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Diversity, Vibrancy, Opportunity: social, economic, & otherwise

True, you wouldn’t consider it racially diverse: probably 99% Chinese (we'll leave out the discussion about ethnic minorities, migrant workers, & regional differences in China for now), as it was a local, not an expat area. However, the socioeconomic diversity/density was on a whole 'nother level.

Within a few blocks from where I lived, there were slum areas, student dorms, and luxury high rises; commercial office buildings, shopping malls, and open air markets; internet cafes, mahjong parlors, and parks with sports fields & outdoor exercise equipment. You could get food cooked off the back of a bike for a few cents or splurge hundreds of dollars (USD) on a fancy 5-star restaurant dinner. Similar situation for groceries (browsing food literally on the sidewalks vs. in underground subway station organic supermarkets), goods (top-of-the line brands or shanzai/imitations sometimes customized/made on the spot), transportation (chauffeurs, taxis, subway/bus stations, biking in dedicated lanes with bike repairers available at street corners, walking while avoiding getting run over by everything else), etc.

One can be appalled at the economic disparity that's immediately apparent. However, the fact that so many different kinds of people were living & interacting in the same bustling area also created amazing opportunities, socially, economically, & otherwise. Much more vibrant than "high-end developments" I've come across around the world where the wealthy live, work, & play; with hired help commuting in long distances each day from from poorer communities; and which become devoid of much life/character at certain hours.

Unfortunately, when I revisited this district more recently, government mandated relocation/demolition and continued development of high-end properties had eliminated many of the affordable housing options here, including right up to the very place I had lived myself.

Image Attributions: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mywayaround/3066377785/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/sterneck/5989689011/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/sterneck/5989450997/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/grabenstein/4018883143/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/grabenstein/4018883143/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/grabenstein/4019635994/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/grabenstein/4018845559/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/pc_insh/3355933744/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwanus/1133049721/ , http://www.flickr.com/photos/wordridden/6191752598/ (Note: these pictures from Shanghai are illustrative of what was in the district where I lived, not actual photos taken there.)

Comments

Katsuyoshi Ueno

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November 29, 2011, 03:13PM

Very interesting insight. In my country authorities think "revitalization = redevelopment". They demolish old neighborhoods, replace them with beautiful high-rise buildings and believe it will solve all problems.

Your inspiration reminds me of this issue:
"Japan: Debating the fate of Shimokitazawa"
http://globalvoicesonline.org/2009/11/04/japan-debating-the-fate-of-shimokitazawa/

Thanks for sharing your inspiration!

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Vincent Cheng's reply to Katsuyoshi Ueno's comment

Vincent Cheng

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November 29, 2011, 05:53PM

Thanks Katsuyoshi! In regards to your comments on the situation in Japan, was wondering if you could tell me a little more about its root causes.

Specifically, I found it interesting that it seems in Japan, houses are seen as a depreciating consumable asset (like a car) rather than an appreciating investment per se and are often torn down & rebuilt after every 20-30 years, which directly affects resale prices & housing taxes.

Is this because of traditional building material/techniques, cultural preferences for new houses, government support of the construction industry, all of this, or something else?

On the one hand, it seems that this ensures housing bubbles are avoided. On the other hand, there are certainly negative environmental & community sustainability effects.

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Katsuyoshi Ueno's reply to Katsuyoshi Ueno's comment

Katsuyoshi Ueno

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December 01, 2011, 09:28AM

Thanks Vincent!

In Japan there are few advantages to preserving an old house, mainly because of tax and property value.

Many people give up inheriting their parent's house and property, because Japan's inheritance tax is very expensive. A large traditional house is replaced by three small ones with no garden--it is very common here.

In addition, on property value, any building older than 10 years is categorized as "old". Banks still don't adequately evaluate renovation, so people prefer to buy a new-built apartment or house and sell it in 5-10 years.

I cannot say renovation is popular here, but it has slowly become a new trend, especially after the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_asset_price_bubble

Japanese (or local) government and major land developers have played a large role as well, like in the case of Roppongi Hills.

The Builder Who Pushes Tokyo Into the Clouds:
http://biz.yahoo.com/nytimes/080327/1194759715966.html?.v=16

I live in a very old (according to Japanese definition) apartment building which was built more than 40 years ago. Maintenance is sometimes necessary, but there have been no problems!

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Vincent Cheng's reply to Katsuyoshi Ueno's comment

Vincent Cheng

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December 01, 2011, 09:58AM

Wow, appreciate the detailed response Katsuyoshi. I'm learning a lot from you!

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Meena Kadri

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November 21, 2011, 07:06AM

Great personal insights, Vincent... I personally find it hard to imagine vibrancy without diversity.

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Arjan Tupan

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November 21, 2011, 06:44AM

Vincent, I think you raise a good point. Socioeconomic diversity can be very valuable for vibrancy in a neighbourhood. Amanda also raised a similar point here: http://www.openideo.com/open/vibrant-cities/inspiration/do-poverty-and-revitalization-work-together/

For me, mixed neighbourhoods give the best opportunity, and are often more vibrant.
Thanks for sharing this personal experience insight!

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