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Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage

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A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 6504

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Quanhua Hou

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Guest Editor

School of Architecture, Chang'an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Interests: urban and rural planning; spatial resilience; land transfer; urban–rural integration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yingtao Qi

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Guest Editor

School of Human Settlement and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Interests: renewal of urban–rural built environment; protection and development of traditional villages

Prof. Dr. Bo Gao

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Guest Editor

School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: research of regional architecture; research of green building localization

Prof. Dr. Minghui Xue

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Guest Editor

School of Architecture and Design, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150006, China
Interests: urban renewal and urban underground space; community design and rural design; architectural environmental psychology

Prof. Dr. Jiansong Lu

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Guest Editor

School of Architecture and Planning, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Interests: architecture regionalism in spontaneous buildings; practice and theory of rural architectural creation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many countries and regions around the world are experiencing shrinking populations, due to aging and lower numbers of children, and urban and rural development is facing unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Population contraction not only affects the sustainable development of the economy and society, but also puts forward new requirements for urban and rural spatial structures, allocation of public service facilities, and protection of ecological environments and traditional culture. Therefore, how to put forward appropriate coping methods and strategies in the age of shrinking populations has become a critical issue.

This Special Issue on “Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage” aims to compile the state-of-the-art knowledge on this matter. Submissions may concern theoretical or applied research in areas such as spatial environments of urban and rural areas, public service facilities, traditional architecture and culture, or other fields on the demand for urban and rural renewal. Moreover, experimental work resulting in research articles, case studies, and comprehensive review articles is suitable for publication.

Prof. Dr. Quanhua Hou
Dr. Yingtao Qi
Prof. Dr. Bo Gao
Prof. Dr. Minghui Xue
Prof. Dr. Jiansong Lu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

population shrinkage
urban–rural spatial structure
urban–rural ecological environment
public service facility
traditional architecture and culture
planning and renewal strategy
people oriented

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 9042 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Living Behavior and Space Usage Preference of Residents in Traditional Huizhou Dwellings

by Xiang Gao, Zao Li, Qiang Wang, Geng Cheng, Mingfei Gao and Maosheng Ye

Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1488; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091488 - 28 Apr 2025

Viewed by 154

Abstract

This study explores the challenges faced by traditional dwellings amid modernization and urbanization, with a particular focus on Huizhou dwellings, which struggle with issues such as inefficient space use and suboptimal spatial quality. This study employs UWB (ultra-wideband) indoor positioning technology to examine differences in residents’ production/living behaviors and their spatial usage preferences between two Huizhou traditional dwellings with distinct preservation statuses during both the summer and winter seasons. The study reveals the following findings: (1) The hall, courtyard, and kitchen spaces are the most frequently used living areas, followed by wing rooms and patio spaces. Differences in spatial organization patterns significantly influence residents’ preferences for alternating between various functional spaces. Residents tend to favor functional spaces centered around or adjacent to key circulation areas; (2) In summer, the patio space provides shade and ventilation, creating a cool and comfortable environment that supports a variety of living activities, resulting in high utilization rates. In winter, however, the patio space hinders heat retention for the inner facade, leading to lower temperatures and reduced usage; (3) The utilization rate of wing room spaces has significantly improved after simple renovations, whereas unrenovated wing rooms and side rooms exhibit relatively low utilization rates; (4) During fine weather in winter, the courtyard space maintains a relatively comfortable temperature, making it highly utilized. In contrast, the courtyard becomes excessively hot in summer, leading to significantly lower utilization rates compared with winter. By analyzing residents’ behavioral trajectories, the study explores the differences in living behaviors and their correlation with residential spaces across the different seasons and preservation states of traditional dwellings. These results offer important perspectives for the sustainable development of residential conservation and renewal efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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30 pages, 28765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Spatial Renewal of Atypical Traditional Villages Based on Modular Intelligent Grouping—Yuguang Village in China as an Example

by Zao Li, Xiao Guo, Qiang Wang, Geng Cheng and Hanyue Tong

Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1487; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091487 - 28 Apr 2025

