(A) semiotic approach to Wukang road in Shanghai

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Many Chinese may tend to avoid the term “colonization” since it is a notorious humiliation for them. However, as a result of the conflict between Western hegemony and local chauvinism, it caused the modernization that turned a fishing village into a prosperous modern metropolis. Combining both local and foreign culture, it spurred the process of modernization and urbanization of the whole Shanghai city.
This thesis will utilize urban semiotic methodology which has been proven to be a unique method when approaching urban space. The relation between spatial form and the culture embraced within it will be the logical starting point. Wukang Road, which is located in French Concession, will be the object of this thesis. A special emphasis will be laid on the signification of urban space and culture. Although it is only the tip of the iceberg, something meaningful and valuable is expectable to be discovered, theoretically and socially, through this thesis.
Based on semiotic theory, the thesis aims to discuss the signification of urban space and culture development by analyzing the evolution of the Wukang Road and its semantic characteristics.
Chapter One gives an overview of this thesis. It states the research background of it, including a brief introduction on Shanghai culture and the subject of this thesis—Wukang Road. The purpose of this study is also stated.
Chapter Two introduces the theoretical foundation, covering basic concepts of urban semiotics, and is divided into the application of urban semiotics and studies on Shanghai culture and history, as well as a description of the methodology which will be applied in this thesis.
After covering the theory and methodology of urban semiotics, Chapter Three to Chapter Five comprise the semiotic analysis of this thesis. Chapter Three analyzes Shanghai’s spatial form from the perspective of morphology, including the environment and spatial organization of Wukang Road area, which can be considered as the “form of expression” and “substance of expression”.
Going further, Chapter Four explores the entity of Shanghai culture reflected by its spatial form. As a “form of content”, distinctive characteristics of Shanghai culture will be discussed from the perspective of semantics.
Transmutation of power, which is regarded as the “substance of culture” in this case, is the thorniest part, given the hypothesis that culture is entangled with history and changes in the dynamic game of power. In Chapter Five, Wukang Road will be examined as a sign system from the perspective of pragmatics.
Chapter Six consists of the conclusion of this thesis and proposals for future studies. On the premise of urban space as a typical sign system, it is expected to demonstrate the effectiveness of a semiotic approach in detecting the cultural connotations behind the spatial form.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Table of Contents
• List of Tables
• List of Figures
• 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………….1
• 1.1 Overview………………………………………………..…….…1
• 1.2 Research Object and Purpose…………………………….…… ..5
• 1.2.1 Research Object……….……..……………………….5
• 1.2.2 Purpose and Meaning of the Research ………….……8
• 1.3 Previous Studies…………………………………..……………..9
• 1.3.1 Application Studies on Urban Semiotics………… ….9
• 1.3.2 Studies on Shanghai Culture and History……………12
• 1.4 Organization……………………………………………..……..14
• 2. Theoretical Foundation ………………………………………….…..…17
• 2.1 Understanding of Urban Semiotics………………………….….17
• 2.2 Methodology……………………………………………………20
• 2.2.1 Discussion on Linguistics and Structuralism….….…20
• 2.2.2 Framework…………………………………………..23
• 3. Morphological Analysis: Material Form of Wukang Road…………..28
• 3.1 Architectural Style and Environment ………………………… 28
• 3.2 Spatial Form………………….……………………………….. 37
• 3.2.1 Spatial Structure…………………………………….37
• 3.2.2 Function……………………………………………..48
• 3.2.2.1 Residential Space…………………………49
• 3.2.2.2 Symbolic Space…………………………..50
• 3.3 Summary of Chapter Three…………………………………….53
• 4. Semantic Analysis: Signification between Spatial Form and Shanghai Culture…………………………………………………………..………57
• 4.1 Innovation and Modernity………………………….………… .57
• 4.2 “Petty Bourgeoisie”…………………………………….………59
• 4.3 Cosmopolitanism and Compatibility………………….………..61
• 4.4 Summary of Chapter Four………………………………………63
• 5. Pragmatic Analysis: Transmutation of Power….……………………..65
• 5.1 Space as a Representation of Power……………………………66
• 5.2 Dynamic Game between the Power over Space………..………70
• 5.3 Summary of Chapter Five…………………………………….. 80
• 6. Epilogue………………………………………………………………….83
• 6.1 Conclusion…………………………………………………… ..83
• 6.2 Further Study..………………………………………………….84
• Bibliography……………………………………………………………….85
• Abstract……………….……………………………………………………94