THEIR FORTRESS

THEIR FORTRESS: The regeneration of migrant laneways from both social and spatial perspectives

Yao, Xinqi (TU Delft Architecture and the Built Environment; TU Delft Urbanism)

Bracken, G. (mentor)
Muñoz Sanz, V. (mentor)
van Dooren, E.J.G.C. (graduation committee)

Delft University of Technology

Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences | Complex Cities

2022-06-16

The main object of this study is the migrant laneway, which refers to the old community in the city center that attracts migrant workers because of its low rent and good location. This kind of community in urgent need of renewal contains three aspects: spatial, social and the process of renewal. This study regards these three aspects as the main line running through the whole research, and studies the current space situation, residents' life and the problems in the existing renewal process of migrant laneways.

Pattern language is the main analysis method and design tool of this research. By sorting out the patterns in the migrant laneway, these messy spaces are standardized. In addition, pattern language can be used to increase public engagement. This study introduces a new co-design toolkit: pattern buffet. This toolkit helps residents and designers co-design their communities. Work efficiency and program feasibility can be increased while public engagement is being added. More importantly, the result of this design with public engagement is more sustainable and inclusive.

At the social level, this study also proposes a soft strategy to help migrant workers better integrate into the city. The authors reskill these residents towards the opportunities found in a social trend: the senior care industry. While vacancies in the industry are being filled, migrant workers can get longer careers and higher wages to integrate into the city.

Therefore, this thesis develops an approach which enables the urban dilapidated areas to be regenerated in a co-design way. This regeneration framework is very new in the Chinese context. Pattern language, as the most important tool in this study, has been examined for its role and function. However, due to the epidemic, the pattern buffet part lacks practical operation, so the author cannot get feedback from the actual situation, which is also an aspect that this thesis can be further expanded.

migrant laneway
urban regeneration
public engagement
pattern language
reskilling strategy

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c76aba35-60a2-40b4-8ca8-15c561c8efae

Student theses

master thesis

© 2022 Xinqi Yao