Spatial Form Cognition of Historical Streets in Hongcun Village through a Space Syntax Approach

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between spatial form and inner vitality, and discusses the impact of three morphological variables on spatial vitality and spatial cognition of residents and tourists. The purpose of this study is to investigate the internal relationship between spatial morphological characteristics, spatial vitality, and people’s spatial cognition. In China, the over-commercialization of tourism has led to changes in the historical spaces of many traditional villages, and the problems of homogenization and commercialization have become increasingly obvious. To address this, this study will use a combination of space syntax and cognitive imagery to understand the historical street space. Space syntax theory quantifies the division of spatial scales and studies the relationship between spatial form and human behavior. The concept of cognitive imagery reproduces the user’s spatial cognition through imagery, and explores the relationship between spatial elements and cognition. Combining these two theories can provide a better understanding of the laws of spatial form and behavioral cognition. This study investigates the historical streets in Hongcun village, a World Cultural Heritage Site located in China. The research sample consists of 51 tourists who have been traveled to Hongcun, and 49 villagers who still reside in the study area. Spatial analysis was performed using DepthmapX software. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the degree of integration, intelligibility, and optionality of traditional street space, the vitality of the space, and people’s cognition. However, residents and tourists have different perceptions of the same traditional street space due to their different identities and awareness. When formulating protection and utilization plans, the needs of residents and tourists should be considered comprehensively to achieve a reasonable allocation of village spaces. The study’s results provide a reference for policymakers to better understand the relationship between the spatial form and inner vitality of traditional villages.