Page 88 - JCAU-7-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Spatial network analysis of hutongs

7. Conclusion iii. Urban development and population growth during the
18 century led to the emergence of new hutongs in
th
The hutong system of 18 -century Beijing evolved from Beijing, expanding upon those established during the
th
foundations laid during the Ming dynasty (1368 – 1644). Ming dynasty. This expansion introduced complexity
Influenced by urban development and population growth, to the hutong system. Despite this complexity, the
this system expanded and became increasingly complex. spatial organization between the hutong system and
However, recent scholarship suggests that, although landmark roads facilitated effective integration with
Beijing’s hutong system appears complex, it demonstrates the broader urban road network, maintaining high
high efficiency and convenience in practice. Most existing levels of traffic convenience.
studies rely on qualitative research, lacking the quantitative iv. By introducing the concept of “landmark road,”
analysis necessary to validate these claims. Although certain this study highlights how the complex hutong
studies have applied quantitative methods to investigate the system achieves high traffic efficiency in practical
convenience of hutong areas, they predominantly focus on applications. Quantitative analysis of regional
specific parts of modern Beijing’s hutong areas. As a result, accessibility uncovers a consistent spatial
these studies fail to represent the broader hutong system, organization relationship between the hutong system
neglect the original layout, and overlook the dynamic and landmark roads. This spatial organization allows
interaction between the hutong system and the extensive the complex hutong system to interact dynamically
urban road network. Consequently, they fail to fully reveal with the broader urban road network in daily
how the hutong system achieves high mobility efficiency operations, thereby enhancing the overall traffic
despite its complexity.
efficiency of the area.
Building on this premise, the present study argues that
The findings of the present study have significant
the high efficiency and traffic convenience of Beijing’s implications for urban design and planning. The interaction
18 -century hutong system were significantly influenced between the hutong system and urban landmark roads
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by its spatial connection to the city’s landmark roads. demonstrates that effectively integrating a dense road
Utilizing the Qianlong Jingcheng Quantu map, which network can significantly enhance overall traffic flow and
accurately reflects the 18th-century road structure of efficiency. Therefore, in urban expansion and the renovation
Beijing, this study utilizes spatial network analysis and of older districts, introducing small, multi-directional
regional accessibility indicators to quantitatively analyze
the spatial connections between the Dongcheng district’s roads—similar to those in the hutong system—can improve
hutong system and landmark roads. internal circulation, reduce traffic congestion, and increase
the accessibility and flexibility of large-scale urban road
The findings are summarized as follows: networks. By adopting the spatial layout strategies of the
i. During the 18 century, the road network in Beijing’s hutong system, planners can create more adaptable and
th
Dongcheng district transformed into a network of links efficient urban spaces.
and nodes, represented by 948 nodes within the hutong In addition, the hutong system demonstrates how
system. Among these, 796 nodes (84% of the total) had a
spatial depth value of three steps or fewer from landmark compact spaces can support community coherence.
roads. This finding reveals a distinct and regular spatial Modern urban design can leverage this model to create
relationship between the hutong system and landmark environments that facilitate both transportation and
roads, reflecting a well-defined spatial organizational community interaction. Hutongs are not only vital
logic despite the system’s apparent complexity. components of urban cultural heritage but also serve as
ii. The 18 -century Dongcheng district was divided into essential elements in contemporary urban design. By
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integrating the historical characteristics of hutongs into
27 areas by landmark roads. Of these, 20 areas had
over 80 percent of their nodes within a spatial depth modern designs, cities can preserve their cultural identity
of three steps or fewer from landmark roads. However, while addressing functional requirements.
in five areas, this percentage was notably lower. This The quantitative data presented in this study serve as an
discrepancy can be attributed to the presence of important reference for policymakers and urban planners.
numerous shorter hutongs in these five areas and In responding to the challenges of an aging society and
a lack of routes connecting directly to landmark the transformation of older urban areas, measures such as
roads. Furthermore, the absence of highly connected adding convenient facilities and optimizing public spaces at
hutongs increases the topological distance between high-accessibility intersections should be considered. These
these spaces and landmark roads, thereby diminishing strategies can enhance transportation convenience, improve
the accessibility of these areas. residents’ comfort, and simultaneously protect and utilize

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2025) 11 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4608