ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Xu Tiantian on China's Construction Boom and Erased History

architecture-design · 2026-06-13

In an interview, Chinese architect Xu Tiantian discusses the country's construction boom and its impact on historical erasure. She states, "We have erased our history. It cannot be restored." The Evergrande empire, once China's most powerful real estate developer, has collapsed and been delisted from the stock exchange. However, the broader real estate crisis persists despite extensive government measures. Xu's comments highlight the tension between rapid development and cultural preservation.

Key facts

  • Xu Tiantian is a Chinese architect.
  • The Evergrande empire has collapsed and been delisted from the stock exchange.
  • Evergrande was China's most powerful real estate developer.
  • China's real estate crisis continues despite government measures.
  • Xu Tiantian stated: 'We have erased our history. It cannot be restored.'
  • The interview focuses on China's construction boom.
  • The interview was published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
  • The article discusses the conflict between development and historical preservation.

Entities

Artists

  • Xu Tiantian

Institutions

  • Evergrande
  • Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Locations

  • China

Sources