Inclusive Design Strategies for Hybrid Space with Conflicts between Economic Space and Life Space: A Case in Guangzhou

Abstract

In recent years, increasing number of historical and cultural districts are planned top-down as economic space in China. New economic activities have proliferated in these areas, even though original residents, some of them elderly, still live there. These new activities increase the complexity of such districts and bring about a series of conflicts, such as conflicts between economic space and life space and between visitors and residents. Hybrid space, which is a mixture of economic space and life space, is essential because it provides leisure zones for people to live, relax, communicate and consume in. However, inclusive design for hybrid space is seldom discussed. Using Yong Qing Fang-a historical and cultural area of Guangzhou-as a case study, this research defines ‘hybrid space’ and explores the conflicts between economic space and life space within hybrid space. By adopting the qualitative research methods of field observations, three types of conflicts of hybrid space are addressed and the barriers to and opportunities for inclusive design strategies for hybrid space are identified. Based on these findings, some suggestions are provided for researchers, urban planners and policy-makers to consider in combining the economic space and life space within hybrid districts in an inclusive way, and a framework is presented for the evaluate of inclusive design for hybrid space.