Modern-day China's epidemic of creative buildings has come to an end, as the government recently placed a ban on “weird architecture”.
Last month, the Chinese government released its new blueprint for urban planning, discouraging buildings that are “oversized, xenocentric, weird”, reports Shanghaiist. Instead, the plan aims for architecture which is “suitable, economic, green and pleasing to the eye”.
The move comes after China's first Central Urban Work Conference since 1978, a gathering which aims to address the woes of a country with an increasingly urbanized population. Back when the conference was last held, just 18% of China's population lived in towns and cities. Today, 55% – or 750 million Chinese – of the country's people live in urban areas.
China's unique brand of architecture has been a source of frustration for the country's government for some time. In 2014, President Xi Jinping called for “morally inspiring art” – so, we guess the golden penis tower is out.
According to Jinping, such buildings show “a lack of cultural confidence and some city officials’ distorted attitudes about political achievements”, according to Shanghaiist.
It's best to appreciate China's weirdest buildings now; you won't be seeing any more of them in future.
[Photo via Jens Schott Knudsen]
