城門新村

“Urban villages.” That’s the key to understanding Chengmen New Village in Shenzhen. These unique communities, known as *chengzhongcun*, are pockets of older development surrounded by the modern metropolis. Chengmen New Village is one such *chengzhongcun*. It exemplifies the complex interplay between Shenzhen’s rapid urbanization and its historical roots. Originally, Shenzhen, including the area now occupied by Chengmen New Village, was part of Bao’an County. The area was primarily composed of Cantonese and Hakka villages, along with boat-dwelling communities. Chengmen New Village embodies this older, village-based structure. Shenzhen’s transformation began in 1980 when it was designated China’s first Special Economic Zone. This sparked an unprecedented influx of migrants seeking opportunity. Chengmen New Village became a destination for many, offering affordable housing and a sense of community. As Shenzhen grew, the urban villages became increasingly integrated into the city fabric. The residents of Chengmen New Village, like those in other urban villages, gained Shenzhen hukou, becoming official residents of the city. However, the land itself often remained under collective village ownership, leading to a unique urban form. Villagers constructed multi-story buildings on their homestead plots, renting them out to migrants, creating the dense “handshake buildings” that characterize many urban villages. Chengmen New Village reflects this architectural style. While lacking formal planning, these areas offer a vibrant street life and a blend of commercial and residential activity. Today, Chengmen New Village stands as a reminder of Shenzhen’s past, existing within the modern, high-tech city. It demonstrates the ongoing tension between the “local,” represented by the older village structure, and the “locality,” defined by the city government.