Shikumen is a type of housing unique to Shanghai. Its style is a blend of Chinese and Western elements. It was built in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century to house Chinese people in the Western quarters. Now, Shanghai's city government is trying to restore the neighborhood to its former glory.
This week, the cultural authorities of Luwan District of Shanghai launched a campaign for the Shikumen neighborhood. The month-long event is designed to raise the profile of the distinctive architecture among both local residents and tourists.
In recent years, an ambitious renovation project has unfolded in the Shikumen neighborhood. Modern amenities have been introduced to the dilapidated buildings, which also received a facelift.
At their peak, the Shikumen-style neighborhoods numbered more than 9,000 in Shanghai and took up 60 per cent of the city's total housing space. But the Shikumen style, which has survived for more than a century, is no longer suitable for modern urban living.
However, people have come to realize the historical and cultural significance of these distinctive buildings. Local authorities have been launched policies for the redevelopment of the buildings. More and more businesses have moved into the neighborhood in recent years.
(CCTV May 19, 2009)
