1800What? Beijing Windows

Situated in the north of Tongzhou new city, about 25 kilometres east of Tian’anmen Square, Songzhuang is the place where many artists have been settling since more than a decade ago. Nowadays, Songzhuang has become a very flourishing art community, and more than 800 artists live in Songzhuang and surrounding villages.

According to the plan of local Songzhuang goveronment, the planned area of Songzhuang Culture Creation Industrial Park is 5 square kilometers. By the year of 2010, it will be developed into a famous artist town of China and primarily build several creation industrial base. By the yare of 2020, it will be developed into the international culture creation industrial park and creation culture and tourism district with its own characteristics.

The protection and reconstruction of Hutong have been discussing for a long time. But it is always easier said than done. The reality is that more than 70% of Hutong lanes have disappered.  The hutong is considered one of the most important parts of Beijing’s cultural heritage, however we have witnessed these cultural values being sacrificed for short-term economic gain since the 1980s. Fortunately, it seems the goveronment and the main stream society have finally realized how precious the Hutongs are.