Loft living in Hangzhou: fitting in an inclusive and affordable practice

Abstract

Loft living in Hangzhou, while sharing a similar name with its western counterpart, comprises a type of residential unit with unique spatial and cultural features that correspond with Chinese fast development and societal changes. The thesis argues that living in lofts in Hangzhou is driven by more than fashion; instead, the typology of loft living indicates the swift ever-changing demographic, cultural, economic, and urban patterns of major Chinese cities in recent decades. In a hyper-competitive, hyper-stressed city, loft living offers a more inclusive and affordable practice that not only helps immigrants from outside the city overcome the hukou barriers to becoming an urban house-owner but also provides pedestrian-based spatial amenities that make the traditional/modern disjuncture visible in the urban fabric and contrasts with the now conventional gated residential communities; loft living allows “non-conformists,” the unmarried, and the “creative class” to live better in the cities in their preferred lifestyles that challenge the traditional core family values. The thesis suggests that the city planners should acknowledge the rising diversity among the public and consider planning a gender-conscious and inclusive cityscape that embraces various housing types to accommodate diverse lifestyles.