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A Syntactical Spatio-Functional Analysis of Four Typical Historic Chinese Towns from a Heritage Tourism Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Pan Liao

    (School of Architecture and Design, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China)

  • Rongrong Yu

    (UniSA Creative, IVE: Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Ning Gu

    (UniSA Creative, IVE: Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Sahar Soltani

    (UniSA Creative, IVE: Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
    Future Building Initiative, Caulfield Campus, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3145, Australia)

Abstract

This study presents a quantitative approach to exploring the spatio-functional characteristics of historic Chinese towns (HCTs) from a heritage tourism perspective. In recent years, HCTs have evolved from being resident-oriented to being more tourist-oriented, in part due to their heritage significance for attracting tourists. Spatio-functional qualities of a historic town are essential elements of the town’s urban morphology and of great concern for preservation. Previous studies that discussed this issue often used qualitative descriptions, and only limited studies have systematically explored the spatio-functional qualities of HCTs. Thus, there is presently a lack of understanding around this issue, especially based on rigorous quantitative approaches. This study examines the spatio-functional qualities of HCTs using space syntax, a commonly used method in urban studies that enables measurement of spatial characteristics through mathematical means. Four HCTs with heritage significance, Pingyao, Lijiang, Kulangsu, and Wuzhen, were selected as case studies. The study has examined the role of heritage tourism and the results show that tourist-focused functions tend to distribute and aggregate in the urban core of HCTs. By contrast, cultural relics are freely distributed and not expanded over time. Spatio-functional patterns of the four HCTs were theorised, and the paper concludes with suggestions regarding future land-use optimisation for the four HCTs concerning heritage tourism.

Suggested Citation

  • Pan Liao & Rongrong Yu & Ning Gu & Sahar Soltani, 2022. "A Syntactical Spatio-Functional Analysis of Four Typical Historic Chinese Towns from a Heritage Tourism Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-30, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:12:p:2181-:d:990511
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jing Shen & Rung-Jiun Chou, 2021. "Cultural Landscape Development Integrated with Rural Revitalization: A Case Study of Songkou Ancient Town," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-20, April.
    2. Mahsa Mansouri & Norsidah Ujang, 2017. "Space syntax analysis of tourists’ movement patterns in the historical district of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia," Journal of Urbanism: International Research on Placemaking and Urban Sustainability, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 10(2), pages 163-180, April.
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