One Lane, Two Lifestyles Research, Analysis and Reconstruction of Nanluogu Lane

摘要

This paper analyzes driving factors that caused Nanluogu Lane to change based on the research on the spot, discusses reasonability and sustainability of the changes, and proposes some initial reconstruction ideas while taking courtyard as its research object and meeting people's basic needs. Nanluogu Lane was built at the same time with the Yuandadu (the Capital of the Yuan Dynasty) (1267). As one of the oldest traditional historic districts in Beijing, Nanluogu Lane is the only quadrate yard architectural complex best preserved in China, maintaining the typical "Punnett square" layout of streets, lanes and courtyards in the Yuan Dynasty, with the biggest scale and the highest grade and richest resources. Current Nanluogu Lane district is one of 25 historic & cultural protected areas in the Planning of Beijing. Its north end joins Gulou Dongdajie (Drum Tower East Street), and the south end is connected to Di'anmen Dongdajie. The lane measures 786 meters in length and 6-12 meters in width. The whole district is a rectangular block surrounded by four streets where is exactly the location of the two dwelling districts of the Yuandadu. There are eight parallel sub-lanes in pairs on each side of Nanluogu Lane, making its overall layout a herringbone style. This architectural complex includes folk houses, residences of historical celebrities, gardens and parks, and university buildings distributed in the district. Currently, Nanluogu Lane has developed into one of famous special tourism areas of Beijing after reconstruction under the new planning guidelines and policies. With a large number of folk houses along the lane reconstructed into featured business establishments and the distribution of a good deal of bars along the street, it is also another famous bar street in Beijing. With the development of Nanluogu Lane, the current status of historic district protection also stirs up controversies from the local residents and outsiders.