Viewed by 179

Abstract

There are a large number of atypical traditional villages in Huizhou, China. These villages are facing a huge increase in spatial renewal and construction due to the problems of fragmented historical space and unbalanced spatial structure. Therefore, taking Yuguang Village as an example, this paper proposes an efficient spatial renewal method: by analyzing the space of traditional villages, simulated villages, and modern villages, three modules of traditional “continuation”, transitional “integration”, and modern “reconstruction” are constructed, and the “discrete aggregation” algorithm is used to combine and simulate these modules in various ways. Finally, the generated results are reasonably analyzed by the fractal theory. The application results of the methods above show that, based on the regional setting of spatial combination and the differential analysis of spatial distribution, intelligent organization technology can weaken the dual separation status of traditional and modern, and realize the targeted and reasonable evaluation of spatial transition and synergistic effect. The technical route can provide innovative and efficient design reference for the renewal of a large number of atypical traditional villages and other types of villages, which has universal and extensible applicability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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20 pages, 11388 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Resource-Oriented Treatment Technologies for Rural Domestic Sewage in China Amidst Population Shrinkage: A Case Study of Heyang County in Guanzhong Region, Shaanxi Province

by Mei Huang, Degang Duan, Sicheng Tan and Ling Huang

Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1417; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091417 - 23 Apr 2025

Viewed by 247

Abstract

The rural population shrinkage caused by China’s imbalanced regional development poses challenges to infrastructure configuration and operation. Traditional centralized sewage treatment models face issues in cost-effectiveness, facility utilization rates, and sustainable maintenance, necessitating the exploration of adaptive governance technologies under new demographic conditions. The utilization-driven governance approach is recognized as an emerging method for rural domestic sewage management. This study selects Heyang County, a representative agricultural area in Guanzhong Plain, as a case study. Through mixed-methods research integrating qualitative and quantitative approaches, we analyze the correlation between the Population Shrinkage Index (PSI) and facility operational efficiency, investigate the impact of resident population dynamics on rural sewage treatment patterns, and establish a theoretical “Source–Transmission–Sink” framework. Synthesizing local traditional governance practices with modern technological solutions, we propose a resource-oriented treatment system adapted to population shrinkage trends, comprising three technical components: source process reduction, transmission process interception, and sink process attenuation. This research emphasizes adjusting green water infrastructure (GWI) spatial configurations according to village characteristics in production–living–ecological spaces, forming a hierarchical attenuation mechanism through circular transmission pathways. This facilitates the transition from gray-infrastructure-dependent models to holistic pollution control systems with resource recovery capabilities. The findings provide theoretical foundations for policymaking and infrastructure planning in rural sewage management, offering significant references for sustainable rural water resource governance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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21 pages, 5927 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation and Optimization of Urban Street Spatial Quality Based on Street View Images and Machine Learning: A Case Study of the Jinan Old City

by Peipei Li, Yabing Xu, Zichuan Liu, Haitao Jiang and Anzhen Liu

Buildings 2025, 15(9), 1408; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15091408 - 22 Apr 2025

Viewed by 120

Abstract

As one of the most important urban public spaces, the design and management of streets have shifted from “two-dimensional plan” to “three-dimensional space”, and higher requirements have been put forward for the scale and precision of urban design. The core research question of this research is how to refine street spatial quality measurement and evaluation based on multitemporal street view images, while providing basic data and corresponding decision support for updates and renovations. “One Garden and Twelve Fangs” in Jinan old city is the core area of the Jinan Commercial Port District. It integrates diverse cultural elements of tradition and modernity, local and foreign, and is of great significance to the cultural inheritance and urban development of Jinan. Nowadays, there is a lack of vitality, lagging development, and shorting of high-quality living service facilities here. How to enhance the overall vitality of the region and drive regional social value is an urgent problem that needs to be solved at present. This research takes the old city area of Jinan as the research scope, constructs a street space quality evaluation model through street view images and machine learning, and establishes the connection between quantitative research on street space quality and urban renewal practice. In this research, the standard system will be supplemented and improved, and the practicality of the application will be enhanced through more refined evaluation models. The evaluation indicators include walkability, green visibility, enclosure, openness, imaginability, coordination, extreme boundary area, and interface transparency. This article provides a feasible framework and paradigm for measuring the quality of large-scale and high-precision street spaces through the combination of big data and artificial intelligence, effectively bridging the gap between spatial quantification research and urban renewal practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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14 pages, 3992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Flexible Control of Urban Development Intensity in Response to Population Shrinkage: A Case Study of Shantou City

by Peng Zhang and Hui Pu

Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1378; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081378 - 21 Apr 2025

