the urban dream survey for china

7/27/2019 The Urban Dream Survey for China

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dream survey

F G H I J


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YOU


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Democratic design 1.0 the loop model

Is the city yours, or mine, everybodys, or anybodys? If the city is more than a mere

byproduct of our urge to coalesce and to build, if we can inuence its form and evolve

beyond the generic, beyond pre-existing models, someonemaybe all of usshould

consider what it could ultimately be.

Performance: It is obvious there is a price to pay for urbanization at

hyper-speed. At every level of society bulldozers and sledge hammers

are clearing the way for the modern. From CBD to suburban slum,from factory to village we are surrounded by the ceaseless efforts of

contractors and their army1

of construction workers. They in turn are

fed libraries of drawings produced by over 100.000 designers, planners,

engineers, market consultants and architects2

who are hired by a growing

number of developers, coordinated by an array of design institutes

and kept in check by several government bodies and ministries. The

efficiency of Chinas urbanization industry is astonishing. To achieve

such efciency the architecture itself, the buildings we live in, the new

streets and shops, have inevitably adapted. It has made the Chinese cities

under construction today and nished tomorrow into slick cities; light

in concept and material, sophisticated in their ease to be drafted and

assembled. The price we pay is performance.

Its obvious the city cant ever be solved. Slickness may be fast toconstruct, but it comes with countless glitches. Its a national sport (as

in any country) to complain about the city: its too big, too polluted, too

dense, too expensive, too harsh, too congested; or its still too small, with

no work, no space, no green, no facilities, no community, no roads. What

to complain about is different for all of us. Car owners and construction

workers most likely have conicting ideas about what the city should be

like. The list of opposing needs and interests to address is endless. So

while the city cant be solved, the question remains: can it be steered?

1.0

1100000

2


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Choice: The absolute number of people involved in Chinas reconstruction

is staggering; the number of designers and decision makers is minimal.

So who decides whats good for you as a citizen? And do they know what

you want?

No longer do we live in rows and rows of indistinguishable blocks. On

offer today are all sorts of apartment towers and villas in different sizes

and colors. The market knows what it wants to build, and it decides

based on what sells. This is trial and error; as demand levels out and

competition stabilizes, the assortment on offer should broaden and the

city will evolve. And this is happeningsustainable housing is slowlymore en vogue, and tailor-made local projects are on the rise over copy-

paste solutions. Still, in reality the tens of thousands of residential

projects scattered across China follow very similar design principles.

The level of luxury may differ, but the way they function, their living

environment, and particularly the urban context they produce are all but

identical. Chinese cities are all becoming the same.

Urban development has progressed and acceleratedarguably beyond

the desired speed. The majority of buildings for 2020 have today been

realized. In order to produce better performing buildings and cities that

keep pace with the blossoming urban class the development process

itself will need to become more sophisticated. This involves a more

intense dialogue between the state, developers, designers and users; a

continuous loop of information will be necessary.

Developers: In this highly aggressive market, innovation is a dangerous

luxury eighty eight of the top one hundred of Chinese real estate

companies have been taken over3

since 1994. Understandably developers

have been walking a tight-rope, careful not to stray from the success

formula of previous projects. From a commercial standpoint, the real-

estate industry has indeed become so rened its hard to imagine there is

room for any new paradigms. A resilient misconception that innovation


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in design always means added costsnot only in direct costs, but in

more complicated architecturepervades. The developer knows these

sort of considerations will be beyond the carefully calculated budget

of new inhabitants. But there is of course innovation all around us. A

Beijing company has recently produced a panel system that allows an

entire house to be built in less than ve hours. This is an amazing novelty

that may further accelerate Chinas building boom. For the most part,

however, explorations on how we can live, and what the user might need

tomorrow, remain scarce.

Developers in China, with an unusually strong input from marketconsultants, try to map what people want and can afford. Unfortunately

simply listening to home-owners with surveys is not a profound basis

for innovation. And the improvements are restricted to the level of the

building or the (gated) community; the city as a whole, as a product of

thousands of connected real-estate projects, is not addressed.

Designer: If we believe Le Corbusier the harmonious city is just around

the corner, if only the visionary architect could have his way. Ironically

China has by and large been constructing a Le Corbusian landscape,

complete with repeating apartment towers, yovers and mega-projects,

but without involving many architects.

At this moment, at this speed in Chinas history the role of the designer

is still dismal. Based on output Harvard researchers have argued theefficiency of the Chinese architect is 500 times that of his American

counterpart4

; though on the rise, his role in the design and decision

making process should be reduced by a similar amount. The tug of war

over a proposal between architects and developers is a crucial game at

the heart of the development process that should crystallize the outcome

of any design. Both parties should meet as equals to interpret the needs

of the user, and struggling to explore the limits. In China however, the

designer as an interpreter of user needs simply does not yet exist.

2020

199410088 3


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Government: The city is a mediated space. Its density, the proximity of its

citizens to each other, the ease to interact, is the key to its success. This

proximity should be voluntary and produce equal opportunity for all

citizens to explore their lives. This proximity however is also undesired;

more space is more comfortable. To optimize the city as a mediated

space the input of the state is needed. Chinas anticipated urban mix cant

grow freely. Planning policies cant be both exible and restrictive enough

to let the city grow without spatial planning or design. The state should

balance the demands of individuals and companies against the common

good and envisage some form of coherency that captures the common

good. In this centrally planned economy an overarching vision should, atleast on paper, be able to be implemented more effectively than anywhere

else. Long-term regional planning should have an actual spatial impact,

beyond assigning economic and development zonesnotably on land

use efficiency. The large, generally successful state-owned developing

companies are a unique means to supplement an architectural landscape

solely produced by the marketnotably the introduction of small scale

projects. State-run projects are realized with higher quality and faster

than any other; they can and should push the entire industry towards

more strategic proposals and accepting slower or longer-term revenues.

User: That leaves you and me. As users of space, we really dont know

what we want. We simply choose from whats on offer; the house we can

afford, the neighborhood with a decent school, the city with a friendly

face. But you, the individual will have to start to participate if you wantanything more than whats on offer.

In China individuality is a young concept, but nothing less than an urban

renaissance has been sparked by you the individual and by the millions of

new citizens and first generation metropolitans. You are moving to the

cities and you are rebuilding your villages. You are driving the economy; you

are buying the cars, building the apartment towers, operating the conveyer

belts and buying the villas. That makes you the new leaders of China.

