Abstract
In 2015, the Study of Xi’an Historic Walled City Regeneration Strategy applied the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) Approach through experimenting and testing digital technologies following recommended action steps of HUL Approach. Within the context of urbanisation and heritage deterioration happened past decades in Chinese cities, this paper proposes an innovative HUL Information System that can be used to integrate the approach and technical support measures. This enables comprehensive identification of spatial–temporal relativity of urban landscape morphology, linking between the past and present. The use of spatial digital tools such as aerial photo modeling, geographic information system analysis, and space syntax is explored to trace the continuity of the historical landscape in the built environment. The research team uncovered the context of Xi’an’s cultural and historical landscape through historical literature and related studies over past decades, and summarised and obtained a spatial data set for the dominant historical landscape pattern of the walled city area. Compared with the existing spatial pattern identified by digital tools, the findings showed similarity with historical landscape patterns, including part of a fengshui landform, the 17th to 19th century water system, and an evolving community habitat. This could be explained by the literature and academic research, which demonstrates the influence of historic landscape system in urban evolution. This research aims to show the potential of the HUL Information System as a technical support for urban conservation in Chinese cities, particularly with regard to mapping resources, which is fundamental toward other relevant steps in the HUL approach.
Highlights
The study proposes a framework of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) Information System to serve as a technical tool to support HUL implementation in Chinese cities
Tracing the historical landscape continuity in a built environment with less built heritage remains as the initial challenge for Chinese cities, but may contribute to the thinking on urban development in another way: discovering the value of implementing the HUL approach in China
The HUL approach was applied in the study, as it provides relevant tools and concepts, as well as concrete steps for more balanced and integrated urban management (UNESCO 2011)
Summary
The study proposes a framework of Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) Information System to serve as a technical tool to support HUL implementation in Chinese cities. (ECADI) took part in and accomplished the study in 10 months This area regeneration strategy was considered important in balancing historical conservation and urban renewal, and finding more integrated solutions for sustainable urban development in the future, bearing responsibility for the city’s deeply established culture and history (Erkan 2018). This was especially important considering the significance of Xi’an as a World Heritage City and the complexity of its historic walled area that has been evolving for almost 1,500 years as the city centre. The HUL approach was applied in the study, as it provides relevant tools and concepts, as well as concrete steps for more balanced and integrated urban management (UNESCO 2011)
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