I would like to re-historicize Beijing's urban development with a particular focus on hutong refurbishment, migrant worker communities,
我想要重塑北京城市发展的历史,着重讨论胡同的翻新,外来务工人群
and Beijing's unique walls within walls spatial as well as cultural identity.
以及北京独特的墙中墙的空间以及文化上的特性
My method in the fresh look at Beijing's history will be to pose a series of questions and to see where the answers might lead us.
我从一个全新角度看北京历史的方法是提出一系列的问题,看看答案能把我们带到哪里
First, why is China's capital at such an unlikely location 100 miles from the sea, over twice that distance from a major river,
第一,为什么中国的首都设在这样一个不可能的地理位置上,离大海100英里,走200多英里才能到一条主要河流
with a harsh climate of dust storms, few natural resources, and desperately short of water.
冬天沙尘肆虐,天气恶劣,自然资源稀缺,而且季度缺水
Trade is the answer. From recorded time, Beijing was the nexus of trade routes connecting the manufacturing centers of the south
答案是,通商,有记载以来,北京是连结商路的枢纽,连接南方的制造业中心
via mountain passes to the farmlands of Manchuria and the nomadic peoples of the northern steppe.
由穿山的隧道通往满洲的农田,也通向北部干草原的游牧民族
Moreover the crescent of hills offered protection and living near vast rivers, which flooded and changed course was dangerous.
而且,围成新月形的山对城市形成了保护,因为居住在大河之滨,由于洪水爆发和河水改道,是很危险的
Over time, Beijing also developed its own manufacturing sectors, particularly in printing, construction materials and apparel
随着时间推移,北京也发展起来自己的制造业,尤其在印刷业,建筑材料,和服装方面
Why is it called Beijing, meaning northern capital?
这个城市为什么叫北京,也就是北方的首都呢
Chinese capital has shifted location over centuries.
千百年来,中国的首都不断易位