Arranging residential interstices in Beijing

T. Sun (School of Arts and Design, Xuzhou) considers social cohesion, proximity relations and security within the interstitial spaces in the new residential compounds in Beijing. Based on the analysis of the physical structure of the space within Beijing’s traditional districts, more suitable for relations between neighbors, the author suggests the implementation of design and landscape components within these new compounds in order to attract residents into those spaces and to improve social cohesion as well as security.

The author also insists on the importance of actively involving residents in the process of arranging and designing these semi-public spaces.