Search Results (186)

Industrial building renovation is a sustainable strategy to preserve urban heritage while meeting modern needs. However, how interior material scenes affect users’ emotions, thermal perception, and functional preferences remains underexplored in adaptive reuse contexts. This study used virtual reality (VR) to examine four common material scenes—wood, concrete, red brick, and white-painted surfaces—within industrial renovation settings. A total of 159 participants experienced four Lumion-rendered VR environments and rated them on thermal perception (visual warmth, thermal sensation, comfort), emotional response (arousal, pleasure, restoration), and functional preference. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Wood and red brick scenes were associated with warm visuals; wood scenes received the highest ratings for thermal comfort and pleasure, white-painted scenes for restoration and arousal, and concrete scenes, the lowest scores overall. Functional preferences varied by space: white-painted and concrete scenes were most preferred in study/work settings, wood in social spaces, wood and red brick in rest areas, and concrete in exhibition spaces. By isolating material variables in VR, this study offers a novel empirical approach and practical guidance for material selection in adaptive reuse to enhance user comfort, emotional well-being, and spatial functionality in industrial heritage renovations. Full article

Small towns in mountainous regions face significant challenges in formulating effective landscape zoning strategies due to pronounced landscape fragmentation, which is driven by both the dominance of large-scale forest resources and the lack of coordination between administrative planning departments. To tackle this problem, this study focused on Yuqian, a quintessential small mountainous town in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The town’s layout was divided into a grid network measuring 70 m × 70 m. A two-step cluster process was employed using ArcGIS and SPSS software to analyze five landscape variables: altitude, slope, land use, heritage density, and visual visibility. Further, eCognition software’s semi-automated segmentation technique, complemented by manual adjustments, helped delineate landscape character types and areas. The overlay analysis integrated these areas with administrative village units, identifying four landscape character types across 35 character areas, which were recategorized into four planning and management zones: urban comprehensive service areas, agricultural and cultural tourism development areas, industrial development growth areas, and mountain forest ecological conservation areas. This result optimizes the current zoning types. These zones closely match governmental sustainable development zoning requirements. Based on these findings, we propose integrated landscape management and conservation strategies, including the cautious expansion of urban areas, leveraging agricultural and cultural tourism, ensuring industrial activities do not impact the natural and village environment adversely, and prioritizing ecological conservation in sensitive areas. This approach integrates spatial and administrative dimensions to enhance landscape connectivity and resource sustainability, providing key guidance for small town development in mountainous regions with unique environmental and cultural contexts. Full article

As the global urbanization process accelerates, rural settlements in China are facing the challenges of rural hollowing and widening urban–rural disparities. The establishment of the national scenic area system has made scenic settlements a primary direction for tourism development. However, industrial transformation has led to significant restructuring of the human–land relationship and the spatial functions of these settlements, resulting in issues such as over-tourism, ecological degradation, and cultural loss. This paper focuses on the Mosuo settlements around Lugu Lake, selecting nine villages, including Gesha Village, Wuzhiluo Village, and Daluoshui Village, to explore the formation and expression of Mosuo spatial concepts. Through spatial measurement, area statistics, and the analysis of development paths, the core of the research is to propose that “there is consistency between conceptual order and spatial form,” revealing the multi-dimensional evolutionary mechanism of Mosuo settlement spatial morphology under the intertwining of traditional concepts, market logic, and institutional policies, providing a replicable Chinese reference for global cultural heritage rural areas. Full article

Masonry industrial buildings, common in the 19th and 20th centuries, represent a significant architectural typology. These structures are crucial to the study of industrial archeology, which focuses on preserving and revitalizing historical industrial heritage. Often left neglected and deteriorating, they hold great potential for adaptive reuse, transforming into vibrant cultural, commercial, or residential spaces through well-planned restoration and consolidation efforts. This paper explores a case study of such industrial architecture: a decommissioned factory near Naples. The complex consists of multiple structures with vertical supports made of yellow tuff stone and roofs framed by wooden trusses. To improve the building’s seismic resilience, a comprehensive analysis was conducted, encompassing its historical, geometric, and structural characteristics. Using advanced computer software, the factory was modelled with a macro-element approach, allowing for a detailed assessment of its seismic vulnerability. This approach facilitated both a global analysis of the building’s overall behaviour and the identification of potential local collapse mechanisms. Non-linear analyses revealed a critical lack of seismic safety, particularly in the Y direction, with significant out-of-plane collapse risk due to weak connections among walls. Based on these findings, a restoration and consolidation plan was developed to enhance the structural integrity of the building and to ensure its long-term safety and functionality. This plan incorporated metal tie rods, masonry strengthening through injections, and roof reconstruction. The proposed interventions not only address immediate seismic risks but also contribute to the broader goal of preserving this industrial architectural heritage. This study introduces a novel multidisciplinary methodology—integrating seismic analysis, traditional retrofit techniques, and sustainable reuse—specifically tailored to the rarely addressed typology of masonry industrial structures. By transforming the factory into a functional urban space, the project presents a replicable model for preserving industrial heritage within contemporary cityscapes. Full article