5

500 4


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Dynamic city: So what do you want? Slow cities, such as the capitals of

Scandinavia rank high on the world list of favorite cities to live in.

Evolving block by block, year by year they have been able to mediate the

different desires of their citizens over time. These cities resemble the

environments described in our survey, but they hardly present a feasible

option for Chinas burgeoning new centers, and copying the style of

their facades wont help much either. Another approach is hands-on user

participation of the kind we have tried in Europe in the early seventies.

This was truly democratic design, but it proved horrendously slow and

subsequently failed.

Construction in China will not slow down soon. The paper-thin features

typical of the new neighborhoods and development zones will not evolve

overnight. The next phase of Chinas modernization efforts requires

the refinement of the development process itself. An open dialogue

about the future of the city is needed that involves all parties: a loop of

information between policy makers, developers designers and, new to the

equation, citizens. The theme of the 2010 Shanghai Expo is appropriately

called: Better City, Better Life! For the one billion Chinese soon living in

cities the correlation between the quality of the urban environment and

the quality of their life will be evident.

This dialogue will undoubtedly slow things down. It will thicken the

process; give layers and layers of detail to slick cities. It will give control

to all those who partake in the city. Above all, operating as a single forcewe might gain control to steer the city in a distinct direction.

This direction must be distinct, but will always be unclear. What you, the

citizens will need or might want tomorrow is uncertain. The city must be

able to respond to this uncertainty. Proposals for a context as dynamic as

China must be able to grow and evolve after completionif only so as

not to impede their own development. The city must be able to adapt by

anticipating the reality of constant change, acknowledged at every level


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by all parties. This is the dynamic city; the result of a dynamic process,

based on research dialogue and foresight.

Neville Mars

2010

10

_____________________

1 .Total number of officially registered staff in construction companies in 2005 was 26.999.249 people. ~ China Statistical Yearbook (2006)

2 . In 2005 China had 30.400 officially registered architects. CSB 2006

3 . Institute of real estate studies, Tsinghua University (2006)

4 . Harvard Project on the City I, The Great Leap Forward, pp. 158-162

_____________________

1. 200526,999,249~2006

2. 200530,400~20063. 20064. I, p.158,160,162


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ME,WE!MuhammadAli,1987

,!

,1987


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Democratic Design 2.0: user-comments

In 2005 I went to a conference on the future of cities. The second

session was a kind of spot-the-difference diptych, presenting on the left

Roger Madelins development for Kings Cross, London, and on the right

Terry Farrells masterplan for Kowloon station, Hong Kong. Spotting the

difference wasnt so hard. When Farrell completed his designs in 1992

the entire site was underwater. By 1998 it was nished: 10 hectares of

landll, a major transportation hub, several thousand new homes, and a

business district complete with fancy hotels and showcase towers. Over

a similar period of time Madelin had just been stuck in planning ofces.Hed conducted surveys, disseminated plans, met with local groups,

talked to the council, plunged through money . He estimated that

by 2010 hed be US$160 million into the project and not so much as a

brick raised on site. As I write this, hes being taken to judicial review by

a group of disaffected residents. The difference between Terry Farrells

and Roger Madelins experience is, of course, consultation.

Traditionally consultation is something developers grudgingly accept ,

rather as the halter a mature democracy will oblige them to wear

around their necks. It slows things down, costs money, and can severely

impede delivery. Less consultation, therefore, facilitates quicker growth.

It can be argued that if this means the city is making more money, then

the inhabitants as a whole stand to benet. All you sacrice is the luxury

of giving an anti-change nosy minority the chance to whinny and stall.

In China its becoming an urban clich to have a group of agonized

foreign theorists standing on the sidelines wringing their hands (about

control, coordination, speed and harshness of change, etc.) while

undeterred and highly successful developments plough right past them.

The trouble is that within the Chinese context, the scale and pressure of

urbanization is completely mismatched to western notions of sensitive

development. In fact, the entire western rhetoric of preserving a sense

2.0

2005

RogerMadelinKingCross

TerryFarrell

1992Farrell

199810

Madelin

201016

TerryFarrellRoger

Madelin


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pages in this book because more content is yet to come. Its for you to

write. Scribble it down, waiting on the bus or stuck in trafc, or if you

have a bright idea looking over the city from your apartment; then upload

it to the survey: www.china-at-home.org

Cake-eaters delight - a rst review of www.china-at-home.org

The first thing to say about the data we have

so far is that it is by no means representative

of China (nor is it about to become so withcurrent levels of internet accessibility). The

majority of responses are from city-dwelling

university-educated under-35 year-olds. This

was not the objective. Instead we aim to

snatch a flyby image of the future

and the new Chinesepictures of

tomorrow glimpsed by racing

through the quarters of today.

Reading through responses we are struck by the cool condence China

has in the midst of massive change. There is a sense that China is on the

right trackthat there are problems and opportunities for improvement,

but these will be met and progress will continue. Peoples dreams of

2020 tend to express a positive outlook with strong valuesas onedreamer puts it: good environment, good order, citizens quality of life

improving. There is a hint that by 2020 people expect to be under less

pressure; that perhaps by then China will have caught up with the west

and development need no longer be so rapid nor so fervent (I expect

fresh air with European feelings; even Beijing will become the place

where the likes of David Beckham and Britney Spears will want to be

seen). But for now the course is forward. When asked specically if they

like the changes that are taking placechanges which are rocking minds

www.china-at-home.org

35

2020

:

2020

2020

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and economies across the worldmost people breathtakingly answer, We

like them so so.

On the other hand, questions about peoples personal

lives evoke much more passionate responses. Strong

shifts are visible in how people see their family

situation developing, with significant increases in

peoples aspirations for partners and children by 2020.

Parents fare less well: under half the people currently

living with their parents anticipate that this will still

be the case in the future, and one third go so far as torelegate their parents to another part of China.

The personal car makes a strong appearance. Even though 66% of

people rate the current trafc situation as bad or very bad, 73% expect

to own a car in 2020. 41% of those who now travel by non-car methods

hope soon to be driving, while those presently in cars insist they will keep

on using them. And while the implications of this massive shift toward

motorization are terrifyingly apparent at the macro level, they seem not

to be felt by individuals. Stunningly over half the pro-car respondents

think roads in China should either stay the same or get smaller. This at

the same time as believing journeys to work should take less than 30

minutes, and that the future of the environment is very important.

