Self-Renew Project
Design a Macro Level Urban Transformation Model
for YONGTAI Urban Village in Guangzhou, CHINA
Author:
ZHANG WEIJUN
(Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, NTNU)
ZHUANG XINMIN (Possible partner working in different scale, cooperation for investigation part)
(Master Programme in Design for Sustainable Development, Faculty of Architecture and Planning,
Chalmers university of technology)
Abstract.
Urban-village renovation is the most important part of Guangzhou city renewal, but due to the
big-scale of investment and construction, its renovation is easily involving many stakeholders in
the economic and equity disputes. However, while we look into the exiting micro-economic
activities happened in this village - villagers earning money from house-letting business by
refurbishing their houses and adding floors, it is not so complicated and somehow has potential
for
sustainable transformation. Therefore, In this thesis, based on the context of Yongtai
Urban-village,
we try to integrate the knowledge we learned from sustainable development and explore a
micro-level transformation mode adapted to this existing economic activities, in order to give a
new thought, an alternative way for urban-village renovation. (Zhuang Xinmin, 2015)
Key words:
Urban transformation, urban villages, self renew model
1
SELF-RENEW PROJECT
DESIGN A MACRO LEVEL URBAN TRANSFORMATION MODEL
FOR YONGTAI URBAN VILLAGE IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA
About the author(s)

Education background
Bachelor‘s Degree of Architecture
Bachelor‘s Degree of Architectur
（Environment Design）
（Environment Design）(Aug2009 - Jun 2013)
Master Programme of Sustainable Urban
Transitions
Chalmers University of Technology
(Jun 2014 - Aug 2015)
Master Programme of Sustainable Urban
Transitions
NTNU
(Aug 2015 - now)

Course and design studios
Sustainable Development & the Design Professions
Design & Planning for Social Inclusion
Architectural Heritage Conservation & Transformation
Architectural Heritage & Urban Transformation
Chalmers University of Technology
(2 semesters, 1st Year of Master)
Theory and Methods
Rishikesh Urban Lab
Implications and Reflections
NTNU
(1st Semester, 2nd Year of Master)
Master Thesis
NTNU (2nd Semester, 2nd Year)
 Portfolio
(Master programme)
Urban Planning - A Green Connection - A New Urban-rural Hub Inbetween Angered C. & Storås
Urban Planning - Scenario Plan for Bab Al Faraj in Aleppo, Syria
Urban Planning - Time Machine - Conversation & Transformation of the Master Plan for Forsåker
(Bachelor programme)
Landscape Planning - Liuxiwan Agricultural Demonstration Park (Thesis)
Landscape Planning - Conghua Sanatorium for Soldiery and Their Families
Urban Design - Citizen Square
Urban Design - Linear Park Design, Remodeling historic values for New River Area
 Intention for tutor
The author is looking for a tutor who have experiences in developing countries or understand
well about the context of developing countries, especially the urban expansion and urban villages
problems.
MASTER THESIS PROPOSAL
ZHANG WEIJUN (Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions)
2
SELF-RENEW PROJECT
DESIGN A MACRO LEVEL URBAN TRANSFORMATION MODEL
FOR YONGTAI URBAN VILLAGE IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA
1. Context of the project
(Picture from Baidu Maps)
1.1 Background
1.1.1 National Context
 Rapid urban development and urban villages in China
After 1980s, the open and reform policy allocated in China, cities are going through rapid
urban expansion, especially in the coastal and plain area, where is good for building up
commercial and business base. “China’s urbanisation rate increased from 17.9% (1978) to 39.1%
(2002) over a period of 24 years. More than 200 million Chinese have moved from rural areas to
cities since the late 1970s. Another 250 or 300 million people are expected to follow in the
coming decades. By the end of 2012, China had a total urban population of 712 million that
accounts for 52.6% of the entire population.”1
With this high rate of urban expansion, the outskirt of the city, or the original rural area
slowly mix with urban area, becoming a part of the city center. From then on, urban villages are
generated in different spots of the city, being treated as ‘troublesome areas’.
 Political reasons(Governance Structure) and complicated land right make urban villages
problems more complicated.
 Because of cheap rent, urban villages become important migrants settlements in the big
cities.
1.1.2 City Context
 Basic situation of Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a the third biggest city of China, with over 15 million population, which is ranked
as 26th mega city in the world. The city is famous for business and cheap production base.
 Strategic development plan - build up a chain of materials - producing - packaging transport business base, for example, Nansha duty free port.
 The function of urban villages in Guangzhou - cheap rent housing of migrants (fitted in the
1
Yue Zhang (not stated), China: Informality in Urban Villages. LSE of London, retrived on 13rd Dec on World
Wide Web: https://lsecities.net/media/objects/articles/china-informality-in-urban-villages/en-gb/
MASTER THESIS PROPOSAL
ZHANG WEIJUN (Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions)
3
SELF-RENEW PROJECT
DESIGN A MACRO LEVEL URBAN TRANSFORMATION MODEL
FOR YONGTAI URBAN VILLAGE IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA


