Structural Reasons of Current Upgrading: Urban and Industrial Images of the Chinese City Chongqing from 1949 until 1980

Belonging to a small group of privileged Chinese cities, Chongqing has covered an important economic role for the development of the South-west since the beginning of the “Open up the West” policies in 1997. In correspondence with the new economic role, the city has also gained a higher political position among Chinese megacities, becoming a new Municipality. The redefinition of landscape borders and economic image, however, could be seen as a “Renaissance” attempt granted by the Central Government. This paper offers a historical perspective on Chongqing urban and economic conditions during the Maoist period in order to reflect on the controversial recent phenomena that have affected this territory. Our interest is directed to the analysis of urban and industrial changes on the background of the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 moving from the concept of Danwei to the re-allocation of the industrial apparatus, and concluding with a section dedicated to the performance of Communist 'propaganda rites' behind the urban grid.