Viewed by 166

Abstract

This study proposes replacing traditional single-value urban development intensity control with an elastic interval-based approach to address urban development challenges under population shrinkage. It constructs a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) assignment framework guided by “ideal value determination—interval value demarcation—specific value agreement”. The northern central urban area of Shantou City serves as an empirical case. The study, focusing on the conflict between inefficient expansion and population loss, delineates elastic development intensity intervals through multi-dimensional factor analysis: a baseline FAR is determined based on master plan objectives and resource carrying capacity; upper limits are calculated considering transportation and ecological constraints; and lower limits are set according to economic feasibility and social demands, forming a gradient-based control framework. Practically, the study area is divided into differentiated density units, with optimized pathways designed for newly developed, under-construction, and existing plots across multiple scenarios. A multi-stakeholder negotiation mechanism is established to dynamically adapt elastic intervals. Results demonstrate that this method maintains the regulatory authority of master plans while significantly enhancing the adaptability of spatial governance. It provides a theoretical and practical paradigm for balancing regulatory rigidity and flexibility in shrinking cities, offering actionable solutions for vacancy risk mitigation and land-use intensification. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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28 pages, 11756 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Complex Effects and Their Spatial Associations of the Built Environment on the Vitality of Community Life Circles Using an eXtreme Gradient Boosting–SHapley Additive exPlanations Approach: A Case Study of Xi’an

by Keju Liu, Dian Zhou, Yingtao Qi, Mingzhi Zhang, Yulin Ren, Yupeng Wei and Jinghan Wang

Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1372; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081372 - 20 Apr 2025

Viewed by 134

Abstract

Disentangling the effects of the built environment on urban vitality at the scale of community life circles is crucial for informing precise urban planning and design, particularly in the context of urban renewal. However, studies examining the complex relationships and spatial heterogeneity in these effects remain limited, hindering the identification of built environment characteristics that may generate sustainable benefits. Therefore, this study took Xi’an, a typical high-density city in Northwest China, as an example. The eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model and the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) method were utilized to reveal threshold effects and spatial correlations between the built environment and community life circles’ vitality across varying buffer zones. The results show that (1) there is a significant spatial correlation between the built environment and the core–periphery structure of community life circles’ vitality. (2) Indicators, such as facility accessibility, the floor area ratio, intersection density, and the residential land use ratio, contribute significantly to community life circles’ vitality. (3) While the micro-built environment and socio-economic factors show limited contributions, their collaboration with the macro-built environment can enhance their individual effects, highlighting the necessity of taking them into account together. These findings provide new insights into supporting community life circles’ vitality through urban planning and design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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25 pages, 7694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Traditional Settlements to Arrival Cities: A Study on Contemporary Residential Patterns in Chinese Siheyuan

by Mengying Wang, Xin Xu, Yingtao Qi and Dingqing Zhang

Buildings 2025, 15(8), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15081216 - 8 Apr 2025

