Historic District Research Articles

The effects of commercialisation on urban heritage in Tianjin: a study of citizens’ livelihood in the Five Avenues (Wudadao) historical district

This article examines the intersection of commercialisation and sustainable development within the context of urban heritage conservation and the related effects on citizens’ livelihoods, with a specific focus on the Five Avenues (hereafter referred to as Wudadao) historical district in Tianjin, China. The Wudadao district, which is known for its complex heritage architecture, historical significance, and multilayered socioeconomic context, offers significant insights through which the challenges and opportunities of urban heritage conservation and urban prosperity can be analysed.Through mixed-method research—primarily relying on qualitative interviews with local stakeholders concerning the patterns of local conservation challenges and transformations in citizens’ livelihoods, quantitative data collection on tourist motivations and frequency, and a review of conservation policy—this article aims to determine not only how to balance commercialisation with conservation efforts but also how to cocreate social value with citizens to ensure both economic vitalities and to protect historical authenticity and integrity.The findings indicate that while commercialisation brings essential funds and revitalisation to the area, overcommercialisation raises the risk of gentrification and threatens historical authenticity. This research identifies practices that strike a balance between fostering an economically vibrant district and ensuring that heritage conservation remains at the forefront of development efforts. These findings can act as a blueprint for comparable heritage locations both in China and worldwide.

Identification and Characterization of Reclaimed and Underclaimed Mine Features Using Lidar and Temporal Remote Sensing Methods within the Coastal Plain Uranium Mining Region of Texas

We developed a spatiotemporal mapping approach utilizing multiple techniques for distinguishing and mapping known reclaimed mine sites from “unreclaimed” mine sites in a historic uranium mining district along the South Texas Coastal Plains. Lidar laser scanning penetrates the vegetation canopy to expose anthropogenic modifications to the landscape. The Lidar analysis (bare earth elevation surface, slope, topographic contours, topographic textures, and overland-flow hydrography) revealed mine features. Visual interpretation of Landsat imagery and time-series analysis augmented the Lidar analysis revealing the temporal life cycle of mining. The combination of bare earth texture with time-lapse and time-series analyses revealed areas of disturbance for reclaimed mines. The spatiotemporal mapping approach proved to be most useful in identifying and characterizing the known mine pit and pile features, reclamation status, and areas of disturbance due to mining. Two mine waste volume estimation methods resulted in a 21% difference indicating that although the approach helps to map mine features and areas of mining disturbance for the purposes of mine land inventory, additional information is needed to improve the estimation of buried mine waste at reclaimed mine sites.

Towards Sustainable Development of the Old City: Design Practice of Alleyway Integration in Old City Area Based on Heritage Corridor Theory

Urbanization has increasingly led to the overlapping of old and new spaces in historic city areas, creating challenges in preserving valuable urban heritage. To meet the requirements of the effective protection, utilization, and sustainable development of these historical spaces, this study introduces a comprehensive framework grounded in the theory of heritage corridors. The proposed framework subdivides and connects fragmented historical spatial resources through the “point–line–plane” dimensions, fostering sustainability across the environmental, ecological, and cultural domains. To validate the effectiveness of the framework, we apply it to the historic city center of Wuxi. This case study demonstrates that integrating spatial resources within the old city enhances the overall quality of urban living spaces in the historic district. The findings suggest that the heritage corridor framework is a feasible and systematic approach for the sustainable renewal of historic urban areas. Furthermore, this study offers valuable insights for advancing Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), particularly in promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities.

A Study on the Influencing Factors of the Vitality of Street Corner Spaces in Historic Districts: The Case of Shanghai Bund Historic District

The revitalization of historic districts is crucial for the sustainable development of cities, with street corner spaces being a vital component of the public space in these districts. However, street corner spaces have been largely overlooked in previous research on crowd dynamics within historic districts. This study investigates the key factors influencing crowd dynamics in street corner spaces within historic districts. First, a hierarchical model of vitality-influencing factors was developed based on prior research. Potential factors influencing the vitality of street corners were quantified using multi-source data collection methods, including deep learning algorithms, and crowd vitality within these spaces was assessed through multidimensional measurements. The impact of each element on crowd vitality was then analyzed through a multivariate linear regression model. The findings revealed that eight factors—corner building historicity, first-floor functional communality, transparency, openness, density of functional facilities, greenness, functional variety of buildings, and walkability—significantly influence the vitality of corner spaces, collectively explaining 77.5% of the vitality of these spaces. These conclusions offer new perspectives and scientific evidence for the revitalization and conservation of historic districts.

