How does one demonstrate the impact socialism has had on Shanghais lilong spatial and community dynamics? Below are cross-sections of a single lilong unit before and after socialism (1949). The first is from the 1940s, unmodified and inhabited by a single (but large) bourgeois family. The second drawing is the same unit in the 1960s where five families (including the original tenants) of varying political labels then lived under the same roof with rooms continuously divided up to accomodate newly married couples. There are political dynamics at play in terms of who had the largest rooms and how resources are shared. Thanks to Jie Li, author of Shanghai Homes: Palimpsests of Private Life for allowing me to share this Stay tuned for an interview with her tomorrow!
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:24:21 +0000