Dynamic influencing mechanism of traditional settlements experiencing urbanization: A case study of Chengzi Village

Abstract

With the rapid progress of urbanization around the world, more and more traditional settlements are destroyed and disappeared, and the ecological experience which can effectively improve many current urban problems in traditional settlements also have disappeared. In this context, this research aims to examine the renewal of traditional settlements from a dynamic perspective, using digital twins to simulate the changes in settlement spatial forms, underlying surface materials and building facade materials, and to explore the ecological wisdom of traditional settlements. Achieve the unity of traditional feature and functional requirements of settlements in the process of urbanization. Furthermore, the research results can provide enlightenment for the modern translation of traditional settlements and urban construction. The complete research methods can also provide reference for the study of traditional settlements around the world. Through a comprehensive research method combining field measurement, field investigation and ENVI-met (a building environment simulation model) simulation, the microclimate of Chengzi Village, a typical traditional settlement in China, was studied. The results obtained in the above method shown that: (1) in the microclimate inference mechanism, traditional settlements’ spaces are highly efficient; (2) microclimate regulation of traditional settlements benefits mostly from the surface material, spatial form and building facade material; and (3) through a comparative study, it is concluded that in the process of urbanization, it is better for the spatial form to remain unchanged, but the building façade material can be changed appropriately. Concluded this study, the research results can not only promote the sustainable development of Chengzi village, but also provide experience for the modern translation of traditional settlements under similar circumstances around the world, which has important practical significance. In addition, The synergistic dynamic influence mechanism of development -inheritance is particularly important for the sustainable development of traditional settlements.