national context)
Current situation of urban villages and normal transformation mode (Case study)
City planning strategies and policy effects urban villages development
1.1.3 The site
The site is in the political boundary of Baiyun District, at the northern edge of Guangzhou city.
Here, the land policy is different from other part of the city. The land mainly belongs to villagers
themselves, while other parts of the city land owns by the government, which means that
citizens just have the property right.
Baiyun district is an old district mainly for agriculture production in the city for a several decades
after 1949. After 1980s, some new districts are developed. One new district next to Baiyun
district is called Tianhe District, which is the central business district (CBD) today. The concept of
CBD is controversial internationally or nationally, but it is admitted that in Guangzhou, CBD
means job opportunities, stairs towards medium and upper class lives. Therefore, for job hunting,
migrants from different parts of the country (especially area with less resources and chances)
come to Guangzhou to study or work.
Without social or economic capacity at the beginning, migrants have no other options but living
in lower rent housing. since the land is owned by the villagers in Baiyun district, they can build
architecture in their own ways. Without appropriate repairing and maintaining, the buildings
have various of problems. Meanwhile, without governance and proper planning codes, the
buildings are somehow dangerous or in bad construction conditions. Additionally, infrastructure
and safety are two big problems for the urban villages in Baiyun district. However, because of
geographical advantages, near CBD in Tianhe district, migrants would like to live here.
2. Purpose of the project
 Audience & the Author’s Role in the Project
The audiences of the project in its context are:
 Government
 planning authority in Guangzhou
 Stakeholders
 villagers, migrants from different parts of the countries
The audiences from NTNU are:
 Examiners
 Tutor
 Students who are interested in related topics
The role of the author is to:
 Archiving and integrating city policies for urban villages and strategic visions
 Investigate the site, understand the site in holistic perspective
 Gathering information from different participants/relative actors in the site
 Analysis data and give conclusion for the project to put forward solutions
 ‘The main goal of the project is to find a alternative way that could start the change from a
macro-level, and encourage its popularization that may help to integrate the whole pattern
MASTER THESIS PROPOSAL
ZHANG WEIJUN (Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions)
4
SELF-RENEW PROJECT
DESIGN A MACRO LEVEL URBAN TRANSFORMATION MODEL
FOR YONGTAI URBAN VILLAGE IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA
of Yongtai urban-village to achieve sustainable transformation. Based on this, we will try to
integrate what we learned to analyze and design flexible and feasible modes for villager ’ s
houses renovation in some typical locations within Yongtai Urban-village, in order to not
only improve the indoor living quality, but also provide more opportunities for public
activities in the outdoor environment.’（ZHUANG Xinmin, 2015）
3. Research Methodology - Process & Methods

Basic Process
Aims of the study and what can be expected as a conclusion
whether a report or a proposal
Scope of work and limitations
Research methodology
Primary research ( field work, interviews, etc)
Secondary research ( published work)
Classify categories for analysis - define parameters for study
Sorting out the research material what is relevant and what isn’t based on categories
Findings
Site Analysis
Results of analysis
Report
The process should not be a linear system. In every step, when finding out problems, the order
should be adjusted. And a evaluation and monitoring system should be develop to scope each
step of the process in case of lacking of information.

Methods
 Online information gathering - related researches, journals, records, references, etc
 Meeting with related actors
 Determine the potential actors and related interview skills:
A. Villagers, village representatives
B. Tenants
C. Investors, real state managers
D. Municipality
E. Professional and related researches
 Field notes to record details and important information
 Graph, sketches and tables digitalize information, for example, governance structure
 Tools like S.W.O.T , D.I.V.E and SEA assessment to evaluate different aspects (economy,
social and culture, environment)
 Survey research
4. Possible Limitations of the project