There is equally little sense of necessary payoff when it comes to spacefor all these cars. It has been estimated that if current car-purchasing

trends continue through to 2020, the area required just to park them

would consume 21% of Beij ing. And yet the same people who are

looking to buy cars are complaining of insufficient public and green

space in their cities.

Thi s view of the new Chinese as people who insi st they wil l both

have their cake and eat iti.e. reap benefits without having to suffer

66%

73%2020

41%

202021%

,

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consequencescarries all the way through the survey. It expresses

perhaps the massive sense of optimism people feel about improving

their own lives, while simultaneously rejecting the idea that any of this

will impact negatively on the general situation. Why would an individual

s dream damage the environment they so want to be clean and nice? Is

there an implicit contradiction here, or will the Chinese future be able to

deliver on every front?

In the case of the built form, the answer is perhaps yes, if you look at

it in the right way. The responses seem to express no sense of conict

between new build and oldbetween hutongs and skyscrapers, orhistorical and modern feel. There is no division among respondents to

suggest a camp of traditionalists, who are pro-hutong and anti-change,

or modernists who are pro-high-rise and pro-change. Those who

would like to live in a 50+ story building tend to support the hutongs.

Not only this, but over half of them rate having an old feel to their

future home as either important or very important. How can this be?

The answer is that the qualities required for an old feel can successfully

be combined with super-tall towers. The slice is taken, the cake remains !

Again the responses come out strongly in favor of living in a lively busy

neighborhood as well as prioritizing peace and quiet. 85% of those

who want one, want both.

And there is an almost absolute refusa l to countenance any conflictbetween the environment and the economy. Concern over the

environment is extremely strong, with 85% of people (the highest level

of consent for any question) deeming this issue to be very important

to the future of China. However, this does not mean that scal matters

may be allowed to slip. Over 90% of people who rate the environment

as important or very important say the same of the economy. Only 6%

give signicant priority to one over the other.

85%

85%

90%

6%

40%

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On more private matters, people are equally deant. Asked to rate one

by one the importance of making money, of children, of their love lives,

of their friends, of having fun, and of music, art and books, 40% answer

that all are either important or very important; with 11% sticking

tenaciously to very important right the way across the board. And why

notwhy compromise?

But what do such high quality of life expectations mean for urban

design? Well firstly, that if the current boom in urbanization can find

no more creative expressions, future urban frustration will run riot. You

dont have to engage with the idea of city masterplanning to say that youwant to have fun, but to have fun in a city you have to be able to move

through it smoothly, nd people and places you like easily, and discover

sophisticated user-orientated environments at every turn.

Increasingly it seems that if Chinese cities are to fulfill the desires of

their citizens, they will need to outperform any urban realm seen to date.

They will need to facilitate intrinsically conicting needs. While growing

larger in terms of footprint, with more green and better services, they

must also become smaller in terms of travel-time and neighborhood

feel. They will need to refute the paradox, and serve what can only be

described as a burgeoning community of individuals.

Adrian Hornsby

Adrian Hornsby


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1 Where were you born Village (less than 20,000 people): 27% --- -- --- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- *

Town (less than 100,000 people): 13%- -- -- -- -- -- -- *City (less than 1 million people): 22%--- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- *Big city (1 million-10 million people): 18%------------------ *Mega-city (more than 10 million people): 20%-------------------- *

2 Where do you live nowVillage (less than 20,000 people): 1%- *

Town (less than 100,000 people): 4%- -- - *City (less than 1 million people): 18%------------------ *Big city (1 million-10 million people): 17%----------------- *Mega-city (more than 10 million people): 60%--- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- --- -- *

3 Do you live in thecentre: 24%------------------------ *near the centre: 51%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

suburb: 21%---------------------*

satellite town: 3%--- *countryside: 1%- *

4 Do you like your city1 (not at all): 3%-- - *2 (not much): 12%--- --- -- -- -- *3 ( i t's okay) : 45%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4 (yes, it's nice): 18%------------------ *5 (yes, it's great): 21%--------------------- *

5 Where would you like to live in 2020Village (less than 20,000 people): 8%-- -- -- -- *

Town (less than 100,000 people): 8%- -- -- -- - *City (less than 1 million people): 24%-- -- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- --- *Big city (1 million-10 million people): 18%------------------ *Mega-city (more than 10 million people): 43%----- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- -- *

6 In thecentre: 18%----- --- --- ---- --- *near the centre: 36%------------------------------------ *suburb: 33%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *satellite town: 5%-- -- - *

countryside: 8%-- -- -- -- *

7 What kind o building did you grow up inapartment block: 13%--- -- --- -- -- - *dormitory building: 39%--------------------------------------- *ping fang /small house: 34%--- --- --- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- --- -- *villa:3%--- *other: 9%---- ---- - *

8 What kind o building do you live in nowapartment block: 41%----------------------------------------- *dormitory building: 41%----------------------------------------- *pingfang / small house: 8%-- -- -- -- *villa: 3%--- *other: 8%-------- *

9 Are you happy with your current home1 (not happy): 5%-- -- - *2: 10%---------- *3: 39%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 28%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5 (very happy):18%------------------ *

10 Who lives there with you (check as many as you like)parents: 29%----------------------------- *friends: 21%--------------------- *partner: 21%--------------------- *children: 10%-- -- -- -- -- *

just you: 15%-- -- -- -- -- -- -- - *

11 How many people altogether1-2: 66%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *3-5: 33%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *more than 5: 2%-- *

12 What kind o building do you want to live in in 2020apartment block: 36%------------------------------------ *dormitory building: 15%-- -- -- -- --- -- -- *ping fang /small house: 9%--------- *vil la: 28%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *other: 12%--- --- ---- -- *

13 Who will live there with you (check as many as you like)parents: 28%---------------------------- *friends: 18%--- ---- --- --- ---- - *partner : 53%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *chi ldren: 56%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

just you: 8%-- -- -- -- *

14 How many people altogether1-2: 31%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *3-5: 62%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *more than 5: 8%--- -- -- - *15 In 2020 will you be living in your home city town village

yes : 32%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

no : 68 %- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -*

16 In 2020 where will your parents livewith you: 23%----------------------- *nearby: 25%------------------------- *in the same city: 19%------------------- *in another part of China: 32%--- ---- --- --- ---- --- --- ---- --- -- *

