MSc (Urban Development & Design), University of New South Wales, Australia BSc (Environmental Art & Design), Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, China
PhD Thesis Title:
Abandoned Industrial Space in Chongqing, China: Significance, Meaning and Management
PhD Research Summary:
The loss of a sense of place is a problem faced by many modern urban centres. Meanwhile, the global wave of de-industrialisation has left many vacant industrial buildings, facilities and areas in urban centres. Whether it is the legacy of industrial sites from the industrial era or the emotional connection of the inhabitants to them, it can lead to a strong identity and a strong sense of place. China is still the chief manufacturing centre of the word, several cities are anyway experiencing a transition to a post-industrial economy. However, there is currently no clear code of practice for the transformation of abandoned industrial spaces in China, resulting in some of these spaces being under-appreciated and possibly damaged. The aim is to redevelop a framework for industrial derelict spaces in Chongqing, China, specifically examining these derelict spaces as a fundamental for the city, in terms of its development, its heritage, and its identity.