China's Railway Transformation: History, Culture Changes and Urban Development

This book explores China's railway transformation through history, culture changes, and urban development, focusing on the impact of high-speed rail (HSR) infrastructure on Chinese cities. It assesses eleven important HSR stations built between 2008 and 2018, comparing them to stations in Europe. The book aims to analyze how HSR infrastructures have affected the development of Chinese urban contexts and investigate the peculiarities of the new HSR stations in China in comparison to those in Europe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate history of China's railway transformation, encompassing not only the technical advancements but also the profound cultural shifts and urban development that have shaped the country. It begins by providing a comprehensive background of China, tracing the historical roots and remarkable growth of railway development across five pivotal phases.

Next, the book delves into the fascinating cultural transformations that have occurred within the railway carriage, exploring how these changes are interconnected with social equality and national provisions. The core of this book revolves around analyzing the Chinese urban transformation through the development of high-speed rail (HSR) infrastructure.

To achieve this, eleven significant new HSR stations located in mainland China, along with the newly constructed Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, have been carefully selected as case studies. These stations, built between 2008 and 2018, provide a rich context for examining how HSR infrastructures have influenced the development of the Chinese urban landscape.

The book proceeds to conduct in-depth analyses and assessments of these selected case studies. It explores the strategic locations and the successful strategies employed to promote urban development, shedding light on the impact of HSR infrastructures on the growth and evolution of cities.

Furthermore, the book delves into the unique characteristics of the new HSR stations in China when compared to stations in Europe. It establishes an assessment framework to comparatively evaluate the Chinese case studies with significant cases in Europe, taking into account various factors such as the urban structure, architectural quality, functional diversity, and the quality of public space generated in the surrounding area.

Through its comprehensive exploration of China's railway transformation, cultural changes, and urban development, this book offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics that have shaped the country's development. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and policymakers interested in understanding the intricate relationship between transportation, culture, and urbanization in China and beyond.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367076948