appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

Agence France-Presse

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 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.
How campaigners helped save Hong Kong’s unique post-war State Theatre from wrecker’s ball – and why majority owner New World Development had a rethink
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 flats, 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 fireplace.
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,” Ma said.
“What is made by machines is cold and lacks a human touch.”
What Shanghai can teach Hong Kong about conserving buildings of historical value
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 the 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.
Five Guangdong heritage sites to visit via Hong Kong’s mega bridge and express rail link
A major reason is the pay – Ma works five days a week and earns about 5,000 yuan (US$750) a month, half the average salary in Shanghai.
For comparison, the 50-square-metre (550 sq ft) flat he was working on recently sold for 5 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.”


How Thailand as transit hub feeds India’s exotic pet craze: ‘it’s organised crime’

It’s not ecotourism if it risks damaging Hong Kong’s natural assets

Humpback whale ‘Timmy’ released in North Sea after weeks stranded off Germany

Trumpet call: Malaysians demand Japan return elephants after viral ‘weeping’ videos

Conservation

The carpenter lovingly repairing old Shanghai’s historical buildings

Ma Jiale works in an old building in Shanghai. He has spent much of his working life repairing some of the city’s most attractive historical buildings. Photo: AFP

This photo taken on January 31, 2019 shows carpenter Ma Jiale working in an old building in Shanghai. - Carpenter Ma Jiale has spent much of his working life lovingly repairing some of Shanghai's most attractive -- if rather decrepit -- historical buildings. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT / To go with China-Economy-Housing-History-Carpenter, FEATURE by Peter Stebbings and Lan Lianchao

This photo taken on January 31, 2019 shows carpenter Ma Jiale pushing his bicycle between jobs in Shanghai. - Carpenter Ma Jiale has spent much of his working life lovingly repairing some of Shanghai's most attractive -- if rather decrepit -- historical buildings. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT / To go with China-Economy-Housing-History-Carpenter, FEATURE by Peter Stebbings and Lan Lianchao

News

China

People & Culture

Using tools handed down by his predecessors, 57-year-old Ma Jiale cycles from job to job preserving some of the city’s best old architecture – but he worries about who will take over when he retires


Using tools handed down by his predecessors, 57-year-old Ma Jiale cycles from job to job preserving some of the city’s best old architecture – but he worries about who will take over when he retires.