Urban expansion in coastal areas involves infrastructure development, industrial growth, and mining activities. These coastal environments face various environmental and geological hazards that require geo-engineers to devise solutions. An integrated geophysical approach aims to address such complex challenges as sea level rise, sea water intrusion, shoreline erosion, landslides and previous anthropogenic activity in coastal settings. In this study, the proposed methodology involves the systematic application of geophysical methods (FDEM, 3D GPR, 3D ERT, seismic), starting with a broad-scale survey and then proceeding to a localized exploration, in order to identify lithostratigraphy, bedrock depth, sea water intrusion and detect anthropogenic buried features. The critical aspect is to leverage the unique strengths and limitations of each method within the coastal environment, so as to derive valuable insights for survey design (extension and orientation of measurements) and data interpretation. The coastal zone of Throrikos valley, Attica, Greece, serves as the test site of our geophysical investigation methodology. The planning of the geophysical survey included three phases: The application of frequency-domain electromagnetic (FDEM) and 3D ground penetrating radar (GPR) methods followed by a 3D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey and finally, using the seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW). The FDEM method confirmed the geomorphological study findings by revealing the paleo-coastline, superficial layers of coarse material deposits and sea water preferential flow due to the presence of anthropogenic buried features. Subsequently, the 3D GPR survey was able to offer greater detail in detecting the remains of an old marble pier inland and top layer relief of coarse material deposits. The 3D ERT measurements, deployed in a U-shaped grid, successfully identified the anthropogenic feature, mapped sea water intrusion, and revealed possible impermeable formation connected to the bedrock. ERT results cannot clearly discriminate between limestone or deposits, as sea water intrusion lowers resistivity values in both formations. Finally, SRT, in combination with MASW, clearly resolves this dilemma identifying the lithostratigraphy and bedrock top relief. The findings provide critical input for engineering decisions related to foundation planning, construction feasibility, and preservation of coastal infrastructure. The methodology supports risk-informed design and sustainable development in areas with both natural and cultural heritage sensitivity. The applied approach aims to provide a complete information package to the modern engineer when faced with specific challenges in coastal settings. Full article

Urban color represents the visual skin of a city, embodying regional culture, historical memory, and the contemporary spirit. However, while the existing studies focus on pedestrian-level facade colors, the “fifth facade” from a bird’s-eye view has been largely overlooked. Moreover, color distortions in traditional remote sensing imagery hinder precise analysis. This study targeted 56 Chinese coastal cities, decoding the spatiotemporal patterns of their fifth facade color (FFC). Through developing an innovative natural color optimization algorithm, the oversaturation and color bias of Sentinel-2 imageries were addressed. Several color indicators, including dominant colors, hue–saturation–value, color richness, and color harmony, were developed to analyze the spatial variations of FFC. Results revealed that FFC in Chinese coastal cities is dominated by gray, black, and brown, reflecting the commonality of cement jungles. Among them, northern warm grays exude solidity, as in Weifang, while southern cool grays convey modern elegance, as in Shenzhen. Blue PVC rooftops (e.g., Tianjin) and red-brick villages (e.g., Quanzhou) serve as symbols of industrial function and cultural heritage. Economically advanced cities (e.g., Shanghai) lead in color richness, linking vitality to visual diversity, while high-harmony cities (e.g., Lianyungang) foster livability through coordinated colors. The study also warns of color pollution risks. Cities like Qingdao exposed planning imbalances through color clashes. This research pioneers a systematic and large-scale decoding of urban fifth facade color from a remote sensing perspective, quantitatively revealing the dilemma of “identical cities” in modernization development. The findings inject color rationality into urban planning and create readable and warm city images. Full article

With rapid urbanization and modernization, the deterioration of historical areas has become an increasing concern. While heritage-led regeneration has proven effective, most studies have focused on urban contexts. Rural traditional villages, particularly in developing countries such as China, face even greater challenges and remain understudied. This study addresses this gap by developing a framework for heritage-led rural regeneration, grounded in community-building theory and highlighting heritage capacity as a key driver of village revitalization. Using a two-round systematic literature review, 64 papers from Web of Science and Scopus were analyzed to construct the framework. It consists of two levels: a preliminary framework identifying five key dimensions—public participation, media platform construction, adaptive reuse, heritage industry development, and landscape maintenance—and an integrated framework further detailing 13 sub-dimensions within these areas. Expert interviews were then conducted to validate the framework and examine its practical implementation challenges and future development directions. This framework integrates community-building theory with heritage-led regeneration, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for revitalizing traditional villages in China and beyond. Full article