Interactive contact interface elements and correlations with social behavior in historic commercial streets: a study of Qushuiting Street, Jinan

ABSTRACT As China transitions from rapid urbanization to prioritizing high-quality development, creating sociable streets has become essential. These are spaces designed to encourage interactions among people and their environment, which is crucial for the revitalization of historic districts. This study examines the relationship between “sociability” and interactive elements within historic commercial streets, focusing on identifying key “interface factors” that influence social dynamics. Jinan’s Qushuiting Street was selected as the subject of this study. Survey and behavioral mapping methods were employed to assess interactive contact interface as independent variables, including façade opening, D/H, structural shelter, plant shelter, commercial overflow, seating overflow, and social nexus points. SPSS was employed for multiple regression analysis to examine the correlations between these interface variables and the dependent variable, the sociability index. The findings indicate strong positive correlations between sociability and commercial overflow, seating overflow, and social nexus points. Additionally, plant shelter and structural shelter show a certain positive correlation with the sociability index. This research quantitatively evaluates the sociability of historic commercial streets and identifies key contributing factors, providing scientific guidelines for enhancing street vitality, increasing social interactivity, and securing effective urban and street design strategies.

Impact of Fine Water Mist Curtains on Fire Safety in Historic Buildings: A Case Study of Foshan Historical and Cultural District, Guangdong Province, China

ABSTRACT To address inadequate fire separation distances in historical buildings leading to extensive fire spread, practical research employing Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) was conducted. The study involved simulating a historical and cultural block in Foshan City to analyze variations in heat flux density and temperatures within a 5-meter radius of windows under fire powers of 1.5 MW, 6 MW, and 10 MW, with window openings at 10%, 25%, and 50%, respectively. The aim was to preserve the original architectural integrity without modifying existing fire separations. Augmentation of fire protection through the implementation of a fine water mist water curtain between buildings was proposed, and its efficacy in smoke and heat insulation was evaluated. Results indicate that, at 1.5 MW fire power, adjacent structures remain relatively secure with current fire separations. However, at 6 MW and 10 MW, fire spread to neighboring buildings was significant regardless of window opening area. Implementation of the water curtain with a nozzle flow coefficient (K) of 80, typical for standard coverage area sprinkler nozzles, and a spacing of 0.8 m, proved effective in enhancing smoke and heat insulation while also offering cost efficiencies. Optimal results were achieved with an average droplet size of 200 µm and nozzle pressure set at 6.0 MPa, corresponding to a nozzle flow rate of 615 L/min. These findings provide valuable insights for drafting specifications for the adaptive reuse of historical buildings and deploying fine water mist water curtains in confined spaces.

Migrants as agents in placemaking: A socio-spatial analysis of Basmane area in Izmir, Türkiye

This article explores the place-making practices of displaced Syrian refugees living in Basmane area of Izmir's historic Konak district. By examining everyday spaces, the spatio-material and socio-relational outcomes of Syrians’ placemaking practices, the study positions refugees as active agents of placemaking. Through empirical fieldwork, it underscores the spatio-material consequences and socio-relational wellbeing outcomes of Syrians’ placemaking practices, illustrating how these are shaped and constrained by multi-scale configurations of Türkiye's refugee policies and the perceptions of the local population towards migrants.

Understanding the attractiveness of types of historic districts in Bandung: implementing heritage conservation based on public perception

ABSTRACT Cultural heritage conceptually addresses the conservation of physical and non-physical dimensions. Heritage conservation generally intends to create pleasant spatial experiences and socio-culturally friendly living environments while accommodating contemporary needs. Conservation frameworks for protecting urban fabric driven by physical authenticity and expert judgment need to pay increased attention to public-based assessment experiences to improve people’s perspectives on the quality of urban historic areas. The notions of inclusive conservation posit that community understanding is essential for appreciating historic urban areas due to various social, cultural, historical, and political conditions. According to public narratives and perspectives, this study describes the types of urban historic districts perceived as attractive. The investigation uses the qualitative method to analyze data from 170 participants obtained through an online questionnaire and content analysis methods with open, axial, and selective coding. The findings reveal that from the public perspective of environmental quality assessment, historic districts are categorized under three types according to attractiveness. Three types of historic areas are vibrant, relaxing, and dull districts. As such, the study emphasizes the importance of human sensory experience in urban planning and design and its consequences for urban heritage conservation.