17 How do you get to school workwalk: 24%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *bicycle: 12%------------ *bus: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *subway: 16%----- ---- --- --- - *car: 13%------------- *taxi: 9%----- --- - *


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18 How long does it takeless than 30 mins: 59%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *1 hour : 34%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *90 mins: 5%----- *2 hours: 2%-- *

19 Do you think the transport is1 (very bad): 24%----- --- --- ---- --- --- --- *2: 14%----- - - - - - - - - - *3: 39%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 18%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5 (very good): 5%----- *

20 Do you think the trafc is1 (very bad): 41%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *2: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *3: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

4: 7%------ -*

5 (very good): 3%--- *

21 In 2020 how will you get to school workwalk: 14%------ --- --- -- *bicycle: 13%------------- *bus: 7%--- --- - *subway: 18%------------------ *car : 45%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *taxi: 3%-- - *

22 How long will it takeless than 30 mins : 69%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *1 hour : 28%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *90 mins: 3%-- - *more than 2 hours: 1%- *

23 Will you own a car in 2020yes : 73%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *no: 27%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

24 Do you think t he roads around where you live need toget bigger: 46%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

stay the same: 42%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -*

get smaller: 12%------------ *

25 Do you think the city is well connected1 (no, not at all): 18%------------------ *2: 30%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *3: 30%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 14%----- - - - - - - - - - *5 (yes, very well): 2%-- *

26 Do you like big cities1 (not at all):5%----- *2: 16%----- - - - - - - - - - - - *3: 30%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 23%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5 (lots and lots): 26%----- --- --- --- ---- --- --- -- *

27 Do you think t hat there is enough green spaceyes : 26%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *no: 60%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *not sure: 14%----- --- ---- -- *

28 Do you think t hat there is enough public spaceyes : 21%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *no : 69 %- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - *not sure: 10%---------- *

29 Would you be happy living in a building with (check as many as you like)1 storey: 24%------------------------ *5 storeys : 39%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *10 storeys: 35%----------------------------------- *30 storeys: 23%--- --- --- ---- --- --- ---- *50 storeys: 7%-- -- -- - *more than 50 storeys: 14%--- --- -- -- -- -- *

30 Do you like the way in which where you live is changing1 (not at all): 15%--------------- *2: 24%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *3: 36%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 16%----- - - - - - - - - - - - *5 (lots and lots): 8%-------- *

31 Where do you spend most time with your riendsat home: 26%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *in malls or shopping areas: 19%-- -- -- --- -- -- -- --- - *in restaurants, bars, or clubs: 34%---------------------------------- *in public places (parks, museums etc.): 8%-- -- -- -- *in internet cafes: 3%--- *other: 10%---------- *

32 How important in uture home big rooms space1: 6%----- - *2: 9%--------- *3: 22%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 38%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

32 How important in uture home modern eel

1: 11%----------- *2: 9%--------- *3: 35%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 21%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

32 How important in uture home old eel history1: 22%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *2: 22%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *3: 26%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 18%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 12%------------ *


20/47

32 How important in uture home garden1: 4%---- *2: 5%--- -- *3: 20%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 32%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 38%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

32 How important in uture home close to centre1: 8%-------- *2: 15%----- - - - - - - - - - - *3: 29%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 23%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

32 How important in uture home lively busy neighbourhood1: 6%----- - *2: 5%--- -- *

3: 20%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -*

4: 31%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 30%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

32 How important in uture home peace and quiet1: 2%-- *2: 3%-- - *3: 10%---------- *4: 26%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 60% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China car1: 8%-------- *2: 4%---- *3: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 22%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 40%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China train1: 4%---- *2: 7%------- *3: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 32%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 33%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China hutong1: 21%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *2: 10%---------- *3: 33%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 14%----- - - - - - - - - - *5: 22%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China skyscraper1: 8%-------- *2: 17%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - *3: 29%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 20%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 27%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China park1: 3%-- - *2: 4%---- *3: 9%--------- *4: 24%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 60% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China mall1: 6%----- - *2: 4%---- *3: 21%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 26%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 42%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China Starbucks1: 34%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *2: 11%----------- *

3: 31%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -*

4: 13%----- - - - - - - - - *5: 12%------------ *

33 How important in China communism1: 40%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *2: 15%----- - - - - - - - - - - *3: 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 10%---------- *5: 10%---------- *

33 How important in China the economy1: 2%-- *3: 10%---------- *4: 29%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 60% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China culture1: 2%-- *2: 1%- *3: 7%----- -- *4: 17%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 74% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

33 How important in China the environment1: 3%-- - *2: 2%-- *3: 5%--- -- *4: 4%---- *5: 85% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

34 how important to you making money1: 4%---- *2: 4%---- *3: 24%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *4: 30%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 30%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *


21/47

34 how important to you children1: 9%--------- *2: 9%--------- *3: 13%----- - - - - - - - - *4: 18%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 51%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

34 how important to you love lie1: 4%---- *2: 3%-- - *3: 11%----------- *4: 27%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 55% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - *

34 how important to you riends1: 2%-- *2: 1%- *

3: 8%--------*

4: 35%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 55% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - *

34 how important to you having un1: 4%---- *2: 2%-- *3: 14%----- - - - - - - - - - *4: 32%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 48%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

34 how important to you music art books1: 3%-- - *2: 3%-- - *3: 10%---------- *4: 27%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *5: 58% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - *

35 Have you travelled outside Chinayes : 56%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *no: 44%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

36 Where do you most want to go

Europe: 45%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -*

America: 14%------ --- ---- - *Canada: 6%-- -- -- *Australia: 4%-- -- *India: 9%---- --- -- *travel in China: 9%--- -- -- -- *other: 12%--- --- ---- -- *

37 What is your age0-15: 2%-- *15-25: 39%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *25-35: 48%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *35-50: 9%---- --- -- *50-65: 2%- - *

38 Have you been to universityye s: 92% - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *no: 8%--- --- -- *

39 What is your current occupationstudent: 28%---------------------------- *manual worker (low skill): 1%- *manual worker (high skill): 1%- *office worker (secretarial/administrative): 5%----- *office worker (professional): 22%--- --- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- - *office worker (lower management): 11%-- -- -- -- -- - *office worker (upper management): 7%- -- -- -- *other : 25%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *

40 What do did your parents domanual worker (low skill): 15%--- --- -- -- -- -- - *manual worker (high skill): 6%-- -- -- *

office worker (secretarial/administrative): 4%----*

office worker (professional): 7%- -- -- -- *office worker (lower management): 5%----- *office worker (upper management): 27%--- -- -- -- --- -- -- -- -- --- -- -- *other : 36%----- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - *


22/47

Holding down a good job to make some money. Youre nothing in china without it. Just a vulnerable mine

worker, waiting for the next explosion. Forget the middle class and join me in my deluxe villa in the sky (or a

Western born Chinese man thinking for a future China in all too gloomy ways.)

