Talk On — Debates in Anthropology Seeking a Future for the Past w/ Philipp Demgenski
Dec 5, 2024
Philipp Demgenski, a postdoctoral researcher and author, discusses his ethnographic research on urban redevelopment in Qingdao, China. He delves into the transformation of Dabaodao, exploring its colonial past and the complexities of preserving heritage amidst bureaucratic challenges. Key themes include the ambivalence of local residents towards relocation, the vulnerability of migrant tenants, and the pitfalls of fragmented governance in redevelopment projects. Demgenski also shares insights on the role of preservationists and critiques the notion that heritage alone can solve urban issues.
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Colonial Design Shapes Modern Qingdao
- Qingdao's built environment reflects a short but intense colonial past that shapes its present identity.
- Studying a single neighborhood reveals how colonial-era planning produced lasting spatial and social divisions.
Liyuan Houses: Hybrid Colonial Architecture
- Dabaodao preserves Liyuan courtyard houses that mixed migrants' regional styles under colonial regulations.
- These hybrid architectures persisted and later became the focus of heritage interest.
Ground-Level Ethnography In Dabaodao
- Philipp Demgenski lived in a courtyard room and embedded himself in daily life to build rapport.
- He brushed his teeth at communal taps and later moved to structured interviews after months of hanging out.
