Many Beijing people are now concerned that, at thè current rate, redevelopment will soon engulf and destroy thè ancient courtyard houses forever.

Many cities worldwide have found that rehabilitation, rather than renewal of historic urban districts brings considerable benefìts. This plan sets out to demonstrate that rehabilitation is also suitable for Beijing. This thesis is trying to do an exploratory attempt of using Europe experience (focus on Italy example) on historic Beijing Hutong neighborhood. The opinions of residents have been carefully researched and integrated into thè plan. Morphology analysis will be considered in order to respectful with thè pre-existing historical values. Some of thè solutions proposed are self-contained, and could be used for thè rehabilitation of individual courtyard houses. In order to preserve thè character of a historic Beijing neighborhood, however, a larger cluster of Hutong neighborhoods must be targeted. This must be done with considerable urgency before thè incursion of more major roads destroys thè Hutongs’ original urban context. The value of thè Hutong lies in thè spatial arrangement as much or more than in thè architecture of thè individual courtyard house. Therefore, concerned parties must be very clear from thè outset about which remaining quarters of historic Beijing they intend to preserve.

Beijing is one of thè world’s most important historical cities, with a unique ambience balancing ancient and modem. Having reached this point of balance, Beijing planners must surely pause for thought. It would indeed be a great loss if this ancient capital were to become just another face-less mega-city.