My dream for 2020 is to have my own apartment in a tower, with western accommodations. I

would like to t it out withall western furniture. I tend to go for decadence to state my nancial

position in life. As for life in the city, it will depend more on shopping public places and how to

decorate your own apartment. Most of public city life will be replaced by the fear of provincial

unrest gone wild in our cities. And the pollution awaiting our weakened lungs outside.So the

interior of our buildings will be what remains of our city life, or how to t out your apartment;

this will be the new shopping. Oops, thats my negativity creating a protective cocoon or just a

nightmare.

But my true dream is too idealistic and altruistic to be true, green spaces, lively public life, and

environmental standards. But lets be honest, this capitalist/communist hybrid has yet to bring

good things to the average Chinese citizen. Political unrest, an unhealthy environment, and

rampant consumerism, will only plague us Chinese citizens. So all we have to dream for is a nice

place to live in. Negative yes, but honest. So sell me your development with rendered comfort,

traditional Chinese serenity, and large fence to keep the negative energy outside. Sorry Dynamic

City, I couldnt think of a dream.

works at home, no longer needs to gather in one ofce building. We can save both the resources

and the time, and we also can allocate our time freely to improve efciency and relieve trafc

congestion.

......

The city maybe more modernized, but the living environment may not have changed much, my

lifestyle wont either. I hope China can develop more, more balanced, paying more attention to

ecology. I dream to have a nice family, lovely kids, a family that cares about each other, and my

own comfortable home.

travel business

I hope I can live in a beautiful village with nice surroundings, convenient transportation. I also

hope I have more free time to travel and see the undeveloped places.


23/47

I think I will try some charity work around 2020

In 2020, my life could be more or less similar, but my kids would have grown up, so I can have

more time for traveling around and contribute my service to people who need help (like non-prot

organization...). In 2020, I would like to see China have set up more charity organizations to help

people who need it, such as the disables, low income families, poor kids, for education etc...

Architect and planner

I would like to live in a city without cars and with various kinds of public transportations: bus,

subway, train... cheap, fast, comfortable and clean ones. They also have to be available at night. It

will take less than 5 minutes by foot to be connected to every station... The roads will be smaller

and designated for walking and soft, ecological transportations, like bikes and roller blades.

We could nd different kind of places to relax, have a walk or do some sports without paying.

There will be no entrance, no guards to shake, and we can nd people everywhere, outside,

inside buildings, on the roof of buildings to enjoy the city from the top... it will be open to

everybody. And green, green everywhere, along the streets, on the walls, and the roofs... We could

also have a walk or picnic on the sand with some friend along the canal, and why not swim there

and have a shower after. There will be no advertisement, not any visual pollution on front of the

buildings; architecture alone could express herself and her beauty and colors...

Consultation work about design or research

Good urban environment, less pollution, moderate rain with adequate sunshine; open cultural

environment which will accept varies cultures; more media participants; easier face-to-face

interpersonal communication; A convenient, colorful, and rich material life with excellent trafc

conditions; better work, more leisure time; many people will be able to explore their amateur

creativity.


24/47

Work which could make enough money, and offer an easy life.

Self-employed: writer, graphic designer, fashion related design. Or some other professional work.We are more more mobile than now, using a mobile ofce, I only need to go to the ofce when

a face to face meeting is required. I hope the city could be greener than now it is. I could leave

alone or with my friends, and no longer live in big modern building, things could be offered by

high tech. but not that cold. All the surrounding things could keep the old style (maybe with new

ideas), downtown will be more and more like a functional place, not for living but only for

social things. At night, it will just turn off

More and more people will just move out to the uptown inside of downtown. Tubs will be the

major transportation in city.

Company employee (professional)

I hope I can live an easy life in 2020. There would less pressure from my job so that each year Icould have two or three weeks to travel. The transportation is more convenient. The living quality

for citizens would improve a lot. We have a normal life.

I have a dream that I am healthy and in the company of a lot of friends and I dont have to worry

about earning money.

Teacher, artist

A dream is only a dream. According to the situation now, a dream would remove you only

be further away, so youd better stop dreaming.

self-employed

I will have an easy life, active and cozy. There would be less tall buildings, less private cars, and

convenient transportations. I hope I will be very free and sometimes working for others to earn

extra money. I will have much spare time so that I can travel around the world.


25/47

In electronics or technical work

More green in the surroundings, well-developed road network. I would buy my parents an

apartment. Work hard, live intense.

similarly creative work

I wish I could still be very energetic and creative with many new and fresh ideas. I could have

a big studio space to work and live separately but very nearby. Also I could have a at close by

for my parents. I wish I could have a garden and green where I live and work. I wish Beijing

will have a fully functioning subway system covering every corner at not-more than 10 minutes

walk-distance, so I dont need to drive around and be stuck in trafc jam. The streets can have

many neighborhoods with shops, cafes, small businesses and services for living. The city can be

enjoyed just by walking & biking. There more cinemas with good movies.

High position ofcer

I wish China in 2020 has more cities open to the outside world. The planning of mega-

cities should keep pace with the growth of the cities, reducing trafc jams, and increasing

green areas, and decreasing pollution. I hope I could live in a fashionably apartment, with

spacious rooms and enough sunshine and a big kitchen. Wishing the cable television could

be more internationalized, at least could receive some important programs from European or

American TV stations. The International Exhibition Center needs to be expanded, because there

should be much more exhibitions than there are now. Today some conferences are inuenced by

the weather and pollution. I hope in 2020 scientic developments can control the pollution more

effectively. Of course English education should become more popular, so that China could totallyopen up to the outside world. I wish the speed of importing movies could be faster and the themes

cover various aspects. And the ght against piracy is a long-term effort; so could the price of the

movie ticket decrease a little bit?

