People as Infrastructure: The Architectural Wisdom of Informalit
Join us for Manchester Confucius Institute’s first public talk of the year, launching our anniversary exhibition, Building China: People’s Infrastructure.
Explore the spontaneous and ingenious adaptations found in China’s urban marketplaces, where everyday materials become functional art. This talk delves into the world of informal architectural practices that thrive without formal design processes, reflecting a bottom-up creativity that challenges our conventional views on sustainability and technology in building. We’ll discuss how these grassroots innovations might teach us new ways to think about architecture and urban infrastructure.
After the talk, there will be an opportunity to visit the Manchester Confucius Institute’s 20th anniversary exhibition, Building China: People’s Infrastructure, on the Lower Ground Floor of the Central Library (exhibited from 1 March until 30 May 2026).
Free – booking required via Eventbrite here or via the ‘Book Now’ button below
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About the speaker:
Ziqiu Ren is a spatial filmmaker and architectural researcher. Her research is established at the intersection of urban studies, ethnographic theories, and creative media. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Architecture at the University of Manchester, working on Chinese food marketplaces, supported by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). She is an associated researcher at the Urban Studies Lab.
he Manchester Confucius Institute Public Talk Series
Manchester Confucius Institute public talks are free, informal and informative lectures aimed at anyone with an interest in Chinese culture and language.
Find out more about the Manchester Confucius Institute