Measuring urban walkability index in Surakarta historic district to promote sustainable mobility

Measuring urban walkability index in Surakarta historic district to promote sustainable mobility

A Post Occupancy Evaluation of the Space Utilization of Cultural Heritage in Children’s Education: A Case Study of Wuhan’s Historical Districts, China

Cultural heritage has educational value because it provides children with a realistic learning environment and a wealth of educational resources. This study intends to fill a gap in academic research by evaluating the efficiency of utilizing cultural heritage in children’s education. This study uses the Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) method to create a comprehensive evaluation index system. Through research and analysis of six key elements—inheritance of historical context, improvement in environmental quality, completion of infrastructure, achievement of educational goals, participation in children in activities, and sustainable development—it was discovered that rational utilization of cultural heritage space significantly improves the educational experience and promotes cultural heritage transmission. This study is significant since it provides an empirical foundation for educational practice and serves as a valuable guide for innovative heritage transmission and policy creation. Our findings emphasize the necessity of incorporating educational goals into preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage, advocating for a forward-thinking approach that honors the past while fostering learning and progress for future generations.

A Study on Cultural Tourism Development in Historic Districts from the Viewpoint of Social Innovation

The rapid rise of the cultural tourism industry has benefited from the strategic promotion of the integration of culture and tourism, a process that plays an indispensable and important role in enhancing the comprehensive competitiveness of the local economy, the cultural industry and the image of the city. The core of the charm of the historic district lies in the living inheritance and presentation of culture, which not only meets the aesthetic needs of the modern society, but is also closely related to the profound humanistic and historical development of the historic district. This study takes Taipei Dadaocheng Dihua Street as the main research object, adopts literature exploration and field observation method to conduct the study, and employs graphical inductive analysis to discover the humanistic landscape of Dihua Street in which the old and the new are intertwined. And using the social innovation theory as the theoretical support, it discusses in depth the innovative development direction of the historical district from the point of view of cultural and tourism integration.

Temple Corridors in Indian Cities: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Temples and heritage corridors have successfully contributed to the redesign of Indian cities, yielding positive outcomes in terms of cultural heritage, tourism, and business. Such projects aid in revitalizing historical districts, preserving traditions, and fostering greater public concern for urban environments. Nevertheless, several challenges persist, such as the risk of commercialization, altering the authentic image or identity of places, social inequality during gentrification, and balancing modernization with conservation. Despite these challenges, these initiatives highlight cultural identity, which should be safeguarded through careful planning to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth. A critical question remains: has the transformation of Indian cities diminished their aesthetic and cultural value? Temple corridors in Indian cities blend Indian culture with contemporary architectural and planning techniques. This paper reviews the development, significance, and evolution of temple corridors within the urban Indian context, focusing on their roles as cultural institutions, social amenities, and tourist attractions.

Peculiarities of the participative methodology application in the process of revitalization of the architectural heritage of the Yerevan historical district of Kond in Armenia

Peculiarities of the participative methodology application in the process of revitalization of the architectural heritage of the Yerevan historical district of Kond in Armenia

The Southern Chinese Eclectic Style Wall Floral Ornamentation of Sun Yat Sen Mainsion, George Town, Penang

The Sun Yat Sen Mansion, located in the Armenian Street historic district of George Town, Penang, is a shophouse that has been meticulously transformed into a Peranakan private museum. The building has its own history, which stems from Dr. Sun Yat Sen's involvement with the Chinese revolutionary movement. Despite the fact that Sun Yat Sen is regarded as one of the greatest leaders in contemporary China, his political career was marked by continual conflict and repeated exile. Sun Yat Sen Mansion is one example of an architectural heritage building with beautiful ornamentations of Straits Settlement shophouses. Shophouses and townhouses are listed under UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, possess unique architectural and cultural characteristics. The building is influenced by the Southern Chinese Eclectic Style (1840s–1900s), where Chinese masons contributed their methods and supplies. Additionally, ornamental details and ventilation holes have been added. Ornamentation such as floral and fauna has been applied to this building's facade to create eye-catching colours, making for an appreciative sight in these buildings with their own philosophy. Peranakan shophouses with beautiful wall floral ornamentation can be found in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand; however, there is still no documentation based on the philosophy of wall floral ornamentation as references. This paper investigates the floral ornamentation wall motif in façade design and analyses the philosophy of the floral ornamentation on the Sun Yat Sen Mansion. This building has interesting ornamentation that will influence the Southern Chinese eclectic style philosophy. Through the utilization of the Sun Yat Sen Museum as a case study, this inquiry employs a qualitative research methodology to gather data and comprehend wall floral ornamentations that influence the eclectic southern Chinese style. Based on this research, the findings provide an understanding of the philosophy of wall floral ornamentation influences that govern the design of architectural characteristics and façade design on Sun Yat Sen Mansion.

