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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Practice of culturally relevant communities

Figure 10. Diverse spaces generating diverse interactions and reshaping social networks. Source: Drawings by the authors

old unitary culture with the emerging community culture an element of spatial remodeling but also as an endogenous
contribute to the formation of a new culture. In essence, driving force to activate the community and reshape the social
cultural events open new avenues for community cultural network of residents. Using cultural memory as a guiding
expression and maximize the vitality of the community. principle encourages residents to reflect on past years and
promotes emotional exchanges. Employing cultural symbols
3.1.4. Social regeneration: Reshaping social networks as carriers reshapes the community context and invigorates
Traditional Chinese neighborhoods are characterized public space. Utilizing cultural activities as connectors
by a strong sense of individual belonging and collective strengthens identity and builds a social network. Applying
identity, a characteristic even more pronounced in unitary cultural forms as methods enriches cultural expression,
communities with their concentrated nature. However, as ensuring the sustainable development of the community.
urbanization and population mobility accelerate, the once
harmonious neighborly relationships are gradually fading, 5. Conclusion
and the relatively closed living style resembles a “transparent The renewal of unitary communities can use unitary culture
wall” within the community (Wang & Gao, 2021). The as a medium to establish a grassroots governance system for
social network built on trust is gradually disintegrating, residents through collective memory and the spirit of place.
leading to an increased likelihood of conflicts arising from This process involves reconstructing both the material and
conflicting interests. To address this challenge, a consensus spiritual spaces of the old community, transforming it from
is required to guide people toward voluntary cooperation a mere collection of individual dwellings into a diversified
and harmonious coexistence. While each individual has a and sustainable community capable of accommodating
unique family and personality, their life trajectories converge residents’ interactions, sports, recreation, and leisure
here, with local community culture serving as the greatest activities. In projects focused on renovating similar types
common denominator among residents. Engaging residents of communities, the designer’s task extends beyond
in social activities through public participation harnesses the expressing cultural symbols at the spatial or landscape level.
power of culture and spirituality to unite people, fostering More importantly, the designer must use culture as a link
the creation of new neighborhoods with each exchange. This to connect with the emotional memory of the community
gradual process contributes to reshaping a harmonious and residents in the preliminary research. This connection is
congenial social network (Figure 10). instrumental in repairing the long-sealed, harmonious
neighborhood relationships between residents during the
4. Discussion renovation process. For subsequent research, exploring the
Spaces undergo instantaneous changes; yet, the impact combination of the varied spatial and temporal behaviors of
that spatial transformations have on human relations and community residents allows for a deeper understanding of
behavior is profound. Culture, beyond being a product of the multiple functions of community cultural space. Such
history and civilization, stands as a valuable resource. This insights may provide valuable support for the dynamic
article, rooted in the theory of cultural regeneration, leverages transformation of community spaces.
community-specific culture to remodel the landscape and Acknowledgments
create public space in the unitary system of the old Dongba
Town neighborhood in Beijing. The study explores the None.
impact and interaction of cultural space regeneration on the
social networks of community residents. Findings from the Funding
remodeling process lead to the conclusion that in the search The study was supported by (i) Organized Research Base
for community regeneration, culture serves not merely as of North China University of Technology: Planning

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 10 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.0923