New Silk Road : The Architecture of the Belt and Road Initiative

Abstract

In 2013, China's planned "New Silk Road" initiative began, the implementation of which has directly transformed many places in Asia and Africa, as well as in China itself. In some cases, urgently needed infrastructure was created, such as Niger's hospital in Niamey or the National Library of El Salvador. At the same time, however, entire areas were created, such as the free trade zone in Khorghos, Kazakhstan, with controversial effects on the local population and the environment. Based on research at the Politecnico di Torino, this publication examines the "Belt and Road Initiative" from an architectural and urbanistic perspective. Thematically organized, 20 selected buildings are documented. All projects are presented with specially created maps, plans, and photographs.