□ 文/本刊记者 李静 图/受访者提供
难抵重庆魅力菲律宾设计师积极参与城市发展建设
□ 文/本刊记者 李静 图/受访者提供
一座城市要发展,城市建设是一大要务,飞速发展的重庆在给世界留下深刻印象的同时,也吸引了许多外国设计师慕名前来。来自菲律宾的高翔文(Alvin)也和其他外籍建筑师同行一样,在这座城市马不停蹄地忙碌着。在他的眼中,重庆有着怎样独一无二的魅力?他来到这里要实现一些什么样的目标?在这些目标之外,他又如何融入到这里的城市生活中?本期,我们希望透过他的眼睛来看重庆。
2010年,高翔文第一次来到重庆,看到这座城市,他当时的感觉就是惊讶。“这里活脱脱就是香港的放大版。有的地方还很像我的家乡菲律宾。”他表示,虽然来自马尼拉,但在菲律宾的其他城市也会有一些山地,就像重庆一样连绵起伏,房屋错落有致。所以对这里自然产生了亲切感。2012年,因为工作调配,高翔文正式搬到重庆,在全球最大咨询集团,世界500强企业—美国艾奕康公司(AECOM)担任主任城市设计师,从事规划设计与经济方面的工作。
作为一名城市设计师,高翔文对重庆自然有自己不一样的看法。他认为,重庆与别的城市相比,正是因其特殊的地形地貌,赐予了它一个绝好的城市底版。环城皆山,穿城是水,既是江城,又是山城。“城市倚山而筑,建筑层叠耸起、错落有致,道路盘旋而上、蜿蜒曲折,加上主城所在的渝中半岛,三面临江,而这正是这座城市的惊艳之处。与中国其他大城市相比,重庆保留了许多原汁原味的建筑文化,既现代又传统,是一座有‘味道’的城市。”高翔文不禁这样评价。
而对于城市文化和规划之间的相互联系,高翔文有着自己的想法。“我认为,不论在任何一个国家从事规划设计,都要先了解他们的文化。一座城市出现新的、现代的建筑是必须的,但也不能摒弃旧的、传统的建筑,新旧交替,保持平衡,才能让城市发展。就如在巴黎,埃菲尔铁塔、巴黎圣母院、卢浮宫等反映着法国浓郁的文艺气息、深厚的文化传统;在纽约,自由女神像彰显着这个城市的自由与活力、好客与开放;在迪拜,帆船酒店则是国家现代化的象征;还有中国的香港等……虽然都是国际化大都市,但都保留了当地的文化和生活方式,而这正是让大城市在世界上具有识别度的重要因素之一,独有的文化特色成就了每个城市的特别之处。”他这样告诉记者。
高翔文所在的公司非常国际化,他也负责参与了许多国际项目,从迪拜、厄瓜多尔,到中国的三亚、成都、重庆。在重庆的项目多是居民住宅,但也会和政府合作一些大型项目,比如铜梁新城核心区的城市设计。目前,公司正参与观音桥商圈的改造项目—观音桥融恒时代广场的“太阳谷”公园景观设计,以构建一个连接“嘉陵水街”“太阳谷”及北城天街的“金三角”。
由于公司的员工来自美国、菲律宾、中国等各个国家,在这里,交流显得尤其重要。虽然同事之间用英语交流,没有太大的语言障碍,但仍旧会因为文化差异而产生意见分歧。对此,高翔文也表示深有体会。比如在工作中,互相交流意见时,每个人的性格特点都会表现出来。中国人喜欢迂回给出自己的想法,认为太直接会伤“面子”;相反,来自欧美地区的同事则喜欢直截了当,切入主题。所以大家一起讨论工作时,总会有意见冲突。但高翔文认为,与人交流,妥协和尊重是最重要的,“你可以不赞同别人的意见,但必须尊重他人的想法。我们总会在一堆争论中找到一个折中点,然后解决问题。”他也表示,在这样健康的氛围下工作,学到了许多与重庆同事相处的方法,从了解他们的文化开始,除了工作上的探讨,也从同事那里学到了许多重庆本土的文化。私底下,他也和他们渐渐成为了很好的朋友,重庆人的仗义、耿直、乐于助人,让他非常感动。
高翔文在重庆生活已有4年,让他感受最深的,便是见证了这座城市的发展,“我很看好重庆的城市发展。一座城市的经济发展情况自然会在城市面貌上得到体现,近几年,重庆的经济发展速度惊人,转眼间一座座高楼从一片片空地上拔地而起,在这里,我仿佛看到了一个奇迹的发生,我很荣幸见证重庆从一个接地气的城市变身为一座国际大都市的过程。”
重庆就像是一个复合体,这里有洪崖洞一样的吊脚楼,有被历史打磨得光滑无比的十八梯,也有林立的高楼大厦,幽蓝的玻璃幕墙,新锐的城市雕塑,时尚的广告招牌;有爬坡上坎的文化,也充满了摩登现代的气息。在他眼中,这里正是一个为设计师创建的最佳舞台,这里的发展有政府的政策支持,有充分有序的发展计划,各种软硬件条件也具备,他希望能趁着这股“东风”,参与到重庆的发展建设中来。
高翔文还不忘提到重庆的机场建设,从设计师的角度来看,城市的发展取决于相互之间的联系,英文里称为connection。交通的发展正是这种联系的具体体现,它让重庆与世界有了联系的纽带。“扩建后的江北国际机场将成为中西部连接世界各地与中国的空中门户,亚太地区重要的货运枢纽,世界航空网络的重要节点。这正体现了中国的‘一带一路’战略,‘一带一路’讲的也是联通的重要性,我认为这是一个很明智的战略建设,而重庆在其中占有如此重要的地位,可见未来的发展潜力无限。”高翔文对重庆未来的发展充满信心。
因为来自充满阳光、沙滩的海岛国家,本以为高翔文会不适应重庆的天气,谁想他对此并没有多大抱怨,反而认为潮湿的气候对皮肤很有帮助,偶尔的阴天还可以防晒。不仅是天气,他也很适应这里的饮食。火锅、小面、回锅肉,一个都不能少,有时还会把火锅作料作为特产带回菲律宾,让家人也感受一下重庆火锅的魅力。
在高翔文的眼里总能发现一些不一样的风景,他对这座城市总抱有一种好奇心,尤其是这里的建筑、道路。工作之余,他喜欢到处走走,也喜欢钓鱼、骑行,享受自然美景。“重庆有很多温泉,还有一些寺庙也修建得非常有特色,有一些坐落在商圈中,被繁华喧闹包围着,静静的,很有特色。”
谈到城市建议,他表示,虽然重庆有许多传统建筑很有特色,但有的的确因为年代久远,变得十分陈旧,如果能重新修葺这些建筑,一定能为这座城市增添不一样的光彩。为重庆的朋友和来这旅游的游客带来更多的记忆。“新的建筑的确很现代,但时间一久,也会陈旧;而那些历经沧桑的旧时建筑却会随着时间的推移而越来越有价值,就像陈酿的葡萄酒一样,保持光鲜。重庆正是需要这样的平衡,重庆不仅要好好保留现有的传统建筑,我也希望未来能多一些类似磁器口、洪崖洞这样的建筑,即便是在几十年甚至上百年后,仍然会被人们铭记、欣赏和学习。”
A city with ‘taste’
Alvin Caballero came to Chongqing for the fi rst time in 2010, and he used the word “amazing” when he saw the city, “It’s like a larger version of Hong Kong. Even though he’s from Manila, other mountainous city makes him feel like home, “Just like the Philippines,” he exclaimed.
In 2012 Alvin offi cially moved to Chongqing, working at the world's largest consulting group, one of the world's top 500 enterprises -- AECOM company (AECOM) as an associate and urban designer helping with planning and economics.
As an urban designer, Alvin sees Chongqing from a different angle, due to its unique topographic setting. This gives the city great foundation; Chongqing is landmarked for two fl owing rivers and its mountains, hence the name “mountain city”. From Alvin’s observation, “Chongqing compared to other big cities in China has retained both modern and its traditional infrastructures and this makes the city exceptional, it’s a city with ‘taste’.” Alvin said.
