Understanding the spatial structures and morphological changes of historic Chinese built environments using angular segment analysis

Preserving the spatial characteristics of the built environments is a critical component for retaining historical cultural value. However, there is a lack of quantitative and systematic spatial analysis of Historic Chinese Built Environments (HCBE) in the literature especially at a medium scale. This study applies angular segment analysis (ASA) to analyse both the spatial structures and morphological changes of HCBEs. Four case studies exemplifying the core characteristics of HCBEs were selected for ASA (Pingyao, Lijiang, Kulangsu, and Wuzhen). The resulting knowledge yielded by this ASA provided three outcomes including the spatial structures, the morphological changes and the influence of traditional Chinese ideology on the design and planning principles of HCBE. While the ASA has provided insights into the inherent unique characteristics of the four HCBE cases, it has also illuminated specific spatial and morphological characteristics that should be acknowledged in any future heritage-conservation or -tourism renewal planning policies and projects.

留存建成环境的空间特征，是维系历史文化价值的核心环节。然而当前学界针对中国历史建成环境（Historic Chinese Built Environments, HCBE）的定量、系统性空间分析仍较为匮乏，中尺度层面的相关研究尤显不足。本研究采用角度分段分析（angular segment analysis, ASA）方法，对中国历史建成环境的空间结构与形态演变展开系统分析。本研究选取平遥、丽江、鼓浪屿、乌镇四类能够体现中国历史建成环境核心特征的案例，开展角度分段分析。本次角度分段分析取得的研究成果可归纳为三个维度：中国历史建成环境的空间结构特征、形态演变规律，以及中国传统思想对该类环境设计与规划原则的影响机制。尽管角度分段分析已揭示了这四个中国历史建成环境案例所固有的独特属性，同时也明确了一系列特定的空间与形态特征——这些特征在未来的历史遗产保护或旅游更新规划政策与项目中均应予以充分考量。