In the heart of Xi’an, China, a historic neighborhood is undergoing a transformation that could redefine how we preserve cultural heritage and foster community attachment. The Sanxuejie Historical and Cultural Block, a labyrinth of ancient streets and traditional architecture, is the subject of groundbreaking research led by Jing Fan of Xi’an FanYi University. This study, published in the Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, delves into the intricate relationship between landscape character, place attachment, and sustainable urban development.
Rapid urbanization often leads to a homogenization of landscapes, where historic and cultural blocks fall victim to modernization. These areas, crucial repositories of urban memory and cultural heritage, are at risk of losing their unique character. Fan’s research aims to address this challenge by integrating psychological dimensions into landscape character assessment (LCA), a method that evaluates the natural, historical, and cultural attributes of a place.
Using a combination of GIS tools, landscape metrics, and structured questionnaires, Fan and her team assessed the Sanxuejie block. The results were revealing. The landscape is spatially cohesive yet diverse, with highly aggregated types. Residents showed a stronger sense of place identity, dependence, and attachment compared to tourists. Interestingly, women scored higher than men in terms of place attachment, and age demonstrated a U-shaped relationship with attachment, meaning both younger and older residents felt more connected.
“Our findings indicate that preserving the authentic character of historic blocks can significantly enhance residents’ emotional bonds,” Fan explained. “This has profound implications for urban planning and development, especially in cities like Xi’an, where cultural heritage is a significant draw for tourists and a source of pride for locals.”
The research also highlighted the importance of long-term residence in strengthening emotional bonds with a place. This insight could be particularly valuable for the energy sector, which often faces challenges in integrating new developments into historic urban landscapes. By understanding and preserving the unique character of these areas, energy companies can design more sustainable and community-friendly projects.
Fan’s comprehensive design plan for Sanxuejie integrates historic preservation, experiential engagement, and ecological sustainability. The plan is guided by principles of authenticity, integrity, human-centeredness, and sustainability. Key strategies include enhancing cultural spaces, improving infrastructure, optimizing green ecology, and balancing commercial activities.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. As cities around the world grapple with the challenges of rapid urbanization, the insights from Sanxuejie could provide a blueprint for sustainable management of historic and cultural blocks. By preserving the unique character of these areas and fostering a sense of place attachment, cities can create more livable, sustainable, and culturally rich environments.
For the energy sector, this research underscores the importance of community engagement and cultural sensitivity in urban development. As energy companies increasingly focus on sustainability and community impact, the lessons from Sanxuejie could inform more holistic and inclusive approaches to urban energy projects.
In the Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering, the study is titled “Landscape character assessment of urban historical and cultural blocks and landscape design for place attachment enhancement – a case study of Sanxuejie Historical and Cultural Block in Xi’an, China.” The research offers both theoretical and practical insights, paving the way for future developments in the field of urban landscape design and cultural heritage preservation. As cities continue to evolve, the need for such integrated and community-focused approaches will only grow, making Fan’s work a timely and valuable contribution to the field.