The fate of China's high-rise buildings is worryingLearn from the lessons of Europe and the United States to warn that the future may become a slum
Walking in China's big cities, looking up, you can see towering skyscrapers everywhere, they are a symbol of urban modernization and prosperity, and they are also the dream of countless people to pursue a better life.
But have you ever thought that in 20 years, these high-rise buildings will become slums and become the hardest hit areas of social problems?
This may seem strange, given our Xi use of associating slums with low-rise buildings and dilapidated shantytowns.
Tall buildings, on the other hand, are favored by middle- and high-income people, and are neither expensive nor of high quality.
However, in some cities in Europe and the United States, the transformation of high-rise buildings into slums is not groundless, but has deep historical and practical roots.
i.The rise and fall of high-rise buildings in Europe and the United States.
Europe and the United States were the first regions to start building high-rise housing. Back in the late 19th century, Chicago built the first 11-story building for an insurance company using masonry and frame structures.
With the advent of reinforced concrete, the strength and solidity of high-rise buildings have greatly improved, and high-rise buildings have begun to be built on a large scale.
Initially favored by the middle class and white-collar workers, these skyscrapers symbolized modernization and progress.
However, over time, due to urban planning mistakes, economic restructuring, and community mismanagement, among other reasons.
These skyscrapers have gradually become a gathering place for low-income people, which has created many social problems. In Europe and the United States, the rise and fall of skyscrapers can be divided into the following stages.
Phase I: The advent of skyscrapers (late 19th century to mid-20th century).
At this stage, skyscrapers are a product of urbanization and a sign of urban development, attracting a large number of middle-class and white-collar residents who enjoy convenient transportation, superior landscapes, and comfortable living.
Phase II: The Decline of Skyscrapers (Mid-to-Late 20th Century).
At this stage, high-rise housing is affected by a variety of factors, including economic crisis, suburbanization, social **, and criminal violence.
This has led to the decline in the quality of high-rise housing, the loss of residents, the deterioration of housing prices, and the deterioration of the neighborhood environment, and the gradual reduction of high-rise housing into slums and the center of social problems.
Phase III: The revival of skyscrapers (late 20th and early 21st centuries).
During this phase, the value of skyscrapers increases, and cities invest in them. Through renovations, refurbishments, and demolitions, skyscrapers have increased in quality and value, attracting a new group of residents, especially young and creative, and skyscrapers have regained their vitality and charm.
Phase 4: Diversification of high-rise housing (early 21st century to present).
At this stage, the development of high-rise residential buildings shows a trend of diversification, with different strategies and effects in different cities and regions.
Some skyscrapers have managed to come back to life and become luxury apartments or cultural and creative districts, while others continue to face decay and distress as slums or ruins.
2. The current situation and future of China's high-rise buildings.
In China, with the advancement of urbanization, the construction rate of high-rise residential buildings far exceeds that of European and American countries. In recent decades, the skylines of Chinese cities have changed dramatically.
China's skyscrapers are not only numerous, but also tall and innovative in design, becoming the city's landmarks and business cards.
China's high-rise buildings are not built to solve the housing problem of low-income people, but to meet the housing needs of middle- and high-income people.
In China, high-rise housing is often expensive and high-quality, and is a symbol of the pursuit of a better life.
But it is obviously too arbitrary to make a blanket judgment about the future of China's high-rise housing as a slum. China has invested heavily in urban planning and construction, with long-term planning and investment in urban infrastructure and public services.
At the same time, measures have been taken to regulate the real estate market to prevent overheating. Urbanization also focuses on the sustainable development of communities and the quality of life of residents.
Strengthening public services, public safety, and environmental protection while building high-rise buildings is conducive to improving the quality of life and preventing urbanization.
However, with the deepening of urbanization, problems such as population density, resource constraints and environmental degradation may become hidden dangers in high-rise residential development.
Therefore, China's urban planners and managers need to learn from international experience and take effective measures to ensure the health and sustainable development of residential buildings in light of the current situation.
Adhere to scientific and reasonable urban planning, avoid blindly pursuing the number and height of high-rise buildings, but consider the function and benefits of high-rise buildings, as well as the coordination and adaptability with the surrounding environment.
Strengthen the quality control and safety management of high-rise residences, standardize building materials and construction processes, and regularly inspect and maintain the structure and equipment of high-rise residences.
Increase greening and energy-saving measures for residential buildings, improve the ecological efficiency and comfort of residential buildings, reduce the negative impact of residential buildings on the urban environment, and create a better living environment.
Promote the social diversity and cultural vitality of high-rise housing, encourage people of different incomes, ages, occupations and interests to live in high-rise housing, form a diverse community culture and lifestyle, and enhance the attractiveness and vitality of high-rise housing.
Conclusion. In conclusion, the development of high-rise residential buildings is not a one-way street, but is affected and restricted by a variety of factors, with different possibilities and potentials.
The rise and fall of skyscrapers in Europe and the United States has given us some inspiration and warnings, but this does not mean that China's skyscrapers will inevitably repeat the mistakes of the past and become slums.
On the contrary, China's high-rise residential buildings have their own characteristics and advantages, as long as scientific planning, reasonable construction, effective management, and continuous improvement, high-rise residential buildings can become the city's bright spot and hope for the future.
Dear readers, what are your thoughts and suggestions for high-rise residences?Feel free to leave a message in the comment area.