Mixed-use community in China: from the legacy of danwei compound to the modern sense

Abstract

With the main function of Chinese mega-cities transferring from production to service, planning strategy turning towards sustainable settlement construction and increasingly diverse housing needs of citizens, mixed-use community is gradually becoming the focus of academia and practice. It is the application of mixed-use theory in dwelling-based area and has achieved beneficial exploration. Its economic returns and social benefits are gradually recognized by the public, for instance, intensive land use, reduction of energy consumption, forming the sense of belonging, and so on. Actually, the paradigm of mixed-use community is not entirely western. In the past three decades before the Open Door Policy, Danwei compound has been the main form of Chinese citizens' residency. Though there are some limitations, it still has illuminations to organize the mixed-use living environment in modern sense. Based on the literature review and cases in mega-cities like Beijing, this study analyses its merits and shortcomings in the evolution process of Danwei community. The finding shows its enclosing level is decreasing with the growing mixing level of land use structure, and other developing trends are also concluded. Finally, this study tries to put forward a spatial pattern and development strategy of modern mixed-use community in China.