IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i12p5284-d1674109.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Bridging Heritage Conservation and Urban Sustainability: A Multidimensional Coupling Framework for Walkability, Greening, and Cultural Heritage in the Historic City of Shenyang

Author

Listed:
  • Li Li

    (Jangho Architecture College, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China)

  • Yongjian Wu

    (Jangho Architecture College, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China)

  • Jin Zhang

    (Jangho Architecture College, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110169, China)

Abstract

Historic cities face a dual challenge of preserving cultural authenticity and adapting to modern urbanization, yet existing studies often overlook the multidimensional coupling mechanisms critical for sustainable urban renewal. This research has proposed a replicable framework to balance heritage conservation, ecological restoration, and pedestrian mobility. Focusing on the historic city of Shenyang, this study evaluated spatial dynamics via the Walkability Index (WI), Green View Index (GVI), and Cultural Heritage Index (CHI), and quantified their coupling coordination patterns. Multisource datasets including OpenStreetMap road networks, POIs, and Baidu street-view imagery were integrated. A Coupling Coordination Degree (CCD) model was developed to assess system interactions. Results revealed moderate overall walkability (WI = 42.66) with stark regional disparities, critically low greening (GVI = 10.14%), and polarized heritage distribution (CHI = 18.73) in Shenyang historic city. Tri-system coupling was moderate (CCD = 0.409–0.608), constrained by green-heritage disconnects in key districts. This work could contribute to interdisciplinary discourse by bridging computational modeling with human-centric urban design, providing scalable insights for global historic cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Li & Yongjian Wu & Jin Zhang, 2025. "Bridging Heritage Conservation and Urban Sustainability: A Multidimensional Coupling Framework for Walkability, Greening, and Cultural Heritage in the Historic City of Shenyang," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5284-:d:1674109
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5284/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/12/5284/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paloma Guzman & Ana R. Pereira Roders & Bernard Colenbrander, 2018. "Impacts of Common Urban Development Factors on Cultural Conservation in World Heritage Cities: An Indicators-Based Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Han Zou & Yang Liu & Baihao Li & Wenjing Luo, 2022. "Sustainable Development Efficiency of Cultural Landscape Heritage in Urban Fringe Based on GIS-DEA-MI, a Case Study of Wuhan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Jun Jiang & Tiancheng Zhou & Yirui Han & Konomi Ikebe, 2022. "Urban Heritage Conservation and Modern Urban Development from the Perspective of the Historic Urban Landscape Approach: A Case Study of Suzhou," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Eun Jung Kim & Suin Jin, 2023. "Walk Score and Neighborhood Walkability: A Case Study of Daegu, South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-12, February.
    5. Ashworth, Gregory & Page, Stephen J., 2011. "Urban tourism research: Recent progress and current paradoxes," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 1-15.
    6. Frago, Lluis & Graziano, Teresa, 2021. "Public space and the green city: Conflictual narratives of the superblock programme in Poblenou, Barcelona," Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal, Henry Stewart Publications, vol. 15(1), pages 113-128, September.
    7. Alawadi, Khaled & Khanal, Asim & Doudin, Azhar & Abdelghani, Rahma, 2021. "Revisiting transit-oriented development: Alleys as critical walking infrastructure," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 187-202.
    8. Mohammed Mashary Alnaim & Abdelhakim Mesloub & Chaham Alalouch & Emad Noaime, 2025. "Reclaiming the Urban Streets: Evaluating Accessibility and Walkability in the City of Hail’s Streetscapes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-41, March.
    9. Suin Jin & Eun Jung Kim, 2024. "Correlation of the Walk Score and Environmental Perceptions with Perceived Neighborhood Walkability: The Quantile Regression Model Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-16, August.
    10. Hao Lei & Youmei Zhou, 2022. "Conducting Heritage Tourism-Led Urban Renewal in Chinese Historical and Cultural Urban Spaces: A Case Study of Datong," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-23, November.
    11. Tang, Zi, 2015. "An integrated approach to evaluating the coupling coordination between tourism and the environment," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 11-19.
    12. Yang Yang & Zhengyun Wang & Han Shen & Naipeng Jiang, 2023. "The Impact of Emotional Experience on Tourists’ Cultural Identity and Behavior in the Cultural Heritage Tourism Context: An Empirical Study on Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, May.
    13. Ansam Saleh Ali & Salahaddin Yasin Baper, 2023. "Assessment of Livability in Commercial Streets via Placemaking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-66, April.
    14. Qingtao Bai & Mingcan Gao & Hongyi Lyu & Lujia Zhang & Jiamin Zhang, 2024. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Tangible Cultural Heritage in Henan Province, China: A Watershed Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-19, October.
