Building for Cold War Confrontation: Independent Exploration and Knowledge Transfer in the Third Front Construction

Yizhuo Gao*, Gangyi Tan, Charlie Q. L. Xue

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapters, Conference Papers, Creative and Literary WorksRGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (with host publication)peer-review

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Abstract

The Third Front construction (1964–1980), emerging as a significant national strategic decision tailored to the geographical landscape of China during the Cold War period, represents the interplay of strategy and spatial positioning under the influence of strategic preparedness factors. The influence of the military principle of ‘dispersal and concealment in the mountains’ has necessitated a specialized consideration in the planning and construction of Third Front factories and mining bases on how to closely integrate with complex terrain. During this period, it ushered in new architectural paradigms and technological explorations and profoundly influenced the design methods, architectural standards, and architectural education of modern Chinese architecture at that time. Using Architectural Journal (建筑学报) and relevant archives from the 1960s to the 1980s, this paper examines early China’s exploration of mountain architecture and other areas of Chinese architectural engineering and technical scientific networks. This paper illuminates the development of Chinese modern architecture from a new and hitherto underexplored perspective, enriching the historical narrative and theoretical understanding of China in Cold War architectural history. It also provides practical insights into the current ‘new Cold War’ situation. © The Author(s) 2025.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in the Integration of Technology and the Built Environment
Subtitle of host publicationSelect Proceeding of Architecture Across Boundaries, 2024
EditorsJiawen Han, Davide Lombardi, Alessandro Cece
PublisherSpringer Singapore
Pages239-246
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)978-981-96-4749-1
ISBN (Print)978-981-96-4748-4, 978-981-96-4751-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024
Event2nd International Conference on Architecture Across Boundaries (AAB 2024) - Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
Duration: 30 Aug 20241 Sept 2024
https://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/en/architecture-across-boundaries-2024

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume593 LNCE
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference2nd International Conference on Architecture Across Boundaries (AAB 2024)
Country/TerritoryChina
CitySuzhou
Period30/08/241/09/24
Internet address

Research Keywords

  • Chinese Modern Architecture
  • Cold War Architecture
  • Knowledge Transfer
  • Third Front Construction

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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