Discussion keeps the world turning.
This is Roundtable.
China's cities are growing fast, but are they becoming the same?
Some cities do reflect their unique culture and history,
but many others now feature the same sleek glass buildings,
wide roads and similarly boring or let's say repetitive designs.
Has urban planning erased the individuality that wants to find these places?
And from life's little joys to big smiles,
we invite you to Roundtable's happy place where happiness is always on air.
Coming to you live from Beijing, this is Roundtable.
I'm He Young.
For today's program, I'm joined by Steve Hatherley and Yu Shen in the studio.
First on today's show.
Ever get that deja vu feeling when traveling in China?
Hop on a high speed train and city after city rushes by.
Sleek buildings, wide roads and a touch of green in the distance.
But unless you catch the station sign, good luck figuring out where you are.
Urban design more like copy and paste.
City planners borrow trends, tweak a few details, and voila, a new city, the same look.
It's the factory line effect.