Chongqing, a city of 32 million people, is a unique urban landscape built on hills and mountains, earning it the nickname '8D city'. This city's vertical nature is a defining feature, shaping the lives of its residents and offering a distinct lifestyle.
Getting around Chongqing is an adventure in itself. Chen Hao, a retiree, lives in a building without an elevator, and his daily climb up the stairs is a testament to the city's elevation-centric design. The view from his balcony showcases the city's transformation, with high-rises replacing the natural scenery of mountains and rivers that once defined the skyline.
Chongqing's terrain has created a generation of porters, known as 'bang bang jun', who carry goods on their backs up and down the steep slopes. Xu, one of the remaining porters, has been working in the city for over three decades, witnessing its transformation from unpaved roads to modern malls. Despite the changing times, his work remains essential, and he continues to wake up early each day to haul goods, earning just enough to get by.
For the younger generation, vertical movement is a way of life. Students like Bao and Shen Xiwang navigate the city's stairs with ease, adapting to the unique directional logic of 'up and down' instead of east, south, west, or north. Gong Yupeng, a recent arrival, finds the city's vertical rhythms a surprise, but he has come to love the climb, seeing it as a fun challenge.
The city's architecture reflects its altitude. Architect Li explains how Chongqing's verticality is most extreme in Yuzhong district, where an entire mountain is covered in buildings. The Baixiangju residential complex, with its 24 storeys and no elevators, showcases how the city's builders have worked with the terrain, creating a unique spatial structure. The complex's multiple ground floors and aerial corridors form a web of passages, offering a different experience at every turn.
However, not everyone is a fan of Chongqing's verticality. Pang, an elevator repairman, sees it as just another city, with its fair share of elevators. For those who maintain the infrastructure, the extraordinary becomes ordinary.
The cost of development and progress is a theme that runs through the city. Chen Shijin, Chen Hao's father, laments the loss of community spirit as old neighbourhoods give way to high-rises. He worries that the sense of neighbourly warmth is fading, and with it, a part of Chongqing's social fabric. Architect Li agrees, suggesting that modern high-rise buildings lack the public spaces that foster neighbourly relationships.
Despite the challenges, Chongqing continues to climb. In Nan'an district, the Houbao area has found a balance between old and new through careful urban renewal. The government-led project upgraded infrastructure and introduced small commercial spaces, creating a harmonious blend of generations and business formats.
Architect Li believes that the spirit of Chongqing's people, who have built and lived in mountainous terrain, is a defining characteristic. They embrace the challenge, overcoming difficulties rather than avoiding them. This spirit is embodied by Xu, the veteran porter, who plans to retire soon but continues to work tirelessly, his body knowing every shortcut in the vertical city.
As Chongqing continues to develop, its unique vertical nature remains a defining feature, offering a lifestyle between levels that is both challenging and captivating.
