This thesis is about the preserving or abolishing of the Beijing’s wall in new China era. Both the changes of urban space and the complexity of the argument that blend the discourse of revolution, modernization and value can be seen in this issue. Three chapters constitute this thesis and they discuss the theme and development of this argument, the relation between the argument and the demolition, as well as the result of the demolition and its meaning.
During the demolition of the wall, people’s attitude on the wall and the tower became different gradually. The argument contained the discourse of the revolution and modernization, which included the discussion of the function and value of the wall at the same time. Although the relation between the argument and demolition seemed weak, the former one built the intellectual basis for the solution of this obstacle of the urban planning. After transform and expansion, the wall became a landmark and distinguished the new and the old district. During the national project and the subway construction, some gate towers, archery towers and corner towers were preserved. With the subway and the ring road, these towers succeeded the old wall and became a new landmark identifying the outline of the old capital city of Ming and Qing dynasty.