Urban villages in Guangzhou lack of archives of changes in urban expansion. Some of the
urban villages have been teared down and less people record the process. Thus, it is difficult
MASTER THESIS PROPOSAL
ZHANG WEIJUN (Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions)
5
SELF-RENEW PROJECT
DESIGN A MACRO LEVEL URBAN TRANSFORMATION MODEL
FOR YONGTAI URBAN VILLAGE IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA


to conclude the modes of changes of these urban villages.
Less published information or background research about the site. It is unknown whether
the planning authority has some data and is willing to share with the student project.
Unknown cooperation with local villages, including their attitude and willingness.
5. Plan the Report (Structure/Possible Contents)
Cover Page
Executive summary
List of Figures
List of Tables
Glossary
Table of Contents
Ⅰ
Ⅱ
Ⅲ
Ⅲ
Ⅳ
Ⅴ
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.1.1 Physical situation of the project
1.1.2 Governance structure, policy and land right
2. Purpose of the project
1.2.1 Context of the project
1.2.2 What to work with in the project
1.2.3 Objectives
3. Research Methodology
1.3.1 Schedule
1.3.2 Process and Methods
4. Project Development
2.1 Project Development Objectives
2.1.1 Project Beneficiaries
2.1.2 Project Indicators
2.2 Project Description
2.2.1 Project Components
5. Conclusions
5.1 Visions from the different actors
5.1 Visions from the author: to integrate initiatives
6. Recommendations/Design solutions
7. Reference List
8. Appendix
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(Extra contents)
MASTER THESIS PROPOSAL
ZHANG WEIJUN (Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions)
6
SELF-RENEW PROJECT
DESIGN A MACRO LEVEL URBAN TRANSFORMATION MODEL
FOR YONGTAI URBAN VILLAGE IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA
6. Schedule Plan
DEC Project plan (Changes)
week 49
Proposal & Meeting with the tutor and examiner
week 50
Proposal & Meeting with the tutor and examiner
week 51
Online information & Meeting with the tutor and examiner
week 52
Online information & Revise the outline
week 53
Contact stakeholders & interview relevant organizations or people
JAN Mater thesis semester
week 1
Contact stakeholders & interview relevant organizations or people
(summary)
week2
Site analysis (Final project plan & Registration form)
week3
Site analysis Start up meeting
week4
Site analysis
FEB Mater thesis semester
week 5
Site analysis
week 6
Site analysis (summary)
week 7
Design proposal (draft)
week 8
Design proposal (draft)
MAR Mater thesis semester
week9
Design proposal (draft)
week10
Design proposal (draft)
week11
Mid-term check
week12
Evaluation & revise
APR Produce the MT booklet
week 14
Design MT booklet
week 15
Design MT booklet
week 16
Design MT booklet
week 17
Design MT booklet
MAY Preparation for the open presentation & exhibition
week 18
Materials preparation for presentation & exhibition
week 19
Materials preparation for presentation & exhibition
week 20
Materials preparation for presentation & exhibition
week 21
Final seminar
JUN Open presentation & exhibition
week 22
Open presentation & exhibition
MASTER THESIS PROPOSAL
ZHANG WEIJUN (Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions)
7
SELF-RENEW PROJECT
DESIGN A MACRO LEVEL URBAN TRANSFORMATION MODEL
FOR YONGTAI URBAN VILLAGE IN GUANGZHOU, CHINA
7. Referencing List
1. Siqi Zheng, Fenjie Long, C. Cindy Fan, and Yizhen Gu (2008), Urban Villages in China: A 2008 Survey of Migrant
Settlements in Beijing, . Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: J610, O150, R210, R230.
2. Zhengdong Huang and Qingming Zhan (date not stated), Mapping of Urban Villages in China, School of Urban
Design, Wuhan University.
3. Pu Hao (2012), Spatial Evolution of Urban Villages in Shenzhen, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University.
4. Wang, D.(2007). Diagramming design research. Journal of interior design, 33(1), 33-43.
5. Fainstein, S., & Campbell, S. (1996). Readings in urban theory. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
6. Tan, X., Yuan Q., Lv B. (2012) Analysis of the Participation Mechanism of Villagers in Urban
Village Reconstruction: A Case Study of Liede Village in Guangzhou City. Tropical Geography.
32(6) : 618-625.
7. Author not stated (date not stated), Guangzhou urban renewal bureau, retrived on 14th Dec on the world wide
web：http://www.gzuro.gov.cn.
8. Landry, C. (2000). The creative city: a toolkit for urban innovators. London: Earthscan Publication.
MASTER THESIS PROPOSAL
ZHANG WEIJUN (Master in Sustainable Urban Transitions)
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