    15. Ouldboukhitine, Salah-Eddine & Belarbi, Rafik & Sailor, David J., 2014. "Experimental and numerical investigation of urban street canyons to evaluate the impact of green roof inside and outside buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 273-282.
    16. María García-Hernández & Manuel De la Calle-Vaquero & Claudia Yubero, 2017. "Cultural Heritage and Urban Tourism: Historic City Centres under Pressure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-19, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Panasiuk Aleksander, 2020. "Policy of Sustainable Development of Urban Tourism," Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, Sciendo, vol. 27(2), pages 33-37, June.
    2. Antonella Lerario & Silvia Di Turi, 2018. "Sustainable Urban Tourism: Reflections on the Need for Building-Related Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-25, June.
    3. Orly Carvache-Franco & Otto Regalado Pezúa & Gabriela Sirkis, 2021. "Turismo urbano en Latinoamérica. Análisis de los factores determinantes en el atractivo de las ciudades," CEMA Working Papers: Serie Documentos de Trabajo. 795, Universidad del CEMA.
    4. Gabriela Sirkis & Otto Regalado-Pezúa & Orly Carvache-Franco & Wilmer Carvache-Franco, 2022. "The Determining Factors of Attractiveness in Urban Tourism: A Study in Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Bogota, and Lima," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Carlos Martínez-Hernández & Claudia Yubero, 2019. "Explaining Urban Sustainability to Teachers in Training through a Geographical Analysis of Tourism Gentrification in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, December.
    6. Silvia Cerisola & Elisa Panzera, 2022. "Cultural participation in Cultural and Creative Cities: Positive regional outcomes and potential congestion concerns," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(6), pages 1245-1261, December.
    7. Ko Koens & Albert Postma & Bernadett Papp, 2018. "Is Overtourism Overused? Understanding the Impact of Tourism in a City Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, November.
    8. Otto Regalado-Pezúa & Gabriela Sirkis & Orly Carvache-Franco & Mauricio Carvache-Franco & Wilmer Carvache-Franco, 2022. "Urban Tourism Perception and Recommendation in Mexico City and Lima," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, November.
    9. Salvador Garcia-Ayllon, 2018. "Urban Transformations as an Indicator of Unsustainability in the P2P Mass Tourism Phenomenon: The Airbnb Case in Spain through Three Case Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-21, August.
    10. Vladimir Pavković & Darjan Karabašević & Jelena Jević & Goran Jević, 2021. "The Relationship between Cities’ Cultural Strength, Reputation, and Tourism Intensity: Empirical Evidence on a Sample of the Best-Reputable European Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-20, August.
    11. Mehrdad Chahardowli & Hassan Sajadzadeh & Farshid Aram & Amir Mosavi, 2020. "Survey of Sustainable Regeneration of Historic and Cultural Cores of Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-21, May.
    12. Francesca Leccis, 2023. "Urban Regeneration and Touristification in the Sardinian Capital City of Cagliari, Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-29, February.
    13. Dario Bertocchi & Francesco Visentin, 2019. "“The Overwhelmed City”: Physical and Social Over-Capacities of Global Tourism in Venice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-19, December.
    14. Wang, Yuxia & Cao, Wenpu & Gao, Minyi & Gao, Yukun & Chi, Xingyu & Meng, Xing & Li, Shuang & Hu, Guohua, 2024. "Examining spatial coordination of human-land-industry-service system from a regionalization approach: A case study of Beijing," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    15. Getz, Donald & Page, Stephen J., 2016. "Progress and prospects for event tourism research," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 593-631.
    16. Chengkun Huang & Feiyang Lin & Deping Chu & Lanlan Wang & Jiawei Liao & Junqian Wu, 2021. "Coupling Relationship and Interactive Response between Intensive Land Use and Tourism Industry Development in China’s Major Tourist Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-17, July.
    17. José Manuel Ordóñez-de-Haro & Jordi Perdiguero & Juan-Luis Jiménez, 2020. "Fuel prices at petrol stations in touristic cities," Tourism Economics, , vol. 26(1), pages 45-69, February.
    18. Mihalakakou, Giouli & Souliotis, Manolis & Papadaki, Maria & Menounou, Penelope & Dimopoulos, Panayotis & Kolokotsa, Dionysia & Paravantis, John A. & Tsangrassoulis, Aris & Panaras, Giorgos & Giannako, 2023. "Green roofs as a nature-based solution for improving urban sustainability: Progress and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    19. Brunetti, Giuseppe & Porti, Michele & Piro, Patrizia, 2018. "Multi-level numerical and statistical analysis of the hygrothermal behavior of a non-vegetated green roof in a mediterranean climate," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C), pages 204-219.
    20. Irene Rubino & Cristina Coscia & Rocco Curto, 2020. "Identifying Spatial Relationships between Built Heritage Resources and Short-Term Rentals before the Covid-19 Pandemic: Exploratory Perspectives on Sustainability Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-22, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5284-:d:1674109. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.