The modernization process and transformation of the space of old town of Xi’an: a historical research on the Xijing construction (1932–1945)
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: In 1932, Xi’an was designated as the auxiliary capital and renamed “Xijing”Footnote11 Xijing（西京）means “Western Capital”, When a dynasty implements the system of two capitals or multiple capitals, the naming of the capital and the secondary capital is based on the relative direction of the capital city. In China, “Xijing” usually refers to the ancient capital of Chang’an during the 13 dynasties (now Xi’an). Xi’an is also the city that has used the term “Xijing” for the longest time. initiated a period of swift urban development, now recognized as the “Xijing Construction Period”Footnote22 The decision was made during the Second Plenary Session of the Fourth National Congress of the Kuomintang in 1932, stating: “Chang’an shall be the provisional capital, renamed Xijing,” and appointing Zhang Ji and others to form the “Xijing Preparatory Committee” responsible for urban construction in Xi’an. On March 19, 1945, the National Government issued Order No. 188, “dissolving the Xijing Preparatory Committee and transferring its original work to the Shaanxi Provincial Government,” marking the end of the construction of Xijing as the provisional capital. in academia. During this era, authorities, along with relevant planners and engineers executed a series of construction activities in Xi’an, including road construction, new urban area development, zoning planning, and the preservation of urban heritage, thereby adding a modern touch into the city’s ancient and traditional Chinese fabric. “Xijing Construction” is an important part for understanding the modernization process of Xi’an’s urban space. By reviewing of local history books and newspapers, this paper delineates the specific timeline, process, and content of the construction period. It further interprets the changes of Xi’an’s old town space through the redrawing of historical maps, illustrating how traditional urban space transitioned from being confined to expanding and connecting beyond the city walls. Finally, the paper concludes with a discussion on the evolution of the old city area’s urban function distribution and its ongoing influence on Xi’an’s current urban form.
Author: Ying Shu
Institution: University of Tsukuba
Language: English
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,165
OpenAlex ID: W4405796943