LXV. Guangzhou, China.


Guangzhou, China —Yajun.

Guangzhou, China.

Guangzhou is the capital city of Guangdong Province, one of China’s four first-tier cities, and the economic center of southern China. With over 2,200 years of history, it also serves as the starting point of China’s Maritime Silk Road. The Pearl River flows through this major trade hub, which is renowned for its high-density urban structure and vibrant economic activities.




Population:


Urban: 18,827,000 people
Metro: 36,906,900 people

Area:

Urban: 7473.4 km2
Metro: 13,692.2 km2

 Population Density:

Urban Average: 2,519.20 people/km2
Metro Average: 2,695.47 people/km2


                          

Politics:

The Guangzhou Municipal Government is the administrative authority responsible for the comprehensive governance and regional development of Guangzhou. The mayor is appointed by the Guangdong Provincial Government and approved by the Guangzhou People’s Congress, while other key leadership positions are elected by the People’s Congress. As one of the key cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Guangzhou Municipal Government places great emphasis on international cooperation and regional integration. To attract and retain talent, Guangzhou has introduced programs and policy reforms, offering skilled professionals better living and employment conditions to boost innovation and diversify its workforce.




TYPOLOGY STUDY

Guangzhou, China: High-Density Building Typologies.
 

Guangzhou, China: Urban Void Typologies.




NEIGHBORHOOD ANALYSIS: 


1.  Liede Community, Tianhe District




2. Sanyuanli Community, Baiyun District



3. Liede Riverside Community, Zhujiang New Town



Sources:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liede,_Guangzhou
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197397519305685
[3] http://guangzhou.chinadaily.com.cn/tianhe/2022-10/14/c_820179.htm
[4] https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Successful-transformation-of-Liede-village-in-Guangzhou-Data-source_fig3_262490811
[5] https://j.eastday.com/p/1724137008044171
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanyuanli
[7] https://huizhou.leyoujia.com/xq/detail/46041.html
[8] http://gzigc.com/sc/about-us
[9] http://www.gzxaa.com/list.asp?id=438
[10] https://guangzhou.leyoujia.com/xq/detail/21272.html


VILLAGE LOOM
Guangzhou

This project reimagines high-density vertical living by weaving together the fine-grain spatial logic of Sanyuanli—a historic urban village in Guangzhou—into a porous, multi-level architectural system. Rather than demolishing the existing fabric, the proposal translates its core elements—narrow alleys, informal commerce, community courtyards, and layered daily life—into a new vertical structure: the Village Loom. These elements maintain a sense of walkability and neighborhood intimacy within the vertical form.

At the ground level, traditional arcade-style structures are employed to create a more comfortable, and walkable pedestrian and commercial experience. This strategy helps reflect the original urban village’s everyday social and economic rhythms, preserving the close-knit interaction between residents.

As the structure rises, pedestrian walkways, vertical streets, and elevated gardens extend the logic of the alley into the air. Micro-courtyards, rooftop farms, and community platforms punctuate the vertical layers, offering light, air, and interaction at every level. These green and communal spaces are not decorative but essential—supporting community health, ecological compensation, and urban resilience.



Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning 2025 — Ann Arbor, US