Plastic Roofs in Dalian

Zhongshan Square (that used to be known as “Banker’s Square”)  in Dalian is one of the best preserved squares left in northern China with a mix of old bank buildings and the former Yamato Hotel.  However, since I last visited the city in February this year destruction and construction/”refurbishment” fever has overtaken the city – partly I think Stimulus Package money abouding and partly the local government’s over excitement regarding the Summer Davos silliness (just ask anyone who’s ever attended how ridiculous it is) that happens up there now.

One tendency is to start replacing old roof tiles with plastic ones while ripping out crittal or iron window frames and replacing them with those awful UPVC ones. These pictures don’t really do the change justice – the plasticness is much more evident with the naked eye for some reason – to the new plasticy roof tiles that replaced the old tiles on the CITIC bank building in Zhongshan Square.

Admittedly it’s not as bad as it could have been but replacing the old tiles with non-plastic ones would have been better I’d argue. At top is a picture of the building taken in 2004 and the three below of the building now with the new roof – as I say the photos don’t show how false the roof tiles really look but you hopefully get the idea.