Geo-Semiotic Analysis of Shared Streets in Urban Historical Districts: The Case of Jiefangbei, Chongqing, China

Geo-Semiotic Analysis of Shared Streets in Urban Historical Districts: The Case of Jiefangbei, Chongqing, China

Influencing Factors of Street Vitality in Historic Districts Based on Multisource Data: Evidence from China

Amid urban expansion, historic districts face challenges such as declining vitality and deteriorating spatial quality. Using the streets of Xi’an’s historical and cultural district as examples, this research utilizes multisource data, including points of interest (POIs), street view images, and Baidu heatmaps, alongside analytical techniques such as machine learning. This study explores the determinants of street vitality from the dual perspectives of its external manifestation and spatial carriers. A quantitative framework for measuring street vitality in historic districts is established, thoroughly examining the driving factors behind street vitality. Additionally, the relationship between built environment indicators and street vitality is elucidated through statistical analysis methods. The findings reveal significant, time-varying influences of these spatial carriers on human vitality, with distinct spatial distribution patterns of human activity across different times, and the significance of the influence of external representations of human vitality and various types of spatial carriers varies over time. Based on these insights, this paper proposes strategies for enhancing the vitality of historic streets, aiming to rejuvenate and sustain the diverse and dynamic energy of these districts. It provides a foundation for revitalizing the vigor of cultural heritage zones and offers strategies applicable to similar urban contexts.

Evaluation of the In2Care Mosquito Station at low deployment density: a field study to manage Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in North Central Florida.

In the last 2 decades, there has been an increase in the geographic range and frequency of vector-borne diseases. Management of mosquito populations has become challenging due to increasing rates of resistance to existing insecticidal products and formulations. Several alternative tools have emerged to suppress or replace mosquito populations. One of these tools is the In2Care Mosquito Station (In2Care station). This dual-action station contains the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen which disrupts the development of immatures and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (B. bassiana) strain GHA which kills exposed adult mosquitoes. The In2Care stations have previously been shown to effectively control Aedes aegypti in field settings at a density of 6 stations/acre rather than the label-recommended 10 stations/acre. To further test the efficacy of low station density deployment, we deployed In2Care stations in the Pleasant Street Historic District of Gainesville, Florida, at a density of 3 stations/acre over a period of 2 years in the presence or absence of ground larvicidal applications. The deployment of stations resulted in no measurable impact on Ae. aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus adult or immature abundance suggesting that the low-density deployment of In2Care stations is insufficient to reduce Ae. aegypti and Cu. quinquefasciatus abundance within treatment areas.

The Guidance of Public Value in China’s Historic Environment: Research on Regeneration Strategies Using Taiyuan’s Bell Tower Street as an Example

When profit-driven renewal is difficult to implement, many historic districts in China become “frozen” under protection. In the recent social context of “building cities for the people”, public value-oriented renewal of urban historic areas has become crucial in city transformation. This study investigates strategies for historic district regeneration in China by integrating spatial form, urban governance, and public value. We propose a novel framework to analyze the regeneration of historic districts, using Taiyuan’s Bell Tower Street as a case study. The framework distinguishes between two dimensions: spatial and economic–social. In the spatial dimension, we focus on the transformation of spatial form to regenerate public value, emphasizing the attribute of “publicness” as central to urban regeneration efforts. This involves a tiered approach to excavating and upgrading historic districts at macro, meso, and micro levels. The economic–social dimension explores urban governance to enhance public value through collaboration between government, market, and societal actors. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, including document reviews, interviews, field observations, and statistical data analysis. The analysis highlights that a public value-oriented approach to heritage regeneration can balance historical preservation with contemporary urban needs, offering a sustainable model for other cities.

Design framework to renewal abandoned areas in historic districts

ABSTRACT Urbanization and population growth have profoundly impacted the environment of historic and cultural blocks, resulting in a lack of public buildings and spaces for internal adjustment, fostering pronounced homogeneity. This study focuses on completely abandoned areas within historical streets, integrating space syntax analysis with semantic analysis to explore reshaping regional public buildings. Unlike previous studies centered around restoring old objects, the abandoned disconnected areas require a novel regional public architecture design framework through the semantic transformation of archival photographs, historical plans, and local culture. Taking Huishan Ancient Town in Wuxi as a case study, this research comprehends the abandoned disconnection area through a literature review and examination of archival data. By using spatial syntax analysis to combine the overall pedestrian flow space with the depth of ancient historical plans, entrances are set according to the pedestrian flow, preserving unique spatial characteristics and transforming the abandoned land into new public building spaces with distinct regional and contiguous features. Through semantic translation rooted in local culture, classical elements were extracted from intangible cultural heritage and applied to the ancient town’s architectural facades, navigation systems, and structures, thereby mitigating homogenization tendencies in both spatial and cultural elements.

Variability of Land Surface Temperatures in Beijing’s Historic Districts

Variability of Land Surface Temperatures in Beijing’s Historic Districts