Constructing, creating and contesting cityscapes

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Madlen Kobi examines the architectural and socio-political changes in public spaces in rapidly urbanizing southern Xinjiang, focusing on Aksu and Kaxgar. This region, positioned between China and Central Asia, is marked by diverse political, cultural, and religious influences, as well as multiple identities due to its multiethnic composition. While one might expect cultural identities to be expressed through history, religion, or cuisine, they also manifest in the construction, reconstruction, and demolition of public places and architectural landmarks. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork from 2011 and 2012, the study delves into everyday life within an evolving urban landscape shaped by the interests of government entities, investment firms, the middle class, and migrant workers, among others. Urban planning, modernization, and renewal serve as critical lenses for analyzing the complex dynamics of ethnic, religious, and class affiliations. Kobi acknowledges the intricacies of these transformations, grounding them in the lived experiences of residents. The research offers compelling insights into how urban spaces in this western border region of China are constructed, shaped, and contested.