This man is the owner of the house. His family has been here for multiple generations, and many of the construction projects in his home are his own handiwork. He is 62 years old. He is sitting in front of his door, feeding his rabbits Chinese cabbage (waiting for them to get fat enough to eat). He no longer raises pigeons because the feed is too expensive.
Notice the multiple 2nd story add-ons.
Television and internet boxes now line the outside of many hutong buildings.
The LiuJia Hutong is filled with self-constructed structures like these.
These men meet to play Chinese chess. Notice their innovative chair and table set up. They walk and set up with direction. It is likely that this game is a daily routine.
These houses weren’t built with electricity in mind. As the number of households and electrical needs have increased, so has the number of crisscrossing electrical wires.
Notice the multiple 2nd story add-ons.
These walls look like they have been repaired many times with many different techniques. Plants grow on the roof. Children’s play tiles again serve as convenient roof tops.
Our new elementary school friends gather to compare shoe sizes with Aiwa. ☺ These kids let us follow them home after school. Here’s a portion of their route: http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/Z8Q39Zkwmkc/ (password: humancity)
They, too, stop by our 1 man theatre friend. He lets them play his instruments and patiently teaches them.
Inside his home is well-preserved antique furniture.
This family has extended their roof for shade. There is a pigeon house on the roof that is no longer in use.
This innovative family has planted pumpkins on the electrical wires (dangerous much?). To make sure the pumpkins don’t fall, they have installed metal hangers/ cages around the pumpkins.
Hutong residents shop for groceries.
Visible changes in doors over the years.
This door to the left has been sealed close, perhaps because it is not safe/ ideal location.
Notice the multiple 2nd story add-ons.
Conveniently, you can even buy your seafood here!
Inside his home is well-preserved antique furniture.
These walls look like they have been repaired many times with many different techniques. Plants grow on the roof. Children’s play tiles again serve as convenient roof tops.
This old wooden door looks like it might be the original. On both sides are signs telling residents not to dispose of their leftover food on the public ground.
If you look carefully, the top left corner of this door indicates that it is a government protected building.
A project of the International Urbanization Seminar