High position in the company

Have a car, a house. Various lifestyles. Enough food and clothes.


26/47

I wish I knew; something related to the cultural industries.

China will have surpassed the west in environmental innovations, transportation efcacy

and urban planning schemes that accommodate a dense urban population and middle-low income earners. There will be more freedom of speech and more education for all, and the

countryside as a peaceful alternative to city living will be preferred and protected. Of course, the

countryside will have new economic options to keep people there, and will be respected for its

unique way of life. No one will want cars! We will all work from home via the internet and

virtual ofces!

I am learning urban planning in Canada. I hope I would back to China in 2020 and become part of a new-

generation of designers.

I hope in China in 2020 everybody would have their own house to live in and there are fewer

differences between cities and villages. Government administration would be public and

transparent. The different levels for public education will be clear. It would be a city with

advanced public facilities and convenient transportation and excellent welfare system and medical

care. I also hope I can live in a tall building or villa in the village. The living model of high-level

and high-density or high-level and low-density is not suitable for China. The only way both

to solve the housing problem and maintain certain living condition is an appropriate combination

of building height with intensive land use. The traditional culture of neighborhood and

community should be brought to a great height of development. I am looking forward to

living in a big cozy and harmonious community with good environment together with all my

family members and relatives. Everyone, no mater in the city or the village, has a stable job,

reasonable salary, excellent social security and a very optimistic mind.

international business man

In my dream, I hope I can earn all the money I want and then live in a modern city like Shenzhen,

Qinhuangdao and so on. I wish I could live in a place which is beautiful, quiet and peaceful. And

the city becomes more and more comfortable!


27/47

A leader in a medium level cooperation with enough income for my familys livelihood and leisure

One or two private cars, living in a suburb 10 minutes driving from to the center. The residential

society would have some grass lands, guards etc. the apartment doesnt need to be very big or a

lot of rooms; this would be too difcult to tidy. The city would have improved a lot.

Besides the traditional buildings, all other low buildings would be torn down . The trafc

would be much better than now, the main transportation modes are subways and buses, cyclists

have their own bicycle lane; that should be much safer. The degree of civilization of drivers

would increase a lot, just as in western countries. Pedestrians would have the priority when

crossing the road and no illegal vendors on the streets.

In 2020 I want to have a position in an accounting department of a big corporation and I would become a

registered accountant.

In 2020, I hope I would have a private car, I could take my family out for fun, and Id use it for

work too. My kids would study close to our home. There is a good environment, with harmony,

the quality of citizens is increasing. The city is clean with fresh air, and it becomes completely

utopian. I dream to have a happy home, a healthy body, a xiaokang / well-off economy, and I

reach my own goals.

......

I hope China will develop into a country in which more people can have a share of the resources

it has, where less energy is wasted and ways are found to curb the growing pollution. I hope the

economic growth of China will not continue to cut into the rich physical culture and heritage, so

as to leave something for our children they can be proud of. I really hope I can still be part of that,

and that I can enjoy the beautiful country it will be.


28/47

Teacher

In 2020, China must be more urbanized. My life would not change a lot because of my

occupation. Teacher is a quite stable job. I expect everything will be better, especially the

trafc problem could be improved a lot, and the subways should extend in all directions. And

there should be more green; I hope to breathe more pure fresh air. Drinking water will be much

cleaner. I expect the buildings are more beautiful, the quantity of cars is much less than now. The

population density is reduced. I could go through the city by bike.

A leader in a medium level cooperation with enough income for my familys livelihood and leisure

One or two private cars, living in a suburb 10 minutes driving from to the center. The residential

society would have some grass lands, guards etc. the apartment doesnt need to be very big or a

lot of rooms; this would be too difcult to tidy. The city would have improved a lot.

Besides the traditional buildings, all other low buildings would be torn down. The trafc would

be much better than now, the main transportation modes are subways and buses, cyclists have

their own bicycle lane; that should be much safer. The degree of civilization of drivers would

increase a lot, just as in western countries. Pedestrians would have the priority when crossing the

road and no illegal vendors on the streets.

Lawyer

Im not too busy earning money, but realizing my dream and promoting to set up a law for animal

protection. Playing the piano, cooking in my spare time. Enjoying the life with my wife and

traveling. I have a big enough villa; so my parents could move in to live with us as well.


29/47

Politician

In 2020 China will have banned cars and everyone will ride bicycles or take transit. All of

the skyscrapers will have farms, create their own energy and deal with their own waste.

There will be parks nearby, shopping streets, cultural centers and a continuous network of natural

systems that cross the city.

manager? probably.

I hope by then we only work 4.5 days, 7hrs a day. If we are lucky, we may still have enough

oil and no energy shortage. In 2020, China will be economically stronger and with prosperity on

the horizon, I hope it will be much easier to go abroad for a holiday. Maybe by that time, more

countries will let us have a 3-month visit visa without much difculty and we can get the visa on

site. Metropolitan life will become more colorful but with more stress from work; people will

look for new ways to release stress. Internet cafes are enjoying a big popularity among teenagers

now. Maybe in the future, there wont be any of them around since Internet must be more

accessible. Instead, there will likely be more theme parks such as Happy Valley in Shenzhen and

Disneyland in HK.

Buses will be made better. And having a car is just like having a nice suite to wear for the day.

Expensive sports such as golf and surng will become more affordable. Hopefully, we have more

sense of the environment and a lot of green projects will be carried out. What is badly polluted

now will get a lot of attention from the crowd and people will become more willing to resume its

original look. In the end, in the year 2020, China will be still blessed with peace and the US won

t be as aggressive or greedy to invade any other countries.

Ill run my own company

Ill have my own company; a 80 m2 apartment with 3 bedrooms, which is near my parents home

and its convenient to take care of them; is far from the center, surrounded by beautiful vegetation;

the education for my children is better and the tuition for schooling is less. The medical care is

improved and cheaper. Society is stable, and the economy is growing steadily. The gab between

rich and poor is getting smaller. People are wealthy and living and working conditions in the rural

areas have much improved. The distance between city and village is smaller and smaller.


