THE RESEARCH AND APPLICATION OF URBAN CATALYST THEORY IN REVITALIZING HISTORIC URBAN QUARTERS------REDESIGN NANBUTING DISTRICT IN NANJING, CHINA

Abstract: With urbanization happening at high-speed throughout China, many historic urban quarters are aging and facing the problems of decay. Therefore, revitalization of historic urban quarters has become a popular and important issue, particularlyin the Chinese cities. In some cases, however, the goal of revitalization has not been fully achieved. Nevertheless, several examples may bring useful information for further analysis and the search of solutions to the problem. This thesis aims to find answers to the following questions: What is the urban catalyst theory? How can the urban catalyst theory provide a theoretical framework to guide the revitalization of historic urban quarters? How can the urban catalyst theory be applied to a historical urban district in China? What elements of the theory are most applicable, and which are not? What may explain this type of discrepancy? What kind of historic urban quarter may be the most suitable one for the Chinese cities, in view of their peculiar situations? This proposed theory is a new redevelopment strategy, comprised of a series of projects that drive and guide urban development. The aim of this paper is thus to make a proposal for Nanbuting Destrict , which is characterized by similar problems, based on the principles of the urban catalyst theory. The thesis will also shade light on the pecularity of the historic urban quarters in China, taking into considerationg the situation in the country during urban revitalization. Based on this aim, this study will firstly presents the theoretical overview on the concept of urban catalyst theory and urban revitalization. Consequently the urban catalyst theory will be introduced as a theoretical foundation for addressing the problem of revitalization of historic urban quarters with the demands of the current modern city. Following the theoretical study, two case studies will be addressed with the purpose of evaluation of the proposed theory.. As the main contribution of this paper, the author will apply the theory into the design proposal for Nanbuting district, in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China. Finally, the paper will conclude with a brief summary on the general arguments presented in this work. Several of the case studies, presented in Wayne’s (1989) book, present the urban situation in China as a repetition of the American urban development in the 70’s and 80’s. Therefore, the argument of the thesis is that the urban catalyst theory is also a suitable theory and method for revitalization of historic urban quarters in China, which may also bring in solutions for dealing with the problem which has been arised. The information and support my design proposal was collected through the interviews of the local residents and the municipal government in Nanjing, as well as the author’s own observations noted during the visit to the design area. Thus, the design proposal examines the significance of the urban catalyst as a means of revitalization in historic urban quarters in China. Finally, a suggestion will be given in regard to the improvement of the future urban renewal system in the future.