Major cities in China, which have experienced real estate booms in the past decade, have been criticized for the number of landmark skyscrapers with similar looks and designs.

"There is too much influence imported from a single developed country," said Nikolaus Goetze, a German architect and CEO with von Gerkan, Marg and Partners in Germany.

Goetze contributed to many projects in China, such as the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, urban planning for the Luchao Harbor City in Shanghai, and the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center.

A well-planned city should stick to its own identity, preserve the natural environment as much as possible and strive to save energy, Goetze said.

He said a new city structure should achieve a balance between functionality and human orientation.

Yu Kongjian, a returned overseas doctor and president of the Graduate School of Landscape Architecture at Beijing University, said 30 percent of new buildings in modern cities such as Beijing and Shanghai on European styles were "plastic beauties."

"What is the modern architecture with Chinese characteristics? No one knows," Yu said.

He called on developers to learn more about the land they live in and rediscover its values and natural landscapes.

(Shenzhen Daily September 20, 2004)