30/47

Because my major is business management, I think in 2020 I would have a job in business management,

maybe a senior manager; otherwise a teacher in a high school

In 2020, I hope I would have a happy family, and everyone is healthy. Less pressure from living,

enough time for traveling. I expect the living environment would have well appointed facilities,

nice environment, fresh air and with a European feeling.

It will be very organized, no noise, no smoke and very clean. I am not living in a big building, but

still keeping a courtyard in Beijing. An interesting city with street shopping. Free educated and

high welfare. I hope I will be able to do some part-time consulting, and enjoy my life for the rest

of the time.A job with enough salary for my family to have a high-quality life. It must be a meaningful job with enough

spare time, and it also could contribute to the nation

I hope China in 2020 has territorial integrity, good natural environment, a developed economy,

with powerful capacity to fuse and attract different cultures; an ordered and mature society; less

sharp distinction between the rich and the poor; the country could protect its citizens better, and

people have harmonious lives.

I would live with my wife and child, work for a meaningful job with a satisfactory salary for

my high quality life with my family, I would have enough spare time to travel with my family;

stable friends and a docile pet. I will be living in a green society with convenient transits and

lively surroundings with active neighbors. The city where I would live in is dynamic, with a

good environment, convenient trafc, stable development, good order, abundant cultural life; this

would make me feel revitalized.


31/47

No job, I would be better if I could retire soon

I hope in 2020 there will be blue skies, enough drinking water but not too much; no sandstorm,

no polluted air from cars; smooth trafc, comfortable, convenient, fast; it is not necessary to

have a private car. Three working days per week, the rest four days for studying, relaxing and

entertaining. There would be many big cities in 2020, so people would not gather only in one

city, and there would be no annual s pring rush home problem.

A job concerning the environment

I expect the environment would be much better, green everywhere. People have happy lives. I

could do what I like. I have a small room with my family. When I have spare time, I could travel,

especially to some beautiful places in China and some European countries.

Program Architect or media artist. Working on the living conditions of the underprivileged of society,

creating the qualities of mainstream society.

Its a kind of mix. Based on progressive trafc. The elderly population will increase, but the

space available will reduce. The lifestyle of senior citizens will diversify. Well see a cultural

renaissance.

Architect

The cities will have evolved to be more sensible to excessively fast development. I wish to

live in a compact city center where walking is pleasant and possible. I believe city life will be

more compact, as everybody only needs a computer with internet connection and not much more.

Therefore private space would be reduced and we can give more as open public spaces.


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Professional fundraiser

Quiet and peace. Playing with the children, walking with my parents; reading in my spare time,

and doing some exercise to keep healthy, also traveling sometimes.

Architect

Lifestyle: my own studio; holiday twice each year, live with my parents.

Living environment: more trees, less cars, broader spaces. People fell bored about the lifestyle

in cities because the functionality of cities is weakened day by day. However commercial

mechanisms continuingly make more and more people pour into the cities. Due to the

problem of transportation and value orientation, the centre of city moves closely to its edge. The

repetition of urban functions at the edge of big cities will ultimately destroy the city.

My dream is to increase living space in the whole country so to fundamentally solve the

problem of the shortage of land. Pay more attention to the relationship between neighborhoods,

forms of living and working.

civil servant

The economy is developing smoothly; food and clothing problems in the poverty areas could be

completely solved; environmental pollution problem could be effectively improved, air quality

would be better and better. The trafc jams could be solved as well; there would be no gridlock

on the street. The growing population is under control. The quality of the exported products

would be improved. No matter politics or economy, China would play its part in the world. And I

hope I would have my own villa, private car. And my life would be both intensive and leisurely; I

would go abroad to take s ome periodical refreshment courses or just for traveling.

artist

In 2020, China will be like Germany in 1938-39, just before ww2. the big shots of Zhong

Nan Hai in Beijing, will have all the power of their fantasy, to seize Taiwan and to compete

with America. This will be the start of the darkest time for humanity.


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Artist

15 years later, I expect I could join into some interesting affairs, like sell paintings, mount

paintings, make some beautiful accessories, or run a ower shop. I could go for walk with my

grandson in the park to play Taiji (Chinese kongfu). Blue sky, green land with birds and owers,

exchange chess techniques with friends. I want to live in a lower than 6 stories building, no high

buildings around so nothing would block the sunshine. There is a row of trees in front of the

building to enjoy the shade. A sweet-smell comes from roses and clove trees. There would be no

trafc jams on the roads, so the kids could get home quickly to have a rest, an 8 hour workday,

and no overtime during the holidays; keeping healthy and energetic. Our kids kids would go

to a school with highly skilled teachers, bright classes with just 30 students, no more crowded

classes of 60 students. No dust in the playground.

Translator

In 2020, I would live with my family in a not very big apartment in a well-appointed beautiful

residential area. I would go to work by public transportation; the public transportations must

be very convenient by then. No trafc jams, less than an hour to go to work or go home. More

walking streets like Wangfujing (a main walking street for shopping) in the city, no trouble from

trafc, so we can relax there. I hope I could run a small shop no matter how much prot I could

make.

Lawyer

There would be better if we had transport without the need for cars or bicycles. Betterunderground system. Shopping experience will be more integrating that the shops wont be so

concentrated on selling one thing in a huge complex. Air pollution should really improve and

water shortage could be elevated with some good managing of water distribution and pricing .

Recycling would really REALLY REALLY help!!!!!

In electronics or technical work

More green in the surroundings, well-developed road network. I would buy my parents an

apartment. Work hard, live intense.


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IInternational journalist based in china

My dream has already come true. I moved to China, build my career here and this country has

accepted me and my dream. Moreover, I married a wonderful guy and we bought the house of

our dreams: with space, an outdoor area, lots of sunlight and close to lively city centre. Therefore,

I would be foolish to add more and more wishes to all the happiness we already have. If my life

would never change anymore, it would just be like now. I would already be satised. But hey,

we keep on dreaming...wishing our parents will stay healthy, wishing one day we can have a

baby, wishing our country keeps working with the same creativity. China will develop in the rightdirection, respecting nature and its people.

Self-employed

Comfortable life with friends, vibrant human cultural environment; no wars. I want to see today

become a memorable era.

