Actually I love Nanjing, I just think it could be better….

I read an article by a Spanish architect who designed one of the new towns in Shanghai, in Fengxian District – his firm had submitted design proposals before in Beijing be always lost the competitions because their designs were too ‘traditional’ and not ‘modern’ enough. They won the Fengxian design because it was very ‘modern’ and new looking. Apparently it seems that that is what some city leaders want.

I suppose the tunnel is an attempt at creating some sort of ‘ring-road’ around the city to divert through traffic. I’ve never driven it, so it is difficult to really know it’s function.

I do like the connectivity of the green spaces though, especially between Zijin Shan and Xuan Wu, Ji Ming Si and Gulou gong yuan. You should see where I am right now….man…Yangpu is pretty bad for planning – not much greenspace…too many large boulevards…nothing is connected.

I have yet to visit Hangzhou and Xi Hu – I should. I’ve heard it is quite commercial though – that is one thing I like about Nanjing’s wall…it’s still quite public and non-commercialized.

Actually, i have to say Nanjing may have the best natual resources in China: Xuwu Lake, Zijin Mountain, Chang jiang, Qinhuai River, I haven’t found another city who has the same components. however, it has really bad city planning. of course, it is only my personal views.

Comparing with Hangzhou, Nanjing’s city planning sucks. Especially the planning around the Xuanwu lake. NanJiang once had a slogan like ” Making (Xuanwu)Lake exposed, making (Ming)Wall visible” . it is good plan. the view now you can see in front of Nanjing railway station may be a successful example. However, except for that part, I didn’t see any considerable changes around the Ming Wall—acollection of messy flat houses are still everywhere and most of Ming Wall are still hidden in the chaos. Moreover, nanjing may have the worst designing of skyscrapers in China. Just take the Gulou zon for instance, which biulding do you think they are classic enough to be a ” landmark” ? Greenland Plaza? i don’t mean to hurt your “basy” but he is way too ugly…I hate that mansion…turely….

There are many jokes in Najing’s city planning such as Nanjing Xuanwu tunnel on Zhong yang Road, the Peach Mansion on Beijing east Road, and including my office on Beijing west Road. .. They are really classic laughstocks….

Another point I want to address is nanjing city shouldn’t have bulit some many seemingly “modern” skycraper” around the Xuanwu Lake” , sometimes you just feel they are totally out of harmony. If you hit Huangzhou City and walk around West Lake, you can have utterly different feeling —-everything is just wonderful !

Sorry for my whining, but it is my ture thoughts..Don’t take it personally…