I don't think it's solely her fault. The city itself was in a nice state of affairs back at ATLA, Although overpopulation and other reasons [refugees, the war, Long Feng administration] were definetly not on the city's side. 

Then, the HYW ended, and the EK lost an entire chunk of land, alongside all the money that came from these provinces. The even further decrease of centralized control put the EK in a really bad state [when compared to other times]. 

So all these factors, alongside rampant industrialization has really left the lower ring that way, and that's sad. I'd really like to see that place return to its former glorious self [less high-rises, more organization, more tidyness, etc] or even improve a bit in organization. 

I really like that new Earth Queen, and when she said about the stolen land used to create the URN, I couldn't agree more. In a idealized view of mine, that shall never be realized due to Bryke's interest, I would be amused to see a season about a war, as large as the HYW one, where someone, following the footsteps of Chin the conqueror, reclaims the entirety of URN's land to the Earth Kingdom. 

Shocking the world, and sending a real message towards the rulers who doubted someone was still up to fates of bravery and power, during such decadent days. 

Also we could get to see badass earthbending, action scenes, armies and stuff. XD 

About Beijing: Ancient Beijing was entirely build around symmetrical builds, always focusing on the geometrical shape of the square/rectangle, following the chinese compound architecture system [siheyuan]. An interesting example of chinese compound in ATLA would be Beifong's state. The old houses in Beijing mostly looked like this

Similarly to Ba Sing Se, Beijing also experienced a decline, after the gradual fall of dynastic rule. Parts of the city left abandones, other ravaged by industries. Later parts of the older city were replaced by "modern" buildings, which replaced most of the city's old Hutong [these neighborhoods] with government buildings [in the stoic, blocky Soviet style] or more recently, these glass-box skyscrapers [and that's where bad becomes really bad].

i'm actually getting quite upset that i could only give out one kudos. Qin, you just read my mind. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Beijing is really beautiful. I totally love China! I am sad about that replacement of these beautiful buildings too. The Chinese lose their culture that way. And that's so sad...:(

The current Earth Queen is not the best in my opinion. She cares only about herself, power and money. Her people are almost nothing to her. The only reason she wants the URN, is to gain more money aand power. That woman is kidnapping airbenders along Ba Sing Se to make an army. Do you think that she won't make the same with the rest of the Earth Kingdom? You know that the Dai Li became loyal to the Earth monarch again, but now the Earth Queen's morals are even worse than the ones of Long Feng. In an upcoming war, I would be with URN personally. I know their president is a jerk, but at least he cares for his people.

This is true!! 

It was the glorious capital of three dynasties [Yuan, Ming and Qing] spanning over 700 years. The replacement/change in architecture and building layout is surely saddening. Firstly, a city full of high rises might not be as pleasant as some building companies might think. The way people lived and interacted back then is already being missed by the older generations. The historical and cultural value is also of utmost importance, given that the whole city was based upon a certain layout system, and changing it removes great part of what the city meant, of what it once represented. 

And several great things are already gone from the city, such as its once majestic walls, torn down during the 50-60s as part of a industrialization program. The walls were amongst the tallest, sturdiest and most impressive ones in the world, and a masterpiece of chinese architecture on wall building, and the empire's mentality as a whole. 

Thanks a lot, Lilliane! (^_^)

If anything, Long Feng could be an interesting leader if he was supporting the king. Had he informed the ruler of the state of affairs against the Fire Nation, and mobilized troops, the show would be called "Earth kingdom: the legend of Long Feng" instead. But sadly, he lack of concern was so great that the FN could build a freaking drill inside its territory and pass unnoticed. Is that weird? extremely.

She clearly mentioned what she feels about the URN, and what it represented to her. If she wasn't concerned with the kingdom as a whole, she wouldn't risk herself to the point of raising armies, including special units [those airbenders she's picking every now and then] and basically risk everything and go to war !!!! a self-serving ruler, who is simply interested in his own welfare wouldn't take such a bold step towards strenghtening their realm. 

She's pretty much well and relatively powerful inside her city, don't you think ? But then again, she wants more than just a cool palace and nice stuff around her. When ambition burns [and yea, I know bout that] like molten rocks, the only path towards glory is doing what the kingdom needs, what the land needs, and naturally, I think most Earth Kingdom citizens who are proud of themselves would approve that. 

Similar to Kuei, who once became sick of so much lies, lack of decision or efficient command, after all he went through he finally returned... as a king. a real king. He might not be as powerful or might as the ancient conquerors were but he really did his best against the impending crap that his kingdom was going through. And Zuko got the message pretty well, AS without Aang's intervention, I'm sure General How would take him down.  Raiko himself isn't a efficient, good or decent leader, despite my personal beef against him [too "modern-styled", too distant from what Avatar used to be, etc etc]. The Avatar herself almost dies fighting Unalaq-Vaatu, to protect the city against what could be an unspeakable terror to them and how he repays that? by denying every idea, every stuff she tries to do.   

If one cannot recognize people of greater power, skill and determination than him/herself, one cannot rule over the lands. I hope the next actions are for all the best for the kingdom. 

we could write a speech about this! seriousily!

Oh dude! I so fucking love Chinese history and you are an expert! That's so awesome! :D I'm so proud I have Chinese cyber friends. LOL

Awww...that's really sad. :( Why to industrialize a country to that extent, after so many years of decent culture and architecture? That's really disappointing.

They torn down the walls? I didn't know that. In many countries the walls are being kept and preserved as cultural heritage. OMG, that's so sad. I prefer the old architecture of China WAY better than these glass skyscrapers.

OK, you are totally right about Raiko. But still. I don't want to see the Earth Kingdom taking all these multicultural lands and change them. It will be very sad. I know that the Earth Queen has ambitions, but she has no morals in my opinion. Why to kidnap airbenders against their will? They are your citizens whatsoever! If she wanted to prepare for an upcoming war, she better make a formal army of earthbending soldiers that WANT to fight, than force airbenders to become her army. Just take one factor into consideration; do you think that forced people battle better for a country that forced them to fight, than people who want to defend it because it was their choice?

I think the answer is pretty obvious...

Well remember the Dai Li did have the knowledge to brainwash people. I'm sure they wouldn't have any problem brainwashing a particularly stubborn airbender if fear and intimidation doesn't work.

they torn down the walls because Mao Zhe Dong thought that the wall was against his ideas, and a new age is starting, so they tore down the wall, and destroyed thousands or hundreds of thousands of ancient artifacts. they also tourtured landlords, people with money (just more they should) or people who just didn't apprrove of Mao's ideas in public, (i rather not go into the details) along with some artsmen (opera people, etc.) and it's actually quite a violent thing, and this lasted for many years, actually. yep, it's a dark page in the 5000 years of chinese history.

OMG I didn't know that. That's so sad. :( Personally Imperial China seemed much more cultured than these shit. No offence.