Chinese Shopfronts in European Urban Contexts: Spatial Elements and Human Experience

Ziyu Yuan

Chinese Shopfronts in European Urban Contexts: Spatial Elements and Human Experience

Institut for Kunst- og Kulturvidenskab

Publikation: Ph.d.-afhandling

Abstract

Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan kinesiske butiksfaçader, der her betragtes som visuelle repræsentationer af kinesisk kultur i Europa, indlejres i europæiske urbane sammenhænge.
Sådanne butiksfaçader tjener nok økonomiske formål, men fungerer også som
grænseflader på gadeniveau, hvor de fremviser kinesisk kultur for et europæisk publikum. Gennem analyse af butiksfaçadernes historiske udvikling, deres nøgleelementer, deres rumlige fordeling og byboeres opfattelser af dem er undersøgelsen struktureret af fire spørgsmål, der hver behandles i særskilte kapitler.
Første kapitel opsporer den historiske udvikling af kinesiske kommercielle rum og undersøger, hvordan butiksfacader udviklede sig som reaktion på økonomiske, kulturelle og politiske faktorer samt under inddragelse af æstetiske elementer såsom kalligrafi.
Andet kapitel analyserer de vigtigste elementer i butiksfacader i Londons Chinatown og blotlægger et felt af kulturelle symboler, som både fremmer handelen og påvirker opfattelsen af kinesisk kultur.
Tredje kapitel undersøger den rumlige fordeling af kinesiske butiksfacader i Paris med særligt henblik på deres integration i forskellige kvarterer og på deres afspejling af kinesiske handlendes interaktion med urbane rum.
Fjerde kapitel undersøger københavneres opfattelser af kinesiske butiksfacader, der fungerer som grænseflader mellem danske og kinesiske aktører, hvis møde materialiseres i kommercielle overflader.
Med afsæt i hovedspørgsmålet: “Hvordan indlejres kinesiske butiksfaçader i
europæiske urbane sammenhænge? ”, sammenfatter det afsluttende kapitel
undersøgelsens indsigter i, hvordan kinesiske butiksfaçader kan gøres til genstand for akademisk udforskning som rumlige elementer, som led i menneskelig oplevelse og som kulturel repreæsentation.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Udgivelsessted	København
Udgiver	Københavns Universitet
Status	Udgivet - 30 aug. 2024

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title = "Chinese Shopfronts in European Urban Contexts: Spatial Elements and Human Experience",

abstract = "This dissertation explores how Chinese shopfronts – visual representations of Chinese communities in Europe – are embedded in European urban contexts. These shopfronts serve economic purposes but also function as interfaces at street level where they showcase Chinese culture to European audiences. Through a multifaceted analysis of shopfronts, focusing on their historical evolution, their key elements, their spatial distribution, and city dwellers' perceptions of them, the present research is structured around four primary questions, each of which is addressed in a dedicated chapter.Chapter One traces the historical development of Chinese commercial spaces, examining how shopfronts evolved in response to economic, cultural, and political factors, as well as how they include aesthetic elements like calligraphy. Chapter Two analyzes the key elements of shopfronts in London{\textquoteright}s Chinatown, revealing a rich terrain of cultural symbols that both facilitate commerce and impact public understanding of Chinese culture and community.Chapter Three investigates the spatial distribution of Chinese shopfronts in Paris, highlighting their integration within diverse neighborhoods and their reflection of the Chinese communities' interaction with the urban fabric.Chapter Four explores Copenhageners' perceptions, showing how Chinese shopfronts serve as interfaces between Danish and Chinese communities by way of materialized communication through commercial facades.Parting from the overarching research question: “How are Chinese shopfronts embedded in European urban contexts?”, the concluding chapter synthesizes the findings that offer insight into the spatial elements, human experience, and cultural representation of Chinese shopfronts in Europe, thus advancing a scholarly approach to the subject.",

author = "Ziyu Yuan",

year = "2024",

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language = "English",

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AU - Yuan, Ziyu

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N2 - This dissertation explores how Chinese shopfronts – visual representations of Chinese communities in Europe – are embedded in European urban contexts. These shopfronts serve economic purposes but also function as interfaces at street level where they showcase Chinese culture to European audiences. Through a multifaceted analysis of shopfronts, focusing on their historical evolution, their key elements, their spatial distribution, and city dwellers' perceptions of them, the present research is structured around four primary questions, each of which is addressed in a dedicated chapter.Chapter One traces the historical development of Chinese commercial spaces, examining how shopfronts evolved in response to economic, cultural, and political factors, as well as how they include aesthetic elements like calligraphy. Chapter Two analyzes the key elements of shopfronts in London’s Chinatown, revealing a rich terrain of cultural symbols that both facilitate commerce and impact public understanding of Chinese culture and community.Chapter Three investigates the spatial distribution of Chinese shopfronts in Paris, highlighting their integration within diverse neighborhoods and their reflection of the Chinese communities' interaction with the urban fabric.Chapter Four explores Copenhageners' perceptions, showing how Chinese shopfronts serve as interfaces between Danish and Chinese communities by way of materialized communication through commercial facades.Parting from the overarching research question: “How are Chinese shopfronts embedded in European urban contexts?”, the concluding chapter synthesizes the findings that offer insight into the spatial elements, human experience, and cultural representation of Chinese shopfronts in Europe, thus advancing a scholarly approach to the subject.

AB - This dissertation explores how Chinese shopfronts – visual representations of Chinese communities in Europe – are embedded in European urban contexts. These shopfronts serve economic purposes but also function as interfaces at street level where they showcase Chinese culture to European audiences. Through a multifaceted analysis of shopfronts, focusing on their historical evolution, their key elements, their spatial distribution, and city dwellers' perceptions of them, the present research is structured around four primary questions, each of which is addressed in a dedicated chapter.Chapter One traces the historical development of Chinese commercial spaces, examining how shopfronts evolved in response to economic, cultural, and political factors, as well as how they include aesthetic elements like calligraphy. Chapter Two analyzes the key elements of shopfronts in London’s Chinatown, revealing a rich terrain of cultural symbols that both facilitate commerce and impact public understanding of Chinese culture and community.Chapter Three investigates the spatial distribution of Chinese shopfronts in Paris, highlighting their integration within diverse neighborhoods and their reflection of the Chinese communities' interaction with the urban fabric.Chapter Four explores Copenhageners' perceptions, showing how Chinese shopfronts serve as interfaces between Danish and Chinese communities by way of materialized communication through commercial facades.Parting from the overarching research question: “How are Chinese shopfronts embedded in European urban contexts?”, the concluding chapter synthesizes the findings that offer insight into the spatial elements, human experience, and cultural representation of Chinese shopfronts in Europe, thus advancing a scholarly approach to the subject.

M3 - Ph.D. Thesis

PB - Københavns Universitet

CY - København

ER -