Reviewing the notion of progress in the quest for sustainability: the example of Chinese architecture
Abstract
Progress is a frequently admired concept in modern societies, yet defining and achieving it requires renewed consideration in the context of sustainability and low-carbon living. This paper suggests that in China, the modern concept of progress came as a result of certain historical events in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries when the country was trapped in crisis. This concept was useful in stimulating society at that time and contributed to the rapid development that followed, but whether it can still meet the new challenges of today’s China is questionable. Focusing on the discipline of architecture, this paper suggests that now is the time for a critical rethink of the concept of progress. There are valuable notions to be found in China’s history when addressing these challenges.
Keyword : progress, sustainability, architecture, critical review, China, history, dilemma
How to Cite
Li, M. (2019). Reviewing the notion of progress in the quest for sustainability: the example of Chinese architecture. Journal of Architecture and Urbanism, 43(2), 174-180. https://doi.org/10.3846/jau.2019.8820
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Benoist, A. de. (2008). A brief history of the idea of progress. The Occidental Quarterly, 8(1), 7-17.
Bury, J. (1987). The idea of progress: an inquiry into its origin and growth. North Chelmsford: Courier Corporation.
Cai, Y. (1984 first published in 1901). Xuetang jiaoke lun 学堂教科论 [On education]. In S. Gao (Ed.), Cai Yuanpei quanji 蔡元培全集 [The collection of Cai Yuanpei] (pp. 139-153). Beijing: Zhonghua shuju.
Cassirer, E., Kristeller, P., & Randall, J. (2011). The Renaissance philosophy of man: Petrarca, Valla, Ficino, Pico, Pomponazzi, Vives. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Centre for Energy Economics Research and Policy. (2019). BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019.
Cohen, G. (2000). Karl Marx’s theory of history. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
De Graaf, R. (2017). Four walls and a roof: the complex nature of a simple profession. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674982758
Ferraris, M., & Segre, A. (1988). Postmodernism and the deconstruction of modernism. Design Issues, 12-24. https://doi.org/10.2307/1511383
Frampton, K. (2007). The evolution of 20th century architecture. A synoptic account. New York: Springer.
Gastil, R. (1993). Progress: critical thinking about historical change. London: Praeger Westport.
Guo, F., & Hu, J. (2014). Guanyuanrenqi, zhengji yali he chengshi fangjia官员任期, 政绩压力和城市房价 [The pressure of tenure, performance of government and housing prices]: Jiyu zhongguo 35ge dazhongchengshi de jingyan yanjiu 基于中国 35 个大中城市的经验研究 [Based on the empirical research in 35 large and medium-sized cities in China]. Business Management Journal, (4), 9-18.
Hobsbawm, E. (1971). Primitive rebels: studies in archaic forms of social movement in the 19th and 20th centuries. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Huang, Q. (2017). Guanyu jianli fangdichan jichuxing zhidu he changxiao jizhi de ruogansikao 关于建立房地产基础性制度和长效机制的若干思考 [The establishment of basic system and long-term mechanism for real estate]. A report by the deputy director of National Peopl’s Congress’ Financial and Economic Committee, and first published by Fudan University.
Institute of Linguistics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. (2010). Xinhua Zidian 新华字典 [Xihua dictionary] (11th ed.). Beijing: The Commercial Press.
Jing, Z. (2011). Zhongguoshi dachaidajian 中国式大拆大建 [China’s disposable buildings]. The Legal System of the Government, (16), 44-46.
Le Corbusier (1931). Vers une architecture [Towards a New Architecture] (Vol. 1). Arthaud.
Le Quéré, C., Andrew, R., Friedlingstein, P., Sitch, S., Hauck, J., Pongratz, J., & Zheng, B. (2018). Global carbon budget 2018. Earth System Science Data, 10(4), 2141-2194. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-2141-2018
Liang, Q. (1989 first published between 1902 and 1906). Xin-min shuo: Lun jinbu 新民说·论进步 [The new citizen: On progress]. Yinbingshi heji 饮冰室合集 [The collection of Yin-bingshi]. Shanghai: Zhonghua shuju.