Anything in art or design

A free, satisfactory income, a husband and two healthy kids; a lush clean city that keeps

developing fast; people are polite and respectful. We enjoy freedom, without compromising on

health or the economy.

Run my own company

In 2020, Beijing would be much bigger than now; the environment would be still quite polluted.

Much more cars. I would be very busy commuting between my company, my home and my kid.

Artist

An artistic lifestyle, living in a natural and harmonious environment. I dream the city would

be like a big garden and I am the bee.


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In art

In 2020, I live in a two-storey villa in a village; there are owers, fruit, vegetables and trees

planted in my 600 m2 courtyard. I usually wake up in the morning and come out from my

bedroom on the second oor to the yard to enjoy the fresh air and do some exercise. After a

simple breakfast in the kitchen on the rst oor, I go to the reading room. Check my email and

start working on-line. I go to my ofce to design and create my art in the afternoon. I meet friends

in the evening. During the weekend, I would take my family on a trip or visit some exhibitions

or performances, or maybe just relax. Every year I would have one month for traveling in China,

and one month traveling overseas, two months are for going on business. Half of the year I work

at home, the other half I work in an ofce. Public transportation in the city has developed and

so have various cultural and recreational places and facilities. Most people in this city rely on

internet for their work and their daily life and leisure and also for joining some dazzling shows.

The densest urban area is the CBD, connected by roads, railways and subways. Many people live

with their families in individual buildings in the suburbs; gardening becomes a hobby of most

people.

international business man.

In my dream, I hope I can earn all the money I want and then live in a modern city like Shenzhen,

Qinhuangdao and so on. I wish I could live in a place which is beautiful, quiet and peaceful. And

the city becomes more and more comfortable!

Depending on to the possibilities: 1 movie director; 2 TV show host; 3 costume designer; 4 actor

I am typing in front of my computer at 17:25 on 3rd of February, 2006, in my 150 m2 apartment.

The apartment is in a 6-storey building, in a small city in China.


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Boss, teacher, professional manager

I have twins, a happy family, no worries about food and clothes.

Ill have a coffee bar, and I hope Ill have many chain stores by 2020, and I hope to promote the coffee

culture in China and the hutong lifestyle of Beijing, so people would know more about living in the hutongs

(alleys) in Beijing. I would be a familiar costumer in one of the bars.

In 2020, I hope the hutong where I grew up will not disappear, and the old siheyuan (courtyard)

still tell us its history. I like having Beijing Zhajiang Mian (home style noodle) with cold beer in

the summer; sitting in hutong and chatting with my friends, watching the kids playing around.

That kind of life would be great. It would be better if there is a place to exercise, and if we keep

some traditional things, because the times are changing so fast, some people always keep thinkingof the toys in their childhood, and also I d like hearing locals calling like have you eaten yet?

No, lets go get some together. Haha, just like that.

Boss.

In 2020, I hope the city where I live is more beautiful, with professional shopping malls, whichoffer abundant choices for shopping; enough parks and public spaces; a good education system

and good schools; smooth trafc; no pollution and the air is clean. No matter in city or village,

we could see a tidy clean appearance, and enough roads for transportation (in the rural areas). My

family is happy and the life is quiet, we educate our child with success, the life is quite well-off. I

can fully develop my own talent and continue to improve myself along the way; keeping a young

and healthy spirit.

company owner

The cities will become more and more like countries in itself.....


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PR

City life in Beijing will be fast and furious. People will become more aware of the

temptations of huge shopping malls and will become more demanding, and also more aware

of the grayness and blandness these giant elements grew out of. Beijing will be like a spider

s web, spread out to 7th ring road, with tightly packed skyscrapers aligning the roads .

Roads will be as congested as other South East Asian cities. I just hope that bicycles come back

in fashion, and that bicycle lanes survive!

Still working for as a news reporter, but I hope Ill be more qualied

I hope the environment would not be worse than now, and population would be smaller. Our lives

would be more like the lives of Europeans and Americans; I hope we could travel around during

a certain period every year; that I could live following my own ideas, happier and simpler.

Small individual workshop owner

I think I will get married and have my baby in 2020. We enjoy our happy life! I will go back

to the village where I was born and start my peaceful and quite work and life! The city in my

dreams is no longer snobbish and she will give the warmest care to everybody who comes

from very far away. In my dreams I will have a virtuous wife and a considerate lover and

some children, neither too wise nor stupid, just having their own ideas. They will work happily

and they treat each other fair and will be treated fairly. Each month I will have one or two free

weeks, and then I can go everywhere, just following my inner voice, coming from the bottom of

my heart.

I sincerely hope that then I still can bear something in my mind: self-esteem, self-healing and

independence; a clear conscience.

Something in computing

Kiss my wife before going to work, work, and play with my kids after work, sleep. Some extra

green in the garden. Get the chance to do a postgraduate.


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Senior manager

I will live in a villa in China in 2020, with fresh, unpolluted air, more trees and green elds and

blue skiesEveryone just works at home, no longer needs to gather in one ofce building. We

can save both the resources and the time, and we also can allocate our time freely to improve

efciency and relieve trafc congestion.

Self-employed

I can not imagine how the whole country would be. But I think in 2020, Beijing must be twice as

good as in 2008. I live in a big but not too busy city. I only hope there will be a smooth trafc

and kind neighbors.


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Quinn Comendant

~ www.dynamiccity.org : [email protected] ~

(DCF)

relationship to the mothership the metropolis is ambivalent. The

satellites want to grow, compete and overtake, offering cheap space

and land, facilities and labor. Yet they remain dependent upon the local

metropolis. Planning and designing a satellite becomes the ultimate

balancing act. Positioned too far out, no mutual benet is achieved and

the daily commute becomes unbearable the metropolis remains a

mirage on the horizon. Positioned too close, the satellite is in danger of

being swallowed up. It loses its potential attraction as a green retreat, its

allure as a safe-haven for young families, and its promise of a new city.

All ideas for the Chinese satell ite from design to theory, visual ordescriptive, can now be posted.

Neville Mars, Quinn Comendant

~ www.dynamiccity.org : [email protected] ~

The Dynamic City Foundation (DCF) is a Beijing based non-prot urban research

and design institute. Sign-up and participate today.


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the urban dream survey for china

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