This paper argues for a paradigm shift in heritage conservation—one that integrates affective connections, digital technologies, and circular economy principles to respond to the complex realities of urban transformation. Using the case of the Dennys Lascelles Wool Store in Geelong, this position paper contends that current preservation models, rooted in the Authoritative Heritage Discourse (AHD), are inadequate for addressing the nuanced value of industrial heritage, particularly when physical structures are altered or lost. The demolition of the Wool Store’s iconic bow truss structure exemplifies the tension between rapid urban development and heritage conservation. While the physical element has been removed, the site’s cultural and emotional resonance persists, underscoring the role of affect in shaping collective memory and place identity. This paper positions affect as a critical component of heritage discourse—one that expands beyond materiality to include sensory and emotional dimensions often overlooked by institutional frameworks. Digital heritage technologies offer powerful tools to document, represent, and interpret both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. In the case of the Wool Store, these tools not only preserve what has been lost but also invite public engagement and reinterpretation. However, preservation should not end with digital replication. A circular economy approach calls for the adaptive reuse of remaining structures, allowing historic sites to evolve functionally while retaining their significance. Full article

Looking into the development of modern cities, industrial heritage quarters within the urban context are important spatial resources for urban development. With the increasing trend toward incorporating quantitative research in urban studies in recent years, this study aims to develop mixed method research named Contextual Sensitivity Analysis (CSA) to study how the urban context of industrial heritage quarters impacts the variation in heritage values after regeneration. The application of CSA proceeds as follows: first, value variations following urban regeneration are established as the analysis targets; then, the impact of adaptive reuse strategies on the context is quantified as analysis indicators. A mathematical model is employed to explore how these indicators influence changes in values. This study takes Shanghai as a pilot case study and selected 14 samples that accord with the characteristics of urban industrial heritage quarters (UIHQ) for data collection and analysis. The findings of the analysis will be displayed as regression curves, demonstrating that the degree of correlation and the impact trend between specific context indicators and heritage values vary significantly. By identifying and comparatively analysing indicators with stronger correlations, the study reveals which contextual factors are more effective and efficient in influencing particular heritage values under certain conditions. These results confirm the feasibility and usefulness of CSA as a method for uncovering the relationship between surface-level outcomes and underlying contextual causes in urban industrial heritage quarters. In conclusion, this study is expected to provide a reference when considering how the resource input should sensitively focus on different indicators to achieve optimal performance in adjusting the value of heritage sites. The potential of this study also lies in the fact that, if the CSA method proves effective, the value targets and contextual indicators can be further expanded and applied in broader future research. Full article

Under the synergy of urban heritage conservation and regional cultural continuity, this study explores the spatial features of “mausoleum–city symbiosis” landscapes in Huangling County’s gully regions. Focusing on Fangzhou Ancient City, we address historical spatial degradation caused by excessive industrialization and disordered urban expansion. A methodological framework is proposed, combining low-altitude UAV-derived high-density point cloud data with RandLA-Net for semi-automatic semantic segmentation of buildings, vegetation, and roads by integrating multispectral and geometric attributes. Key findings reveal: (1) Modern buildings’ abnormal elevation in steep slopes disrupts the plateau–city visual corridor; (2) Statistical analysis shows significant morphological disparities between historical and modern streets; (3) Modern structures exceed traditional height limits, while divergent roof slopes aggravate aesthetic fragmentation. This multi-level spatial analysis offers a paradigm for quantifying historical urban spaces and validates deep learning’s feasibility in heritage spatial analytics, providing insights for balancing conservation and development in ecologically fragile areas. Full article

The north of Portugal and Porto, a city recognised as a World Heritage Site, stand out for their rich historical trajectory, fostering a continuous increase in tourists over the past decade. This distinction has played a crucial role in acknowledging cultural and landscape heritage while promoting a heightened flow of visitors to the region. Portuguese gastronomy is a key factor in the growth of this tourism industry. It is a living tradition passed down through generations, deeply rooted in regional history and practices, where the residents play a vital role as custodians of these customs and traditions. The primary aim of this article is to analyse residents’ perceptions from the North of Portugal regarding the recognition of gastronomy as a cultural heritage and its role as a tool for tourism development. To achieve this aim, structured questionnaires were distributed to residents using an approach in popular urban tourism areas of Porto between May and October 2022, resulting in 262 valid responses. The findings reveal that participants consider it essential to preserve traditional dishes and ensure their transmission across generations. Regarding tourism, most respondents concur that it positively contributes to the preservation of traditional gastronomy, valuing it as an integral part of cultural heritage. Full article