Liu, A. (Ed.). (2016 first published in ca. 139 BCE). Huainanzi 淮南子 [A collection of scholarly debates held at the court of Huainanzi]. Shanghai: Shanghai Guji Chubanshe.
Loos, A., & Opel, A. (1998). Ornament and crime: selected essays. Ariadne Press (CA).
Lv, S., Kong, D., & Nie, S. (2005 first published between 475 BCE and 221 BCE). Liutao 六韬 (1st ed.). Da Zhonghua wenku [Library of Chinese dassics]. Beijing: Junshi kexue chubanshe.
Lyotard, J. F. (2018). La condition Postmoderne: Rapport Sur Le Savoir. Paris: Minuit.
Marinetti, F. (1909). Manifesto of futurism. Le Figaro, 20, 39-40.
Morgan, L. (1907). Ancient society or researches in the lines of human progress from savagery through barbarism to civilization. New York: H. Holt.
Pan, G. (1932). Xing, hunyin, jiating de cunfei wenti 姓，婚姻，家庭的存废问题 [About the legitimacy of family name, marriage and family]. Zhongguo wenti 中国问题 [Chinese Issues]. Shanghai: Shanghai xinyue shudian.
Reeves, M. (1969). The influence of prophecy in the later middle ages. Oxford: Clarendon Press Oxford.
Richien, H., & Roser, M. (2018). Urbanization. Our World in Data.
Sant’Elia, A. (2008). Manifesto of futurist architecture. In F. Mangione & C. Rosponi (Eds.), Angiolo Mazzoni e l’architettura futurista (pp. 7-22). Rome: CE.S.A.R.
Sant’Elia, A., & Marinetti, F. (1970). 1914 Antonio Sant’Elia and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti: Futurist architecture. In U. Conrads (Ed.), Programs and manifestoes on 20th-century architecture (pp. 34-40). MIT Press.
Shan, J. (2006). Cong “dachaidajianshi jiuchenggaizao” dao “lishichengqu zhengti baohu”从 “大拆大建式旧城改造” 到 “历史城区整体保护” [From “reconstructing old cities by demolishing and building” to “the overall conservation of old cities”: Tantao lishi chengqu baohu de kexue tujing yu youji zhixu探讨历史城区保护的科学途径与有机秩序 [A discussion of methods and orders for the conservation of historical cities]. Wenwu 文物 [Cultural relics], (6), 36-48.
Shepard, W. (21 October, 2015). Half the houses will be demolished within 20 years: on the disposable cities of China. London: City Metric.
Shi, D. (2010 first published between 960 CE and 1127 CE). Jingdechuandenglu 景德传灯录 [Transmission of the lamp]. Shanghai: Shanghai shudian chubanshe.
Smil, V. (2016). Energy transition: global and national perspective. Praeger.
Spencer, H. (1896). The principles of biology (Vol. 1). D. Appleton. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.61144
Sun, Y.-s. (1994 first published in 1911). Xingyi zhinan lun 行易知难论 [To understand is difficult; to act is easy]. Jianguo fanglv 建国方略 [The international development of China]. Shenyang: Liaoning renmin chubanshe.
Suzuki, D. (2014). Measuring progress with GDP is a gross mistake. David Suzuki Foundation.
The World Bank. (2017). World population prospects.
Tylor, E. (1870). Researches into the early history of mankind and the development of civilization. London: John Murray.
Tylor, E. (1871). Primitive culture (Vol. 2). Murray. U.S. Department of the Interior & U.S. Geological Survey. (2018). Mineral commodity summaries 2018.
U.S. Geological Survey. (2019). Mineral commodity summaries.
United Nations. (2018). World urbanization prospects 2018.
United Nations. (2019). Population division.
Wang, R. (2011). Yi xiandai shoufa tantao shidaixing he diyuxing wenti 以现代手法探讨时代性和地域性问题–访清华大学建筑学院教授李晓东 [Exploring the spirit of time and regionalism with modern methods – an interview with Professor Li Xiaodong from Faculty of Architecture, Thinghua University]. Shejijia 设计家 [Designer], 2, 5.
