Page 100 - JCAU-6-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Residential urban heritage space study

A B

Figure 6. Comparative classification map of residential heritage spaces in the research sites. (A) Residential heritage space assessment classification map of
Pingjiang historic district. (B) Residential heritage space assessment classification map of Nakauji district. Source: Drawings by the authors

diminished accessibility (e.g., ZY10, ZY11, and ZY13) residential urban heritage spaces. External forces penetrate
preserve zones with potential for residential heritage the site along paths characterized by higher centrality,
conservation. thereby introducing modern spatial paradigms. In the case
of Pingjiang Road Historic District, its grid-like spatial
On the other hand, the resource agglomeration
effect, spurred by historical heritage, has empowered structure creates areas of elevated centrality within the site
certain enterprises to consolidate land and acquire itself. Changes occurring within internal spaces synergize
with external forces, collectively altering the material
construction capabilities for the entire area. This composition of the space. This change frequently manifests
phenomenon has precipitated the formation of modern as block-by-block spatial transformation, influenced by the
commercial and residential districts encircling the core scale and form of traditional courtyards.
area of World Heritage protection (e.g., ZY3, ZY4, and
ZY5). Consequently, the traditional Japanese residential In contrast, the development of the Nakauji
spatial paradigms inherited from the Edo period have Historic District is externally driven, influenced by a
been replaced by the latest high-end apartments and strong destination pull (Byodo-in’s Phoenix Hall). The
shops within these plots (e.g., ZY6 and ZY7), thereby transformation unfolds along major transportation routes,
engendering zones characterized by imbalanced historical representing a form of spatial change that radiates from the
heritage development, thus adversely affecting the overall external periphery inward.
spatial character. Moreover, both sites employ distinct mechanisms
to resist the intrusion of external forces based on their
6.3. Case comparative compare analysis
respective spatial and architectural structures. Within
In the analysis of the two case studies, we observed the Pingjiang Road Historic District, the “resistance” is
that spatial topology and architectural structure exert primarily generated by the morphology of streets and
significant influence on the material composition of alleys, which protects the deeper residential urban heritage

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 14 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1732