Evaluating historic preservation zoning using a landscape approach

Abstract

Historic preservation is generally regarded as an important and appropriate way to exhibit the history of the city; however, the designation of preservation zones requires accurate mapping and is subject to restrictions on contemporary and historical cartography. This paper provides an approach to the evaluation of urban landscape assessment on the basis of geographical “big data”. Three components (city plans, the patterns of building forms, and urban land use) are included in the framework of the urban landscape. A three-level evaluation model based on t-tests is developed to determine the effectiveness of historic preservation zoning. The results of a case study of 12 Chinese cities show that, first, not all urban landscape indicators are appropriate for preservation zoning evaluation and, secondly, preservation zones have been designated both larger and smaller than is necessary, which may be explained by discontinuities in some protection policies. Developing a method of historic protection for urban landscapes based on big data is a novel approach, and this study provides meaningful insights into applications for urban design and conservation for decision-makers and academics.