Viewed by 312

Abstract

With the rapid expansion of Chinese cities, traditional siheyuan in some old urban areas and historic districts have gradually transformed into overcrowded courtyard tenements inhabited primarily by rural migrants. Multiple families reside together in one siheyuan, creating a housing model akin to “shared housing”. Due to the complex relationship between property rights holders and users, coupled with the absence of a unified management and supervision system, siheyuan residents are confronted with the predicament of aging buildings, backward infrastructure, and poor living conditions. Finding a means of improving living conditions while maintaining the existing settlement style and population structure is an issue that demands urgent resolution. This study focuses on Mizhi, an ancient city in Shaanxi Province, China. Through the investigation and mapping of 31 typical siheyuan and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 160 families, it reveals the property rights division, current spatial usage, and future demands of the residents of traditional settlements dominated by siheyuan and proposes suggestions for their renewal. This study finds that siheyuan can be categorized into three types based on property rights, that the primary motivation for migration is to access quality educational resources, and that the insufficiency of per capita facilities is the primary source of inconvenience in residents’ lives. Future siheyuan renewal efforts should adopt a multi-stakeholder framework that integrates the government, urban planners, and residents. Improving the residential environment requires a dual strategy: optimizing spatial design and strengthening policy management. This research provides fundamental data for the protection and renewal of siheyuan and has practical reference value for formulating future settlement development strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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19 pages, 11414 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Evolution of Villages in China’s Rural Return Process: A Study of Village-Scale Transformations in Zhejiang Province

by Zhaoteng Jin, Kai Gong, Yifei Pei and Naoko Saio

Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071162 - 2 Apr 2025

Viewed by 351

Abstract

In recent years, rural return has emerged as a significant trend in China, largely driven by central and local government policies promoting rural revitalization and urban-to-rural migration. This study aims to explore the impact of rural return on the evolution of rural spaces at the village level in China, with a particular focus on how urban-to-rural migration reshapes village spatial structures. This study examines the spatial implications of this phenomenon through case studies of three traditional villages in Zhejiang Province, utilizing qualitative fieldwork, spatial mapping, and in-depth interviews. By analyzing migration patterns, residential choices, and subsequent spatial transformations, this research elucidates how urban-to-rural migrants reshape spatial structures at the village level and integrate into local communities. The research findings reveal that the proportion of the migrant population is less than 30%, yet this relatively small proportion has brought significant changes to the village, manifested in the substantial increase in third spaces within the village. The study also identifies ten distinct migration types within the sample, with short-term residency comprising the majority, and migrants’ relocation needs play a crucial role in determining spatial adaptations. The predominant strategy for village integration involves the functional transformation of traditional dwellings into mixed-use commercial and residential spaces, as well as the renovation of existing structures to accommodate new social and economic activities. Additionally, the study underscores the active participation of migrants in public life and communal spaces as a key driver of spatial regeneration. This research contributes to the understanding of rural transformation in contemporary China by demonstrating that urban-to-rural migration not only reshapes village spatial configurations but also catalyzes social and functional revitalization. These insights provide a nuanced perspective on the evolving dynamics of rural settlements and inform future rural development strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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23 pages, 4940 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revitalization of Traditional Villages Oriented to SDGs: Identification of Sustainable Livelihoods and Differentiated Management Strategies

by Ding He and Yameng Zhang

Buildings 2025, 15(7), 1127; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15071127 - 30 Mar 2025

Viewed by 350

Abstract

Livelihood diversification for traditional villages is essential to reducing poverty, addressing rural hollowing, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shanxi Province—with its wealth of ancient villages, diverse cultural heritage, and unique landscapes—serves as a critical case for analyzing livelihood strategies. This research proposes a framework for livelihood diversification in Shanxi Province’s 619 traditional villages. Firstly, we constructed an indicator system to measure livelihood assets, including ecological stability, economic feasibility, land productivity, cultural inheritance, and social service capacity. Then, the trade-offs and synergies between each pair of assets are explored based on the correlation tests and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. Finally, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) model is employed to cluster the dominant livelihood assets of the sample villages. The results indicated that (1) the current sustainable livelihood levels of traditional villages in Shanxi Province exhibit spatial differentiation and imbalance. (2) The analysis confirms significant synergy between cultural inheritance, social service capacity, and economic feasibility, suggesting that appropriate protection and enhancement of local culture positively correlates with sustainable economic and social development in the villages. (3) Utilizing the SOM clustering model, six distinct types of sustainable livelihood strategies for traditional villages in Shanxi Province were successfully identified. Furthermore, a county-scale “multi-livelihood zoning” strategy has been proposed. The findings of this research can serve as a valuable reference for strategic planning and the implementation of rural revitalization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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33 pages, 13949 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reconstruction of Rural Cultural Space and Planning Base on the Perspective of “Social-Spatial” Theory: A Case Study in Zhuma Township, Zhejiang Province

by Senyu Lou, Yile Chen, Jingzhao Feng and Lei Zhang

Buildings 2025, 15(5), 671; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050671 - 21 Feb 2025