WCED, U. (1987). Our common future. World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Weber, M. (1946). Science as a vocation. In Science and the Quest for Reality (pp. 382-394). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-25249-7_17
Weber, M. (1993). The sociology of religion. Boston: Beacon Press.
Wood, J. (1987). Karl Marx’s economics: critical assessments (Vol. 1): Psychology Press.
World Steel Association. (2019). Steel Statistics of the World 2019.
Wu, C.’e. (1980 first published in the 16th century). Xiyouji 西游记 [Journey to the West]. Zhongguo gudai xiaoshuo mingzhu chatu dianzang xilie: Vol. 2. Beijing: Renmin wenxue chubanshe.
Xi, J. (2017). Report for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Xiang, Z. (1965 first published between 1085CE and 1152 CE). Huanxisha 浣溪沙. In G. Tang (Ed.), Quan Song ci 全宋词 [The annotated corpus of the Song dynasty]. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju.
Xu, S. (2006 first published between 100 CE and 121 CE). Shuowen jiezi 说文解字 [Explaining and analysing Chinese text and characters]. Changsha: Yueji shushe.
Xu, Z. (1998 first published between 1279 CE and 1368 CE). Quan yuanqu 全元曲 [Collections of Yuan operas]. Shiji-azhuang: Hebei jiaoyu chubanshe.
Yan, F. (1986 first published in 1898). Yan Fu ji 严复集 [The collection of Yan Fu], Vol. 5. Tianyan lun 天演论 [Evolution and ethics based on Thomas Henry Huxley’s Evolution and Ethics]. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju.
Zhang, Y. (1957 first published between 618 CE and 906 CE). Zhang Yichao bianwen 张义潮变文 [Zhang Yichao transformation texts]. In Z. Wang (Ed.), Dunhuang bianwenji 敦煌变文集 [The collection of Dunhuang transformation texts]. Beijing: Renmin wenxue chubanshe.
Zhang, Y., Chen, T., & Li, G. (2005 first published in 1711). Yuding peiwen yunfu 御定佩文韵府 [Rime storehouse of esteemed phrases]. Qinding siku quanshu huiyao. Changchun: Jilin chuban jituan youxian zeren gongsi.
Zhu, X., & Long, W. (1998 first published in 1270 CE). Zhuzi yulei xuanzhu 朱子语类选注. Guilin: Guangxi shifan daxue chubanshe.
Zhu, Y., & Xu, D. (2013). Guanyuanjinshengyali, jinrong-shichanghuayufangjiazengzhang官员晋升压力, 金融市场化与房价增长 [The pressure of promotion, the marketisation and the growth of housing price. Jinrongyanjiu 金融研究 [Research on Finance], 1, 65-78.
Bury, J. (1987). The idea of progress: an inquiry into its origin and growth. North Chelmsford: Courier Corporation.
Cai, Y. (1984 first published in 1901). Xuetang jiaoke lun 学堂教科论 [On education]. In S. Gao (Ed.), Cai Yuanpei quanji 蔡元培全集 [The collection of Cai Yuanpei] (pp. 139-153). Beijing: Zhonghua shuju.
Cassirer, E., Kristeller, P., & Randall, J. (2011). The Renaissance philosophy of man: Petrarca, Valla, Ficino, Pico, Pomponazzi, Vives. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Centre for Energy Economics Research and Policy. (2019). BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2019.
Cohen, G. (2000). Karl Marx’s theory of history. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
De Graaf, R. (2017). Four walls and a roof: the complex nature of a simple profession. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. https://doi.org/10.4159/9780674982758
Ferraris, M., & Segre, A. (1988). Postmodernism and the deconstruction of modernism. Design Issues, 12-24. https://doi.org/10.2307/1511383
Frampton, K. (2007). The evolution of 20th century architecture. A synoptic account. New York: Springer.
Gastil, R. (1993). Progress: critical thinking about historical change. London: Praeger Westport.
Guo, F., & Hu, J. (2014). Guanyuanrenqi, zhengji yali he chengshi fangjia官员任期, 政绩压力和城市房价 [The pressure of tenure, performance of government and housing prices]: Jiyu zhongguo 35ge dazhongchengshi de jingyan yanjiu 基于中国 35 个大中城市的经验研究 [Based on the empirical research in 35 large and medium-sized cities in China]. Business Management Journal, (4), 9-18.
