KIU4 [Bridge]
In contemporary China, millions of peasants migrate from rural areas to urban area. These migrant workers, who forsake their native lands and families, find themselves in a vulnerable position within cities. Their integration into urban social society and access to public welfare systems pose significant challenges. In cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou, where they earn modest salaries, these workers are often limited to residing in factory dormitories or renting dilapidated houses in the city, known as 'urban villages.'
The term 'Kiu4' is the Cantonese pronunciation for 'bridge.' This conceptualises a connection between the rooftops of urban villages while preserving the original ecosystem. This bold and somewhat ironic assumption serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent presence of a less glamorous 'city scar' amid the towering skyscrapers.
As of 2016, the total number of migrant workers in China surpassed 280 million, with over 169 million leaving their hometowns to seek employment elsewhere.
With soaring housing prices in Chinese cities, the demand for informal housing in urban villages is on the rise each year. By 2020, an estimated 277.616 million people are expected to be in need of housing. However, China's fiscal deficit is steadily increasing, diverted to stability maintenance industries, resulting in a shortage of funds for demolitions. This predicament implies that the remaining urban villages may persist and evolve into the last refuge for rural migrant workers.
Design Challenge: Double Duality
China's household registration system (Hukou) has indirectly resulted in significant discrimination within the country. Urban Hukou holders often harbor disdain for those with Rural Hukou. Migrant workers, who relocate from rural hometowns to the central areas of large cities, find themselves at the intersection of two layers of disadvantage. Despite sharing a Rural Hukou with urban village residents, they exist at the nadir of this dual disparity, with their lives far from assured.
From the ground to the rooftop, starting from the analysis of the industry of urban villages, it is found that the complex service industries are mostly concentrated at the bottom layer of the spatial structure, which conflicts with the electric vehicles and logistics business, and there is a lack of public space. Therefore, it is decided to rearrange the spatial distribution of these industries, and move service industries except the takeout industry and storage industry to the top of urban villages. Therefore, an overpass system that communicates each roof becomes the key point of the scheme.
Ethnography
The Community on the Rooftop / It is planned according to the pedestrian flow and electric vehicle flow, as well as the main zoning of urban villages, which is composed of main bridges and capillary bridges inside the community. The main bridges connect the main entrance, run through the whole urban village, and mainly connect the external business and catering area. Capillary bridges connect each residential area and become a new way for tenants to enter the residence.
The Alu-Frame System / The bridge system will be mainly composed of aluminium frame system, mainly used for bridges, public area buildings, etc. Unified modules (2m*2m) will be adopted, some of which will be supported by cross-shaped columns, and some will be directly supported by existing houses. The advantage of aluminum bracket module is that it is light in weight and will not cause too much weight burden on existing houses. It is flexible to install and has strong expansibility.
How to establish a connection between the X frame and the cross column? My choice was to employ generative design. While I had previously experimented with generative design in the context of a coffee machine, it's important to note that generative design doesn't necessarily entail high costs or 3D printing exclusively. In fact, it is well-suited for both mass production and 2D cutting. The connection structure, in this case, is comprised of four pieces of 2D-cut aluminum alloy components. Remarkably, this design can withstand a weight of 8 tons with a safety factor of 2. Not only does it demonstrate the versatility of generative design, but it also proves to be efficient in mass production by saving materials and reducing overall weight.
Reception / The reception is the first step for tenants. It has the machines and screens for renting information and job search just like at the airport. It is also equipped with a service counter to standardise renting information.
‘Dirty Food’ Express / Dirty and cheap food kitchens just for delivery are arranged on the ground floor. Since there is no pedestrian infection, e-bike will become unimpeded, and food can be transported to the vending machine on the bridge through the elevator for sale. (Original by Tom Schrader)
Market / The market consists of two levels. The shops are built by modules of the x-frame system, which are very flexible and lightweight. They store goods on the upper floor and sell on the lower floor. Express channels are available for picking up by pre-order. The under the level of the market are for the hair salons and massage shops, as well as some gray industries.
Public Kitchen / Public kitchens provide tenants with independent cooking areas instead of ‘Big-batch rice’ because the narrow rental houses are difficult to cook well and safe.
Public Study Room / The public learning space is designed for children living in urban villages. The important things to them air-conditioning and comfortable desks for homework.
The concept of the 'Bridge' seeks to find a middle ground between removal and preservation. Despite the utopian vision embedded with a touch of irony in my design, the challenges faced by urban villages demand our attention. Issues such as dirtiness, dampness, and disorder cannot be instantly resolved. Gray areas, including activities like sex deals and clandestine takeouts, serve a purpose in the city, even as the towering skyscrapers in China captivate our attention.
In grappling with numerous contradictions, the government often adopts a blanket approach. Yet, within the urban village lies a delicate ecosystem. Expelling or targeting specific groups risks undermining the entire city's functionality. What we truly need is greater compromise. Each industry within the urban village plays a vital role, and the 'Bridge' seeks collaboration with all sectors to ensure residents find their place. However, as long as rural-urban dualism persists, the fundamental issue remains unsolved, and a community without 'freedom of movement' will perpetually be a 'utopia'
