Page 102 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Cultural exposition of architectural heritage

material technologies of a given era (Liu, 2023). Moreover, components, societal codes for living and working, and even
architectural heritage reflects social order and stability, the impact of buildings on overall social development, such as
human relationships, and values. It also encapsulates politics. This dimension also explores the lifestyles fashioned
specific periods, locations, and events, recalling people’s by people in the spaces around architecture. The spiritual
memories and associations. Architecture and the built dimension of architectural culture encompasses the intangible
environment, as focal points of human art, technology, and features of a building that evoke collective memories, identity,
esthetics, eventually transform into architectural heritage- and emotional connections among people.
eternal classics imbued with cultural symbolism and The heritage interpretation system is an open and
the values of a specific time. Since architectural heritage dynamic research process. In the course of this continuous
represents traditional culture, it also forms part and parcel interpretation, architectural space is considered not only
of the modern aspects of the urban planning processes.
for its built character but also in relation to history and
Pingyao historical city, with a history spanning society. The placement of architectural heritage within
over 2700 years (Zhang, 2022), has survived wars and a contemporary social context enables a human-centric
modernization, making it older and better preserved than interpretation of cultural values for the new era. This
many other well-known historical cities such as Lijiang old approach highlights how people’s own historical values
town, Huizhou historical city, and Langzhong historical city affect architectural heritage culture while illustrating the
(Li et al., 2022). The architectural design and city planning relationships between human values and social development,
from the Ming (1368 – 1644) and Qing (1644 – 1911) dynasties human actions and architectural space, and the interaction
remain highly preserved in Pingyao. By summarizing the between human concepts and traditional culture.
architectural evidence from Pingyao in terms of its material, The cultural characteristics of urban and architectural
social, and spiritual domains, the current study proposes a heritage create distinctiveness and heterogeneity, forming
framework and process for the cultural exposition model for
architectural heritage culture (Figure 1). This approach offers the foundation for a city’s civilizational development.
The protection of architectural heritage is essential for
a novel perspective on understanding architectural culture as understanding and interpreting Pingyao’s architectural
both a material and a spiritual entity. The tangible cultural
heritage of Pingyao historical city is most prominently culture. Architectural heritage culture is seamlessly
expressed through its historical architecture, rich with integrated into the reproduction of urban life, providing a
centripetal force and imagination for cultural identity.
cultural significance. Technological advancements in
architecture, construction, and design reflect societal culture, The current study focuses on three key objectives:
while the spiritual aspects of the culture shape people’s (i) To explore the concept of architectural heritage as
beliefs and practices. This research indicates that alongside a lens for understanding the historical, social, and
the materialization of culture in Pingyao, spiritual cultural esthetic values of a culture.
elements have accumulated over time. (ii) To examine the material, social, and spiritual
Architectural culture’s material dimension refers to the dimensions of architectural heritage culture, using
tangible aspects of culture made visible in physical terms: Pingyao historical city as a case study.
external and independent structures, internal decorations, (iii) To introduce a cultural exposition model for
or colors, as well as unique functional spaces (Liu, 2023). architectural heritage culture, based on the evidence
Together, these elements reflect how, from a technical from Pingyao.
perspective, architecture evolves throughout history, 2. The background of the study site:
shaping the cultural features unique to each period. The
social dimension of architectural culture emphasizes the Pingyao historical city
functional value of architecture within society. This includes Pingyao historical city, located in Shanxi province, China,
the allocation of social and ethical spaces within architectural plays a crucial role in differentiating architectural history

Figure 1. Flowchart showing the aim of the study

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4189