SHANGHAI, Feb 13, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Carpenter Ma Jiale has spent much of
his working life lovingly repairing some of Shanghai’s most attractive — if
rather decrepit — historical buildings.
The Chinese city is well known for its skyscrapers, but its pre-Communist
days as a cosmopolitan trading hub has left a legacy of assorted architecture
ranging from French-style villas to Edwardian mansions and Art Deco
buildings.
Authorities say they are committed to preserving the best of the old
structures — and Ma is doing his part.
The 57-year-old grandfather cycles — old tools hanging from the
handlebars — from job to job in a pocket of the northeast district of
Hongkou.
“If Shanghai only has skyscrapers, then it is not Shanghai any more,” said
Ma, known affectionately in the neighbourhood as “Master Ma”.
“I am not saying modernisation is not good, but historical buildings
should be preserved,” he added.
In a 2002 report, the World Bank described this part of Hongkou as a key
historical site not just in Shanghai, but for China.
Past residents included writers, a Communist Party leader from the late
1920s and, according to local legend, one of Mao Zedong’s ex-wives.
– ‘Little Tokyo’ –
Recently Ma worked on a century-old house that from the outside would not
look out of place in a wealthy London suburb.
Now divided into several rather ramshackle apartments, Ma said that
Japanese used to live there — Hongkou was once known as “Little Tokyo”.
Ma uses tools handed down by his predecessors because he fears that modern
or electrical ones will damage the original features of the house.
They include arched floor-to-ceiling front windows, high ceilings and a
grandiose tiled fire place.
There are no original drafts to work off so Ma uses his experience and
instinct to make the new door frame fit with its surroundings of faded
grandeur.
“The meaning of my job is to protect historical buildings and pass on our
craftsmanship,” said Ma.
“What is made by machines is cold and lacks a human touch.”
– Playing catch-up –
Ma works for a state-owned property management company and proudly
declares that he is a member of the ruling Communist Party.
After the Communist takeover 70 years ago, political campaigns denouncing
symbols of China’s past “feudal” era consigned many properties to decay.
The Shanghai government is playing catch-up but in recent years stepped up
its efforts to protect and preserve historical buildings, Ma said.
But in a country where people are often afraid of speaking out, Ma is open
about what he feels is the inadequate upkeep of some of Shanghai’s attractive
old architecture.
“We just roughly repair windows, doors, floorboards, wooden frames,” said
Ma, calling for more money to be directed to the preservation effort.
“For decades Shanghai’s historical buildings haven’t been well protected
Small repairs from property management companies cannot solve the big
problem,” he added.
– Fears for future –
There is another lingering worry.
Ma will retire in three years and is eager to pass on his decades of
expertise — if only there were budding carpenters out there.
In the neighbourhood where he works, there are only four carpenters for a
population of more than 10,000 residents, he said.
That inadequate ratio is repeated across Shanghai, he added.
A major reason is the pay — Ma works five days a week and earns about
5,000 yuan ($750) a month, half the average salary in Shanghai.
For comparison, the 50-square-metre (550 square feet) apartment he was
working on recently sold for five million yuan putting it on a par with
central London prices.
Ma said: “If needed, I’m willing to teach young people to do carpenter
work. But it’s still too difficult to find young people for this sort of
job.”
He added: “I’m very worried that after three to five years, no one will
inherit the skills and the protection work cannot continue.”