Towards an Open Block Space: An Analysis of Derivative Problems of Super-Large Closed Communities

In the wake of an extensive, growth-driven urban development paradigm, countless super-sized gated residential compounds have sprung up. As China’s cities have expanded rapidly, the attendant problems associated with these enclaves have become increasingly acute. Responding to the State Council’s directive that “new residential developments should in principle adopt a block-based layout and refrain from constructing walled compounds,” this paper reviews and clarifies the concept, attributes and significance of the “open block,” and traces the historical evolution of Chinese residential districts. It argues that Chinese society has consistently favoured open collective-housing models. After synthesising the manifold drawbacks of today’s mega-scale gated communities, the study examines, from the perspectives of block scale, boundary walls and design codes, the inevitability of China’s transition toward open urban blocks. Finally, it summarises the principal difficulties and challenges encountered in the implementation of open-block schemes.