the mid-1980s to the early 1990s which contain both flexible houses and similar ordinary houses are selected as cases according to screening criteria. Data are obtained by survey among households, interviews, analysis of archival records, and on-site observation. The main unit of analysis is a type of flat. The data analysis revolves around the three propositions put forward. The results of the empirical study indicate that the six cases do not agree with the three propositions. First, only a small number of households use the pre-set changeability in flexible flats. Second, flexible flats do not have a much lower score in housing obsolescence than similar ordinary flats. Third, the score on housing obsolescence for households who use changeability is not obviously lower than that for households who do not. These findings are discussed within the theoretical framework. In general, this research does not support the notion that flexibility in the flexible housing can reduce housing obsolescence obviously in the given context. / published_or_final_version / Architecture / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

"Li" means neighborhoods, "Long" means lanes. These two words combine to describe an urban housing form which characterizes the city of Shanghai. Indissociable from the growth of Shanghai from 1840s to 1949, lilong settlements still comprise the majority of housing stock in the city center today. Inherited traditional dwelling patterns prevailing in the southeast China, profound transformation due to drastic social changes during that era produced lilong housing. Though, these transformation were demonstrated by the evolution of lilong's house forms, the settlement's general organization pattern persisted. / Lilong settlement, as a low-rise, ground-related housing pattern, has many advantageous features: hierarchical spatial organization network, separation of public and private zones, high degree of safety control, strong sense of neighborly interaction and social cohesiveness, and so on. These factors make the lilong neighborhoods a pleasant place to live and hence they are loved by local populace. / This thesis traces the evolution of lilong settlement forms in response to social transformation, and analyzes its indigenous design features and urban characteristics. As an ultimate goal, this thesis also explores the key characteristics of this settlement pattern, and the valuable experience that could be drawn as reference in contemporary housing design.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Master / Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Design and Management

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Philosophy

In Qing Dynasty, Chang’s family was one of the most famous merchants of the Shanxi ancient business. Chang’s Manor, which has a history of more than 200 years, stays as the most awarded civil building assembly among all the Shanxi compounds by its elaborate sculptures, wooden decorated archways, brick sculpted walls and many other art forms. Since 2001, Chang’s Manor has been commercialized for tourism purpose. Many “interesting stories” have been made up while lots of facts which are the real “people’s history” were left out and may be lost forever. This is also a common problem within many heritages which have been transformed into tourist attractions in China. And this arouses my research interests. In this dissertation, I would like to seek and tell the “true stories” from 1949 to 2001 in accordance with my conversation with the original habitants who have had real life experience of the original places. Surely, I will identify the real social value of Chang’s Manor through the interpretation of the true stories from local people. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

published_or_final_version / abstract / Architecture / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Fung Sin Ki. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2004-2005, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / FOREWORD / Appendix --- p.A001 / INTRODUCTION / Preface --- p.0001 / Thesis Brief --- p.0002 / Objectives --- p.0004 / Methodology --- p.0005 / RESEARCH / Literature Studies --- p.0006 / Case Study --- p.0010 / Hong Kong Cases --- p.0019 / Architectural Element Study --- p.0024 / Dimensions --- p.0033 / EXPERIMENT / Conceptual DesignOl --- p.0035 / Conceptual Design02 --- p.0041 / FINAL DESIGN / Prefabrication System --- p.0043 / Prefabrication Components --- p.0044 / Construction Sequence --- p.0058 / Unit Variations --- p.0065 / Floor Plan --- p.0113 / Section/Facade --- p.0116 / Elevation --- p.0117 / Site --- p.0118 / Perspectives --- p.0119 / Site Model --- p.0124 / Model --- p.0127 / APPENDIX / Bibliography --- p.B001

Leung Lok Yiu. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2005-2006, design report." / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 101). / Chapter A. --- Introduction --- p.4 / Chapter A1. --- Abstract --- p.4 / Chapter A2. --- Thesis Statement --- p.5 / Chapter A3. --- Foreword --- p.6 / Chapter B. --- Research - Movement + Urban Housing --- p.7 / Chapter B1. --- History and Theory - --- p.7 / Concept of Layering Movemnts --- p.7 / Idea of Overlapping and Networking --- p.10 / Idea of Vertical Environment --- p.12 / Preliminary Idea from Theory --- p.14 / Chapter B2. --- Study of Building with Intensive Movement - --- p.15 / Sai Wan Estate --- p.15 / Langham Place --- p.22 / Chapter B3. --- Issues of Movement - --- p.26 / Pattern of Movement --- p.27 / "Programme, Space and Envelope of Movement" --- p.31 / Means of Movement --- p.35 / Chapter B4. --- Programme Study --- p.38 / Chapter C. --- Design - Movement Lattice Housing --- p.41 / Chapter C1. --- Design Objectives --- p.41 / Chapter C2. --- Design Concept --- p.43 / Chapter C3. --- Site Selection --- p.44 / Chapter C4. --- Site Analysis --- p.48 / Chapter C5. --- Preliminary Design --- p.53 / Chapter C6. --- Final Design --- p.60 / Site Strategy --- p.60 / Diagrams --- p.62 / Perspectives --- p.66 / Plans --- p.68 / Residential Units --- p.91 / Section --- p.92 / Elevation --- p.93 / Models --- p.94 / Chapter D. --- Reference - Precedents --- p.98 / Chapter E. --- Bibliography --- p.101

Chui Wai Leung Ivan. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 1996-97, design report." / Includes bibliographical references. / Chapter 0.0 --- INTRODUCATION / Chapter 0.1 --- Personal Design Objectives / Chapter 0.2 --- Project Selection / Chapter 0.2.1 --- Description of Subject / Chapter 0.2.2 --- Description of Clients and Users / Chapter 0.2.3 --- Description of Site and Context / Chapter 1.0 --- PROJECT ANALYSIS / Chapter 1.1 --- Subject Analysis / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Brief formation / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Precedents / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Forms and typologies / Chapter 1.2 --- Client / User Analysis / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Functional relationships / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Social pattern and activities / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Schedule of accommodation / Chapter 1.3 --- Site/ Context Analysis / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Location / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Ground conditions / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Access / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Zoning and codes / Chapter 2.0 --- PROCESS / Chapter 3.0 --- CURRENT PROJECT / Chapter 4.0 --- APPENDIX / Chapter 4.1 --- Programming Report