Talking about the connection between urban and rural culture, Alvin exclaimed that in his opinion,“it is always necessary to learn about a country or cultures of a city when planning and designing new infrastructures. Every city needs both its old and modern infrastructures to retain a good balance between its traditions and cultures. For instance, countries like Paris, New York, Dubai, and Hong Kong……although well developed, “there are still old traditional buildings, culture and the way of life of the people that still lingers in these cities making every each one of them symbolic.” He mentioned.
Witness and participant of the transformation of the city
The company Alvin works for is international, and has worked on projects all across China, Dubai and Ecuador. His work in Chongqing is mostly residential, however his company co-operate with the Chongqing government in a number of large projects like Tongliang urban design. Currently the company is participating in the Guanyinqiao business district improvement project -- Park design of "solar Valley", to build a "golden triangle." That will be connecting "Jialing river road", "Solar Valley" and Paradise Walk.
Since the employees are from all over the world, communication is especially important. Alvin through the years has learnt a lot about most of his colleagues, especially those in Chongqing. From his experience, people in Chongqing are warm hearted and accommodating and this is what attracted me to the city and the people”
Alvin has lived in Chongqing for four years and his deepest desire is to witness the development of the city, "A city's further economic development will be refl ected in its urban landscape, it will be an honor to witness the transformation of Chongqing from a local city into an international metropolis.”
Chongqing is complex because it is combined with ancient cultures and a modern atmosphere. Which in his eyes, is the best stage for creations of urban designs, it has policy support from the Government, and orderly development plan, which he hopes to be a part of in the development and construction of the city.
Alvin also mentioned the construction of airports in Chongqing, “the city's development depends on contact with the outside world; after the expansion of the Jiangbei international airport, it will become an Air Portal of Midwest China connecting with the world, thus a refl ection of China's 'one belt one way' strategy. He also explained that, it is a wise strategy that puts Chongqing an important position, allowing unlimited potential for future developments.
City proposal: renovation for more "Chongqing characteristics"
Alvin can always find a number of different views; he has a wild curiosity about the city, especially its infrastructures and streets. “There are many hot springs and temples built distinctively across the city, but what makes the city more unique is its natural surroundings. In his spare time he likes to take walks along the city to enjoy its nature.
When it comes to city proposals, he said, despite the many traditional buildings in the city, with time and renovations, it will last longer, retaining the history and culture for both the people as well as tourists. “The new structures are very modern and has no historical attachments but old structures that has gone through various weather conditions and atmospheric changes are increasingly valuable with the passage of time, “just like old wines are the best and most valuable”, he said jokingly.
Chongqing needs this type of balance, it should not only build more, but maintain the existing traditional architectures like Ciqikou, Hongyadong, which will still be remembered, appreciated, and learnt from after decades or even centuries. ”
Cannot resist the charm of Chongqing Designer of the Philippines actively involved in urban development and construction
□ Edited by Lovia Agyemang