STRUCTURAL REASONS OF CURRENT UPGRADING: URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL IMAGES OF THE CHINESE CITY CHONGQING FROM 1949 UNTIL 1980

Abstract

Belonging to a small group of privileged Chinese cities, Chongqing covers a big economic role for the development of the South-west, since the “Open up the West” policy was launched in 1997. In correspondence with the new economic role, the city has also gained a higher political position among the bigger Chinese cities, becoming at that time a new Municipality. The city itself knew thus a 'redefinition' in landscape borders and economic image, fact that should though be seen as a “Renaissance” attempt granted by the Central Government. In this article we would like to offer a new perspective of this city, whose importance in Chinese scenery is most of the time misunderstood by foreigners: a deeper insight into Chongqing history could therefore offer a chance to reflect on the controversial recent phenomena that have affected this territory. Our interest is directed to the analysis of urban and industrial changes on the background of the establishment of the People Republic of China in 1949, from the concept of Danwei to the re-allocation of the industrial apparatus, and concluding with a section dedicated to the performance of Communist 'propaganda rites' behind the urban grid.