Page 11 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Suzhou heritage building reuse

Table 1. (Continued)
Study Evaluation dimensions/factors Keywords
Bosone et al. (2021) Society Social benefits
Culture Value interpretation
Economy Economic benefits
Environment Environmental benefits
Arfa et al. (2022) Social value creation Social benefits
Cultural enhancement Value interpretation
Architectural enhancement Technology and design
Environmental sustainability Environmental benefits
Economic value creation Economic benefits
Innovation Technology and design
Vafaie et al. (2023) Architectural Value interpretation
Structural Technology and design
Socio-cultural Social benefits
Economic Economic benefits
Environmental Environmental benefits
Energy-related Environmental benefits
Authenticity Value interpretation
Legal Institutions and policies
Management Management and operation
Functional considerations Value interpretation

Administration and design documents from key firms such as Heritage Cities Program (OWHC, 2006) and is home
Suzhou Historic and Cultural City Development Group Co., to two World Heritage properties: Classical Gardens of
Ltd. and Suzhou Jicheng Cultural Artifacts Construction Suzhou and The Grand Canal (UNESCO, 2014). With a
Engineering Co., Ltd. In terms of data analysis, this study history of more than 2500 years, Suzhou boasts a wealth
adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The of built heritage resources, including classical gardens,
quantitative analysis draws data extracted from government historical water towns, historic districts, and intricate canal
systems, design documents, and community reports, systems. Throughout its enduring commitment to heritage
quantifying factors influencing reused heritage buildings, conservation, Suzhou has consistently been at the forefront
such as the scale of activities and passenger flow. Qualitative of safeguarding and preserving architectural heritage,
analysis derives insights from text analyses of on-site research setting an exemplary standard not only within China but
interviews and online evaluations, revealing cultural, social, also on a global scale.
and environmental factors underlying the changes brought Regarding the reuse of heritage buildings, Suzhou has
about by architectural heritage reuse. been actively exploring this aspect since the 1990s and has
Moreover, this article seeks to integrate perspectives from made various useful attempts, including opening museums,
various disciplines, including architecture, anthropology, memorials, cultural management offices, and sightseeing
historical building conservation engineering, and places in heritage buildings (Shen, 2021). Suzhou has
urban planning. By adopting a multidimensional and also encouraged the establishment of cultural activities in
multidirectional approach, this article aims to explore both the heritage buildings and allowed some heritage buildings to
theoretical and practical aspects of reusing heritage buildings. carry out business activities with restrictions. Through a
progression from pilot projects to full-scale implementation,
2. The practices of reusing heritage beginning with the archaeological survey and gradually
buildings in Suzhou encompassing high-level heritage buildings, Suzhou has
accumulated substantial experience in this field (Ying,
This study focuses on Suzhou, located in the Yangtze River 2021). At the same time, Suzhou has established a state-
Delta in East China, which is part of UNESCO’s World owned enterprise to strengthen the protection of heritage

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2158