Jujube farm tourism village : a multifunctional agri-tourism farm in Zaozhuang, Shandong, P.R.C.

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTION: How can the architectural design of an agri-tourism farm show sensitivity to culture, history and site to be more attractive in contemporary China?

ABSTRACT: With China’s rapid urbanization, urban dwellers are far away from rural culture and the agricultural environment. Especially young urban dwellers who are growing up in an urban area, know little about agriculture. The tension and pressure of urban life also make urban dwellers eager to return to nature and the countryside. Meanwhile, the traditional agricultural industry is not enough to meet the needs of rural development, so young people often choose to leave the countryside for better employment opportunities.

Agri-tourism provides urban dwellers opportunities to engage in rural life and understand agriculture. It is a way to promote the economy in the area dominated by agriculture and create more job opportunities. My research focuses on how the architectural design of an agri-tourism farm can show sensitivity to culture, history, and site to be more attractive in contemporary China. The tourism farm experience is becoming more diverse today than the traditional tourism farm which just has sightseeing and picking experiences. Visitors expect more experiences, such as learning some knowledge or doing some handmade things. The tourism farm has also become a resort place where urban dwellers can take a break from their everyday lives. Living on the farm allows them to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, get relaxation and leisure, and experience more rural life.

The site of the project is in my hometown, Zaozhuang, and based on jujube which is the traditional cultivation of Zaozhuang. Included will be: • Exploring jujube-related and other agriculture-related experiences to provide interesting experience for visitors. • Creating architectural space according to the natural features of the site, river, and jujube farm. • Allowing visitors to experience the rural life – back to nature and the countryside. • Through the exploration process of the project, find out how to design a more attractive agri-tourism in contemporary China.