Viewed by 670

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the perspective of the “socio-spatial” relationship, to construct a theoretical analysis framework for the reconstruction of rural cultural space, and to explore effective strategies for the reconstruction of cultural space in the context of rural revitalization. Taking Zhuma Town as a case study, this study applies qualitative research methods, combining inductive synthesis, interpretive analysis, and literature review to analyze in depth the phenomenon of the revival of its camellia culture and the reconstruction of cultural space. It is found that the transformation of vernacular culture is the fundamental motive for the reconstruction of rural cultural space, which is embodied in Zhuma Town, as the camellia culture has gone through different stages of development, which promotes the transformation of cultural space from traditional to modern, and from single-function to composite function. On this basis, the design strategies of “landscape inheritance and functional regeneration”, “connotation remodeling and cultural value-added”, and “role transformation and coordination and cooperation” are proposed. The research results provide theoretical references and practical guidance for the reconstruction of contemporary rural cultural space, help promote the construction of high-quality rural habitat, enrich the knowledge system of rural cultural space research in interdisciplinary background, and are of great significance in awakening the cultural self-consciousness of the vernacular society and promoting the reconstruction of rural cultural values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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32 pages, 15826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Chinese Traditional Architectural Culture and Inheritance Strategy: A Case Study of the Goulou Cluster of Yue Dialects in Guangxi

by Yuan Kuang, Feifei Zheng, Chengzhi Lin and Yue Hu

Buildings 2025, 15(3), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030489 - 4 Feb 2025

Viewed by 1083

Abstract

Traditional Chinese villages and architectural cultural resources are abundant. Against the backdrop of rapid development in contemporary socioeconomic and urbanization processes, rural construction is facing multiple challenges such as imbalanced urban–rural development, gradually fading cultural traditions, and disharmonious living environments. The cultural elements of rural architecture urgently need more systematic and effective protection, integration, and reuse. Therefore, the precise extraction of traditional architectural features and their translation applications in modern contexts are gradually becoming key issues in current research and practice fields. This study takes traditional architecture of the Goulou Cluster of Yue Dialects in Guangxi, China, as an example. Through field investigations and mathematical and GIS spatial analysis, architectural samples were identified and extracted typologically, and a database of traditional architecture was constructed, delineating architectural cultural zones and summarizing type characteristics to create a genealogy map. Based on the results of the architectural genealogy study, modern translation pathways for traditional architecture were proposed through spatial modeling, technical analysis, and iterative optimization. Modern translation experiments were conducted on selected typical villages and their traditional buildings, exploring the application model system of traditional architecture in modern contexts. This study not only deepens the scientific understanding of the genealogy zoning characteristics of traditional architecture in the Goulou Cluster of Yue Dialects in Guangxi but also provides a reference for the modern translation and optimization path of traditional architecture, providing important theoretical basis and application guidance for promoting the inheritance and innovation of rural culture, and realizing the protection and updating of rural architectural style. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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Review

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28 pages, 1973 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Theoretical Design Framework of Contemporary Vernacular Architecture Based on a Scoping Review of the Best Practices Worldwide

by Nan Yang, Bing Chen and Junjie Xi

Buildings 2024, 14(11), 3525; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14113525 - 4 Nov 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2679

Abstract

This paper reviews the development of vernacular architecture design and practices worldwide and then focuses on Chinese rural development. It explores the evolution of vernacular architecture and related concepts from a longitudinal perspective, and indicates the dynamic adaptability of vernacular architecture. A scoping review based on archival materials and secondary source literature of the last 10 years is conducted. As a result, 41 design factors have been collected. With a cross-comparative study with related publications, five intangible design factors and ten key tangible design factors are discussed to build a theoretical design framework, which finally provides a foundation for related design practices and further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewal Design and Challenge of Urban and Rural Livable Environments in the Age of Population Shrinkage)

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