Hobsbawm, E. (1971). Primitive rebels: studies in archaic forms of social movement in the 19th and 20th centuries. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
Huang, Q. (2017). Guanyu jianli fangdichan jichuxing zhidu he changxiao jizhi de ruogansikao 关于建立房地产基础性制度和长效机制的若干思考 [The establishment of basic system and long-term mechanism for real estate]. A report by the deputy director of National Peopl’s Congress’ Financial and Economic Committee, and first published by Fudan University.
Institute of Linguistics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. (2010). Xinhua Zidian 新华字典 [Xihua dictionary] (11th ed.). Beijing: The Commercial Press.
Jing, Z. (2011). Zhongguoshi dachaidajian 中国式大拆大建 [China’s disposable buildings]. The Legal System of the Government, (16), 44-46.
Le Corbusier (1931). Vers une architecture [Towards a New Architecture] (Vol. 1). Arthaud.
Le Quéré, C., Andrew, R., Friedlingstein, P., Sitch, S., Hauck, J., Pongratz, J., & Zheng, B. (2018). Global carbon budget 2018. Earth System Science Data, 10(4), 2141-2194. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-10-2141-2018
Liang, Q. (1989 first published between 1902 and 1906). Xin-min shuo: Lun jinbu 新民说·论进步 [The new citizen: On progress]. Yinbingshi heji 饮冰室合集 [The collection of Yin-bingshi]. Shanghai: Zhonghua shuju.
Liu, A. (Ed.). (2016 first published in ca. 139 BCE). Huainanzi 淮南子 [A collection of scholarly debates held at the court of Huainanzi]. Shanghai: Shanghai Guji Chubanshe.
Loos, A., & Opel, A. (1998). Ornament and crime: selected essays. Ariadne Press (CA).
Lv, S., Kong, D., & Nie, S. (2005 first published between 475 BCE and 221 BCE). Liutao 六韬 (1st ed.). Da Zhonghua wenku [Library of Chinese dassics]. Beijing: Junshi kexue chubanshe.
Lyotard, J. F. (2018). La condition Postmoderne: Rapport Sur Le Savoir. Paris: Minuit.
Marinetti, F. (1909). Manifesto of futurism. Le Figaro, 20, 39-40.
Morgan, L. (1907). Ancient society or researches in the lines of human progress from savagery through barbarism to civilization. New York: H. Holt.
Pan, G. (1932). Xing, hunyin, jiating de cunfei wenti 姓，婚姻，家庭的存废问题 [About the legitimacy of family name, marriage and family]. Zhongguo wenti 中国问题 [Chinese Issues]. Shanghai: Shanghai xinyue shudian.
Reeves, M. (1969). The influence of prophecy in the later middle ages. Oxford: Clarendon Press Oxford.
Richien, H., & Roser, M. (2018). Urbanization. Our World in Data.
Sant’Elia, A. (2008). Manifesto of futurist architecture. In F. Mangione & C. Rosponi (Eds.), Angiolo Mazzoni e l’architettura futurista (pp. 7-22). Rome: CE.S.A.R.
Sant’Elia, A., & Marinetti, F. (1970). 1914 Antonio Sant’Elia and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti: Futurist architecture. In U. Conrads (Ed.), Programs and manifestoes on 20th-century architecture (pp. 34-40). MIT Press.
Shan, J. (2006). Cong “dachaidajianshi jiuchenggaizao” dao “lishichengqu zhengti baohu”从 “大拆大建式旧城改造” 到 “历史城区整体保护” [From “reconstructing old cities by demolishing and building” to “the overall conservation of old cities”: Tantao lishi chengqu baohu de kexue tujing yu youji zhixu探讨历史城区保护的科学途径与有机秩序 [A discussion of methods and orders for the conservation of historical cities]. Wenwu 文物 [Cultural relics], (6), 36-48.
Shepard, W. (21 October, 2015). Half the houses will be demolished within 20 years: on the disposable cities of China. London: City Metric.
Shi, D. (2010 first published between 960 CE and 1127 CE). Jingdechuandenglu 景德传灯录 [Transmission of the lamp]. Shanghai: Shanghai shudian chubanshe.
