Research on the Development of Cities and Architecture in the Open Ports (International Settlements and Foreign Concessions) of East Asia

Abstract

In the past, to get from one country to another, a long journey on a ship was required. Trade between countries was also done using ships, which transported cargo via shipping routes across the globe. Ports in specific countries accommodated trade, including in East Asia where many were opened as a result of unequal treaties with western powers. Treaty ports were often agreed after western powers such as the UK and nUS defeated military powers in China, Japan and Korea and terms favouring the successful nations were agreed. Foreigners would arrive into the treaty ports, and commodities such as restaurants, foreigners clubs, churches and racecourses were built for these new citizens. Ultimately, colonisation occurred, with areas in China, Japan and Korea being commandeered by Western ways of life. A team of researchers led by Professor An-Suk Son, Research Center for Non Written Cultural Materials, Kanagawa University, Japan, is looking at the open ports of East Asia, investigating the history and architecture of the Japanese consulate, banks, schools, hospitals and spinning companies. A key focus for the researchers is on buildings that were developed during the time of foreign settlement. Previous studies that have been done in this area have tended to focus on Shanghai in China, Yokohama in Japan and Incheon in Korea, and Son's research is innovative in that it uses new materials that have emerged in the years since, such as English newspapers, magazines, pictures, leaflets and photo books. The team also plants to build on previous studies to include places such as Qingdao and Guangzhou.