井,街,市:从深圳墟到东门商业区

SHENZHEN OLD TOWN

＂深圳墟＂ 东门老街古称＂深圳墟＂,是农耕时代的乡间集市。把深圳墟称作＂东门老街＂则是开放改革以来的事,为的是与＂深圳市＂区别开来。

Liao Honglei reminds us that Shenzhen has an 'old town' – the Old Dongmen area. The 1688 Xin’an County Gazetteer mentions Shenzhen Market at this site, while the 1602 Ming Dynasty Guangdong Notice mentions a market at adjacent Yuegangdun, or Caiwuwei as it is known today. In fact, the expression 'Dongmen' or 'East Gate' was the name given to the Old Shenzhen area to distinguish it from the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, which was built along the eastern boundary of the old town. Lei chronicles the ongoing modern reconstruction and ultimate razing of Old Shenzhen. He draws particular attention to the respective functions of market streets and wells to creating a vibrant society. For example, named for the primary market on each alley, Piglet, Duck, Fish, and Grain Streets were laid out parallel to each other and then split by Shangda Road, which was the town’s most vibrant commercial street during the late Qing and early Nationalist era. This unique formation distinguished Shenzhen from other towns. Likewise, the old town had six wells. The water of each well not fed the town, but also symbolized its continuing existence. Lei argues that these market streets and wells created and nourished Old Shenzhen’s cultural identity, as well as integrated it into Lingnan society. More strongly he suggests that by razing this heritage, New Shenzhen has lost its connection with the cultural history that was once the reason for human settlement.