AAR 4507 Urban Transition and Conservation in Xi’an,

China is undergoing a strong economic development and one of the most powerful urbanization processes the world ever has experienced. New areas are being built with a dense urban structure, while Chinese cities are undergoing a significant transformation process. Old residential areas with traditional courtyard houses (hutong), are being replaced by modern apartment blocks where attractive homes and irreplaceable cultural heritage are about to be lost. AAR 4507 Urban Transition and Conservation in Xi’an, China

The course "Urban Transition and Conservation in Xi'an" is based on a long term cooperation with Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology in China, a joint course with 50 % Chinese students The course is studying an old "hutong- area" in Beilin District in the center of the old imperial city of Xi'an. AAR 4804 Architecture and Anthropology (mandatory) and AAR 4825 Building Documentation and Analyses (optional) also form basis for the course.

The , The City Wall and The Giant Wild Goose AAR 4507 Urban Transition and Conservation in Xi’an, China Learning outcomes:

Knowledge: Through studies of a Chinese neighborhood understand conflicts and possibilities in a strong urban development between urban transitions and protection of urban heritage in a new culture and a challenging international context.

Skills: Learn how to develop objectives, strategies and measures for a sustainable development of the urban environment and heritage.

Competence: Develop the ability to recognize and assess the values of the urban environment and heritage in an unknown culture, in new roles and new fields of urban environment protection. AAR 4507 Urban Transition and Conservation in Xi’an, China

The course aims to prepare a conservation plan for a neighborhood which also will facilitate a modern way of living. The project will be based on:

• Fieldwork. Mapping and documentation of the physical structures (AAR 4825) • Assessing values and structural condition • Discussing aims and strategies for developing the area • Proposals for transition and conservation of the neighborhood

Example of an old courtyard house, “hutong ” Semester program:

Week 34: 22. 09. Information about the program and start of AAR 4804 23. 09. Start of AAR 4825 (Building Documentation and Analyses) Week 35: Monday and Friday: AAR 4804 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday , AAR xxxx Week 36: Monday and Friday: AAR 4804 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday , AAR xxxx Week 37: Departure for China in three groups to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing. Week 38: Arrival Xi’an Semester program:

Week 38: Field work in Beilin District, Xi’an on AAR 4804 (Lisbet Sauarlia) Week 39: Field work on AAR 4825 (Xiao Li and Dag Kittang) Week 40: Field work on AAR 4507 (Xiao Li and Dag Kittang) Week 41: Field work on AAR 4507 (Xiao Li and Wang Yu) Week 42: 23.10. Presentation and evaluation of the documentation and analyses Week 43: 24.10. Return to Norway Week 44 – 48: Studio work. Preparing proposals for developing the neighborhood Week 49: Presentation and evaluation Practical information:

Teachers: Dag Kittang and Wang Yu (NTNU) Xiao Li and Liu Kecheng (XAUAT)

External partners: Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology (XAUAT)

Knowledge course I: AAR 4804 Architecture and Anthropology (mandatory) Knowledge course II: AAR 4825 Building Documentation and Analyses (optional)

Number of students: 15 from NTNU, 15 from XAUAT

Expenses: Flight tickets: around 6-8 000 NOK Accommodation at student home in Xi’an ca 100 NOK / night Travel grants from Statens lånekasse to Norwegian students 11 365 (grants) + 4871 (loan) = 16236 NOK

Language: English NB! Visa! Beilin