Page 27 - JCAU-6-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Multidimensional image of Guilin’s central space

Big data research and analytics represent highly 206 BCE), originating from the vicinity of the intersection
efficient methods for analyzing information such as of Zhongshan Middle Road, Jiefang East Road, and Jiefang
people’s emotional preferences and geolocation through West Road (formerly known as the Cross Street) in what
data platforms. For example, social media location data is now Xiufeng District. Over time, Xiufeng District and
is considered valuable in exploring urban structure and its surrounding neighborhoods, including Dancai District,
people’s behavior (Ma, 2017). Since posting locations on Qixing District, Xiangshan District, and Lingui District,
social media platforms is an active act, individuals typically have developed, shaping the present-day Guilin. These five
only do so deliberately when they have a strong cognition of districts, together with Yanshan District in the southeast,
a particular location (Xie et al., 2017). Moreover, travelogues collectively form the six urban districts of Guilin. However,
reflect visitation paths, frequencies, and subjective cognition the geographical barrier posed by the mountain range
of tourists in destinations. They aid in finely studying the between Lingui District and Xiufeng District, coupled with
layout of tourist nodes and the spatial patterns underlying the remote location of the late-developed Yanshan District,
visitor visitation conditions (Sheng et al., 2018). Despite the has resulted in the concentration of political, economic,
increasing emphasis on the use of various data platforms and cultural activities in the area encompassing Xiufeng
in numerous research fields, there remains ample room for District, Diecai District, Qixing District, Xiangshan
urban image research based on big data. District, and the northern part of Yanshan District lying
In summary, traditional research methods, spatial around the Guilin around-city highway. Given this
syntax research methods, and big data research methods concentration of activities, this study defines this region as
each have their own advantages and disadvantages in Guilin’s urban central space, which serves as the focal area
the field of urban image research but can complement of analysis (Figure 1).
each other. Traditional methods cover all age groups for In literature, it is evident that the natural environment
research, possess a higher level of psychological insights, is the most important factor in the formation mechanism
and offer a more intuitive three-dimensional spatial of the majority of cities. Throughout history, people have
perception compared to the other two methods. Spatial used natural factors to delineate residential areas, fortify
syntax approaches, on the one hand, compensate for positions, and establish landmarks (Tao et al., 2022; Tao
the subjectivity and lack of structural interpretation of et al., 2021), a trend observed in Guilin as well. As early as
traditional methods while, on the other hand, boasting the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220), ancient poems depicted
quantitative characteristics that are superior to those of Guilin with images such as the Duxiu Peak, Li Hill (now the
big data analysis methods (Li, 2018). Conversely, big data Elephant Hill Scenic Area), Yangjiang River (now Taohua
analysis methods can complement the above two methods River), and Lijiang River. Data analysis (Figure 2) indicates
in terms of sample size, data accuracy, speed of data that during the historical period, people’s cognition of
acquisition, and data type (Zheng et al., 2020). Guilin was mainly shaped by its natural landscape elements

This study emphasizes the influence of human activities for an extended period. The Cross Street (the intersection
on spatial patterns by integrating traditional methods, of Zhongshan Road, Jiefang West Road, Jiefang East Road,
spatial syntax research methods, and big data research and Binjiang Road in Guilin City), the Jingjiang Palace,
methods. By focusing on human cognition as the research along with other traffic streets and government agencies,
entry point, it conducts an in-depth analysis of the spatial served as main space nodes where people gathered.
image characteristics and formation laws of the urban From ancient times to the present, the urban central
central space of Guilin. The study evaluates the urban space of Guilin has been characterized by rich natural
space construction in Guilin from the perspective of resources and human elements. It boasts famous
cognizability and comprehensibility, offering appropriate attractions such as the Elephant Hill Scenic Area and the
suggestions for improvement. Sun-Moon Twin Towers, along with popular commercial
areas such as the Lianda Plaza and The Guilin MixC Mall.
2.2. Overview of the study area The main roads include Zhongshan Middle Road, Binjiang
Located in the south of China, Guilin is a prefecture- Road, and the East Second Ring Road. However, the urban
level city under the jurisdiction of the Guangxi Zhuang central space of Guilin is currently grappling with various
Autonomous Region, encompassing a total administrative issues in modern construction planning, such as tourism
area of 27,800 sqkm. Renowned as a famous landscape city development, ecological preservation, and historical and
in China, Guilin boasts a unique natural landscape pattern cultural conservation. Therefore, it is both necessary and
and rich historical and cultural heritage. Its historical roots pertinent to conduct a study on city image cognition of
trace back to the earliest records of the Qin dynasty (221 – Guilin’s urban central space.

Volume 6 Issue 3 (2024) 3 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1032