Page 15 - JCAU-6-4

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Suzhou heritage building reuse

4.2. Four categories of value advocacy of heritage The third is “Yi wen xing ye” (以文兴业; heritage as
reuse in Suzhou fuels to revitalize the industry). The historical development
and economic prosperity of Suzhou are intricately tied to
Following a thorough examination of the abovementioned
cases with a specific focus on value construction, this study its industrial and commercial growth, with a particular
emphasis on the grain trade, traditional Chinese
highlights the four main categories of value advocacy in medicine and herbs, silk production, and water-town
Suzhou, aligned with the inherent values of the heritage
and evident in Suzhou’s heritage reuse practice (Table 3). markets. Suzhou still preserves a rich array of industrial
heritage in these sectors, including granaries, traditional
The first is “Yi wen hua ren” (以文化人; heritage as pharmacies, silk factories, and markets. By retaining their
mentors to nurture the humanity). As a World Heritage original functions and reusing these industrial heritage
City, Suzhou possesses a wealth of cultural resources. The sites through adopting suitable new business models or
reuse of Suzhou’s garden heritage, educational heritage, and introducing novel industries, Suzhou fosters rejuvenation.
other heritage buildings serves as a platform to promote art This approach preserves the historical memory of Suzhou’s
and esthetics. These buildings play a vital role in guiding commerce and sustains the city’s economic model,
the community toward spiritual and esthetic enrichment, providing fresh impetus for its economic development.
fostering a culture of appreciation, and cultivating healthy The fourth is “Yi wen zhu cheng” (以文筑城; heritage
pursuits through diverse community cultural activities.
as resources to enhance the city). Among the heritage
The second is “Yi wen bao guo” (以文报国; heritage buildings in Suzhou, there are many waterfront dwellings
as warriors to serve the country). Suzhou boasts a rich with historical value and cultural characteristics. The
revolutionary history and notable residences of influential protection and reuse of these heritage buildings promote
figures, embodying the spirit of family and country. the overall protection and enhancement of the city. This
Through their reuse, these heritage buildings can effectively preservation effort augments the city’s cultural soft power,
convey and narrate local humanistic stories, inspiring improves the quality of its ecological environment, and
present-day youth and perpetuating cultural values. reinforces its overall appeal.

Table 3. Sampling matrix based on value construction

Representative image Value construction Type Name
Yi wen hua ren Heritage Suzhou garden 1 Humble Administrator’s 拙政园
(以文化人) as mentors Garden
to nurture 2 Chang Garden 畅园
humanity
Educational 3 Temple of Literature 苏州文庙
heritage 4 Tieqin Tongjian Building 铁琴铜剑楼

Yi wen bao guo Heritage as Revolutionary 5 Wusa Road 五卅路
(以文报国) warriors to legacy 6 Jiangkang East Road 江抗东路旧址
serve the
country Residence 7 Wang Ganchang’s Residence 王淦昌故居
heritage of 8 Pan Zuyin’s Residence 潘祖荫故居
celebrity
Yi wen xing ye Heritage Industrial 9 Wansheng Rice Company 万盛米行
(以文兴业) as fuels to heritage 10 Caocangzhou Ci 曹沧州祠
revitalize the
industry 11 Pingwang-Sihe Jinghang Daji 平望·四河京杭大集
12 Sulun Fang 苏纶坊

Yi wen zhu Heritage as a Waterfront 13 Pan’s Residence in front of 卫道观前潘宅
cheng resources to residential Weidao Guan
(以文筑城) enhance the heritage 14 Pan Yifen’s Residence 潘镒芬故居
city
15 Aiqing Tang 蔼庆堂
16 Zhiren Li 志仁里
Source: Drawings by Qinyi Shi

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2158