Smil, V. (2016). Energy transition: global and national perspective. Praeger.
Spencer, H. (1896). The principles of biology (Vol. 1). D. Appleton. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.61144
Sun, Y.-s. (1994 first published in 1911). Xingyi zhinan lun 行易知难论 [To understand is difficult; to act is easy]. Jianguo fanglv 建国方略 [The international development of China]. Shenyang: Liaoning renmin chubanshe.
Suzuki, D. (2014). Measuring progress with GDP is a gross mistake. David Suzuki Foundation.
The World Bank. (2017). World population prospects.
Tylor, E. (1870). Researches into the early history of mankind and the development of civilization. London: John Murray.
Tylor, E. (1871). Primitive culture (Vol. 2). Murray. U.S. Department of the Interior & U.S. Geological Survey. (2018). Mineral commodity summaries 2018.
U.S. Geological Survey. (2019). Mineral commodity summaries.
United Nations. (2018). World urbanization prospects 2018.
United Nations. (2019). Population division.
Wang, R. (2011). Yi xiandai shoufa tantao shidaixing he diyuxing wenti 以现代手法探讨时代性和地域性问题–访清华大学建筑学院教授李晓东 [Exploring the spirit of time and regionalism with modern methods – an interview with Professor Li Xiaodong from Faculty of Architecture, Thinghua University]. Shejijia 设计家 [Designer], 2, 5.
WCED, U. (1987). Our common future. World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Weber, M. (1946). Science as a vocation. In Science and the Quest for Reality (pp. 382-394). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-25249-7_17
Weber, M. (1993). The sociology of religion. Boston: Beacon Press.
Wood, J. (1987). Karl Marx’s economics: critical assessments (Vol. 1): Psychology Press.
World Steel Association. (2019). Steel Statistics of the World 2019.
Wu, C.’e. (1980 first published in the 16th century). Xiyouji 西游记 [Journey to the West]. Zhongguo gudai xiaoshuo mingzhu chatu dianzang xilie: Vol. 2. Beijing: Renmin wenxue chubanshe.
Xi, J. (2017). Report for the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.
Xiang, Z. (1965 first published between 1085CE and 1152 CE). Huanxisha 浣溪沙. In G. Tang (Ed.), Quan Song ci 全宋词 [The annotated corpus of the Song dynasty]. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju.
Xu, S. (2006 first published between 100 CE and 121 CE). Shuowen jiezi 说文解字 [Explaining and analysing Chinese text and characters]. Changsha: Yueji shushe.
Xu, Z. (1998 first published between 1279 CE and 1368 CE). Quan yuanqu 全元曲 [Collections of Yuan operas]. Shiji-azhuang: Hebei jiaoyu chubanshe.
Yan, F. (1986 first published in 1898). Yan Fu ji 严复集 [The collection of Yan Fu], Vol. 5. Tianyan lun 天演论 [Evolution and ethics based on Thomas Henry Huxley’s Evolution and Ethics]. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju.
Zhang, Y. (1957 first published between 618 CE and 906 CE). Zhang Yichao bianwen 张义潮变文 [Zhang Yichao transformation texts]. In Z. Wang (Ed.), Dunhuang bianwenji 敦煌变文集 [The collection of Dunhuang transformation texts]. Beijing: Renmin wenxue chubanshe.
Zhang, Y., Chen, T., & Li, G. (2005 first published in 1711). Yuding peiwen yunfu 御定佩文韵府 [Rime storehouse of esteemed phrases]. Qinding siku quanshu huiyao. Changchun: Jilin chuban jituan youxian zeren gongsi.
Zhu, X., & Long, W. (1998 first published in 1270 CE). Zhuzi yulei xuanzhu 朱子语类选注. Guilin: Guangxi shifan daxue chubanshe.
Zhu, Y., & Xu, D. (2013). Guanyuanjinshengyali, jinrong-shichanghuayufangjiazengzhang官员晋升压力, 金融市场化与房价增长 [The pressure of promotion, the marketisation and the growth of housing price. Jinrongyanjiu 金融研究 [Research on Finance], 1, 65-78.