High-density cities have obvious characteristics of compact urban spatial form and intensive land use in terms of spatial environment, and have always been a topic of academic focus. As a typical coastal historical district, the Macau Peninsula pier district (mainly the Macau Inner Harbour) has a high building density and a low average street width, forming a vertical coastline development model that directly converses with the ocean. This area is adjacent to Macau’s World Heritage Site and directly related to the Marine trade functions. The distribution pattern of cultural heritage linked by the ocean has strengthened Macau’s unique positioning as a node city on the Maritime Silk Road. This text is based on the theory of urban development, integrates spatial syntax and POI analysis techniques, and combines the theories of waterfront regeneration, high-density urban form and post-industrial urbanism to integrate and deepen the theoretical framework, and conduct a systematic study on the urban spatial characteristics of the coastal area of the Macau Peninsula. This study found that (1) Catering and shopping facilities present a dual agglomeration mechanism of “tourism-driven + commercial core”, with Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro as the main axis and radiating to the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Praça de Ponte e Horta, respectively. Historical blocks and tourist hotspots clearly guide the spatial center of gravity. (2) Residential and life service facilities are highly coupled, reflecting the spatial logic of “work-residence integration-service coordination”. The distribution of life service facilities basically overlaps with the high-density residential area, forming an obvious “living circle + community unit” structure with clear spatial boundaries. (3) Commercial and transportation facilities form a “functional axis belt” organizational structure along the main road, with the Rua das Lorchas—Rua do Almirante Sérgio axis as the skeleton, constructing a “functional transmission chain”. (4) The spatial system of the Macau Peninsula pier district has transformed from a single center to a multi-node, network-linked structure. Its internal spatial differentiation is not only constrained by traditional land use functions but is also driven by complex factors such as tourism economy, residential migration, historical protection, and infrastructure accessibility. (5) Through the analysis of space syntax, it is found that the core integration of the Macau Peninsula pier district is concentrated near Pier 16 and the northern area. The two main roads have good accessibility for motor vehicle travel, and the northern area of the Macau Peninsula pier district has good accessibility for long and short-distance walking. Full article

As a pivotal industrial hub in southwestern China, Kunming City has accumulated abundant industrial heritage resources. Investigating the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of industrial heritage across different districts in Kunming is critical for understanding its historical evolution and current status, and for providing scientific guidance for conservation and sustainable development. From a sustainability perspective, this study selected 80 industrial heritage sites in Kunming as research subjects. Utilizing ArcGIS spatial analysis techniques combined with kernel density estimation, standard deviational ellipse, and Geographical Detector analysis, we systematically visualized the spatial distribution patterns and driving factors. Key findings include that (1) industrial heritage exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, concentrating primarily in the city center and surrounding areas, forming high-density clusters in Wuhua District, Panlong District, and Haikou Subdistrict, while showing marked disparities among regions; (2) distinct spatial distribution patterns emerge across heritage types—manufacturing heritage clusters in central urban zones, whereas mining heritage disperses in peripheral mountainous areas; and (3) historical preservation policies are identified as the dominant factor shaping the current distribution, whereas terrain and natural environmental impacts remain secondary. These findings offer actionable insights for optimizing the conservation and adaptive reuse of Kunming’s industrial heritage. Full article

Industrial heritage has historical and cultural value and reuse potential. Urban industrialization has a significant social influence on place identity and emotional identity. Shougang Science Fiction Industrial Park (hereinafter referred to as “Shougang Park”) serves as one of the first pilot projects for the transformation of old industrial areas in China. This study examines Shougang Park through a spatial narrative lens, analyzing its industrial heritage via the “author-text-reader” framework. Research reveals the specific implications of the three dimensions and the connections behind them. The findings offer practical strategies for experiential tourism design and adaptive reuse planning, while establishing theoretical models applicable to global post-industrial heritage revitalization. Full article

Currently, within the scope of research on the protection and adaptive reuse of industrial heritage, there is a relative paucity of quantitative studies focusing on pedestrian vitality at the micro-street level. Qingdao Textile Valley, a quintessential example of a creative industrial park, necessitates an in-depth examination of how street vitality influences operational efficacy. This study employs AnyLogic simulation software and spatial syntax Depthmap software, complemented by field survey data, to conduct a comprehensive simulation analysis of pedestrian density and spatial accessibility along the park’s core-periphery roadways. Based on the issues identified through this analysis, several improvement strategies are proposed, particularly increasing the density of the pedestrian network and improving network connectivity. The effectiveness of these strategies was validated through simulation. The research findings indicate that the optimized plan led to an increase in pedestrian traffic on the peripheral streets of the park, mitigated congestion on core roads, and substantially enhanced the overall vitality of the street network. This research offers valuable methodological references and practical insights for developing creative industrial parks and the adaptive reuse of industrial heritage in Qingdao and other regions. Full article