Achitectural Hordes Invade Inner Mongolia
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 05. 1.08
So much for yurts. Cai Jiang has made zillions digging coal and other resources out of the Inner Mongolian ground, and ordered up 100 architectural firms to design monster homes with servant's quarters and indoor pools in a billion-dollar "cultural district" in the new city of Ordos. Money is not an issue; the workers are paid $115 a month to leave their farms and live in dormitories, so construction costs are only $30 per foot.
The New York Times notes that "Many of the architects seemed almost giddy to be freed from the constraints they face in their home cities, where historic preservation laws combined with the scarcity of building sites means that they seldom get to design buildings from the ground up."
Others felt they were there almost as performers for a man "who clearly relished the chance to conduct an orchestra of 100 architects-of-the-moment." He pointed out that Mongolians are settled now, but “These days, it’s the architects, dressed in black, who are the tribe of nomads.” ::New York Times
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This story does not actually take place in Mongolia; it takes place in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region within China.
The article refers to a city in 'Inner Mongolia', a province of China which was formed when the Chinese 'liberated' a chunk of Mongolia. Mongolia, (or outer Mongolia as the Chinese call it) is a sovereign country and has no bearing on this story.
Also, I would guess that Cai Jiang is a Han Chinese man rather than a Mongolian -- It is unlikely that a large mining operation in China was owned by someone who was not Han Chinese.
Inner Mongolia, XinJiang, and Tibet are all provinces that have seen turmoil because of the masive, government promoted influx of Han Chinese, leading to the cultural dilution of local populations (some see this as a form of political oppression).
The pattern seems to repeat itself, with a rail line linking the province to Beijing and then government initiatives to move Han Chinese out to these provinces. (they argue that this is all part of economic improvement)
If I remember correctly, the man who was in charge of this repatriation of XinJiang is now involved with Tibet, particularly that shiny new rail line from Beijing. . . .
@JP
Why don't you read the freaking article before you open your mouth.
Cai Jiang is a Mongolian. Please stick to the story and topic.