BEIJING'S FORTIFICATION SYSTEM
Taking Down the City Walls
In 1949, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China was proclaimed by Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong. Many of the country’s ancient ideals were replaced by new Socialist values and old architectures lost their significance. In the Master Plan of Beijing that was published in 1958, the removal of city walls was proposed (5). Much debate took place about this suggestion. Historians as well as ordinary citizens believed that Beijing’s biggest and most important infrastructure was the city walls. While the city could be transformed with other developments, destroying the walls would be permanent and could not be undone (13). However, Mao believed that it is not worthwhile to mourn over disappearing ancient monuments. Rather, one should feel joyful for the erection of new infrastructures (8).
Under the Chairman's command, all but three towers were torn down to construct the Beijing Subway and the second ring road. What was left was a city with undifferentiated neighbourhoods that contained identical grey and simplistic buildings (13). These three-to-five-story high block-like buildings were constructed in compounds to accommodate for housing, production facilities, dining halls, and infirmaries for workers. Under the Communist regime, the city began to focus on production goals and worked towards the greater good of the state (4).
As private ownership was discouraged and no one owned private vehicles, few people traveled far distances beyond their compounds (7). Life in Beijing thus became very localized. People’s movement within the city was limited despite the fact that many of the walls that reinforced social divisions were now non-existent.
However, function specialization still existed in the city. Beijing’s east and south were dedicated to heavy industries, northwest for higher education, and west for governmental buildings. This division was more evident after 1979, when the economic reform took place. Embassy, housing for foreign business personnels, and any international activities took place in the east, while the west was reserved for domestic functions (4).