China seeks to regulate “weird” architecture

White Houses. Arcs de Triomphe. Eiffel Tower. Pantslike structures. Phallic structures.

Structures such as these litter the Chinese landscape. But 2016 might be the year China’s strange architecture comes to an end. As cities grow uncontrollably, China struggles to regulate the growth of urbanization.

A directive issued on Sunday by the State Council, China’s cabinet, and the Communist Party’s Central Committee says no to architecture that is “oversized, xenocentric, weird” and devoid of cultural tradition. Instead, buildings should be “suitable, economic, green and pleasing to the eye.”

This decision comes after a significant rise of the population has moved to the cities. From the increase of 18% to 50% since 1978, urban planning has struggled to keep up with the rapid development. Instead, buildings will be prefabricated and it is predicted that prefabricated buildings will 30% in ten years of all total buildings.

Vice President of the China Academy of Urban Planning Wang Kai believes that functionality should take precedence over appearance. China hopes to fill their cities with green and morally fulfilling alternatives to the odd structures and keep historic buildings and areas pure.  China’s President Mr. Xi endeavors for “no more weird architecture”. He is making progress at the local level.  All illegal buildings across China’s cities will be mapped within five years.

Check out some examples below.