The document discusses the themes of urbanization and social stratification seen in an area undergoing development. Over time, newer skyscrapers and malls were built to house the richer classes, while older, dilapidated buildings were left for the poorer classes to inhabit and adapt to their needs, such as by adding small shops. As land values decreased, one older low-cost apartment became home to immigrant workers, who transformed it into their own self-sufficient community with added amenities. Meanwhile, development continued around the area, leaving the old buildings to be reused by the lower classes.

1. IN ADAPTATION - OBSERVING THE EVERYDAY
1) Wong Zhen Fai, James
2) ClementChen

2. Chapter 8 of Calvino’s Invisible cities which consists of 5 cities namely Irene, Argia, Thekla,
Trude, and Olinda have taught and portrayed its cities to me in many ways. The primary theme
extracted from the chapter is mass urbanisation. Throughout the whole chapter, Calvino has come
up with cities of different names and conditions to signify the various phases of mass urbanisation.
This includes its rise and fall, and the positive and negative impact it has on the various social
classes.
From the site visit, a clear distinction between the old, dilapidated buildings and the new,
modern skyscrapers could be observed. These old buildings were probably the local landmark and
has set the architectural language of the site a few decades ago with its rectangular and mid-rise
structure. However, as the time passes by, the richer and higher social class has continued to
upgrade and progress through its architecture while striving for newer elements such as taller
skyscrapers and newer shopping malls. Meanwhile, the earlier buildings were left behind to be
recycled by the poorer and lower social class while adapting it according to their needs. This was
the case for one old low-cost apartment building which was the home to immigrant workers. Some
time ago during the apartment’s gloriousdays, it housed people of middlesocial class or lower along
with the surrounding buildings and shop lots but now, as the land value decreases, it has become a
place for immigrant workers to stay. They have adapted the apartment into their needs by adding
common necessities such as mini marts, barber shops, clinics and even a small-sized law firm into
the apartment block itself to serve the residents only, turning it into their own little city.
Meanwhile, the higher social class begins to move out of the area into newer streets along
with their taller skyscrapers and shopping malls, leaving the poor to take over and recycle the old.

3. ByWongZhenFai,James
Newerskyscrapersriseupat
adjacentareaswhiletheold
buildingsremaintoberecycled
andreusedbythelowersocial
class.

4. By Wong Zhen Fai, James
The low-costapartment has been transformed
into the immigrants’ own little city with mini
marts, barber shops, clinics and even a law
firm.

5. By Wong Zhen Fai, James
The dilapidated and unmaintained state of
most buildings in the area.

6. ByWongZhenFai,James
Newerskyscrapersriseupat
adjacentareaswhiletheold
buildingsremaintoberecycled
andreusedbythelowersocial
class.

7. By Wong Zhen Fai, James
Makeshift and unhygienic stalls pop up in any
remaining space they can find in between
building blocks.

8. By Clement Chen
Loneliness

9. ByClementChen
Synonym

10. ByClementChen
Fromadistance

11. ByClementChen
RisingCities