Analysis of Tibetan Cities and Towns in Sichuan——A Case Study of Traditional Tibetan Settlements in Gengqing Town, Dege County

Tibetan area is a region consisting of different nationalities and cultures,it has special settlement forms.Dege is a historic and cultural center of Kangba area,local architecture has profound cultural background,it is an important representative of traditional Tibetan buildings in Sichuan.This paper explored the forms of Tibetan forms and architectural spaces,summarized architectural features of Tibetan folk dwellings in Sichuan,and studied formation and evolution of traditional settlements in Gengqing Town in an all-around way.

Visual perception on the architectural elements of the built heritage of a historic temple town： A case study of Kumbakonam, India

This paper aims to investigate the changes in the virtual perception on the built heritage at the traditional core setttement of Kumbakonam Town at Tamitnadu and to analyze their implica- tions. Specifically, the major objectives of the study are （1） to identify the architectural elements that manifest the built heritage of Kumbakonam Town and （2） to assess the contMbutions of these elements to the changes in the visuat perception of the town. To achieve these objectives, this study adopts an empirical model that analyzes the architectural elements of the buildings in the study area. Direct observations and documentations of 373 buildings are collected to analyze those etements that contribute to the changes in the visual perception on the built heritage of Kumbakonam Town. An ordinary regression model is used to examine the characteristics of the built heritage across the chariot processional route of the town. Several architectural elements, including pitasters, horizontal cornices, arched windows, and ornamental parapets, improve the image of the town. These empirical findings support the policy framework that enhances the visual perception of Kumbakonam Town.

The right to entrepreneurial expression over heritage signifcance:the micropolitics of an adapted cafe in a historic Chinese town

This study draws on Henri Lefebvre’s(The production of space,1992,translated by D.Nicholson-Smith)concept of the spatial triad to examine the micropolitics of the production of urban and social space in a cafe in a historic tourist town in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai.Such a spatial and social examination of the historic town of Tangjiawan’s Wangchuan Cafe is conducted in the context of a growing consumer society and experience economy in China.Spe‑cifcally,we found that the cafe proprietor has performed a role that is commonly associated with ofcial planners and technocrats in creating a‘cofee art living space’in a process that Lefebvre describes as a‘representation of space,’and that‘spatial practices’serve to shape the space away from the heritage signifcance of the town and towards entre‑preneurially aligned ideals.Such resultant consumerist spaces are coconstructed with and negotiated by visitors and consumers.In conducting such an examination,we highlight and critique the ways in which dominant discourses operate in a microsite,such as that of a cafe,that has become a key cultural tourism attraction of the refurbished historic town,the means by which such discourses and visions result in real-world transformations and the ways in which visitors and tourists interpret and negotiate such a microsite.

Exploring the spatial pattern of historic Chinese towns and cities:A syntactical approach

This study explores the spatial pattern of Historic Chinese Towns and Cities(HCTC)by using a syntactic approach.The HCTC is an important element of the built environment and exhibits a variety of unique spatial characteristics.Although previous research has been focused on qualitative analysis,a quantitative approach to exploring this issue is scarce,leading to insufficient understanding of the spatial characteristics of HCTC.This study presents a quantitative approach to analyzing the spatial pattern of HCTC by utilizing the space syntax method.Four well-preserved historic towns were selected as case studies,each representing a typical spatial type of historic town in China.A series of mathematical measures from space syntax were used to explore the spatial characteristics of HCTC,facilitating expanded interpretation of traditional Chinese ideologies.Results contribute to a more critical understanding of the spatial pattern of HCTC.

Assessing the accessibility to fire hazards in preserving historical towns: Case studies in suburban Shanghai, China

Protecting large-scale heritage settlements from being damaged by fires has become increasingly crucial in developing areas that lack adequate legislation, emergency planning, and particularly efficient techniques. This study provides a systematic emergency assessment methodology for evaluating the accessibility of specific fire-fighting techniques to mitigate fire hazards in historical towns and examines how the integration of municipal and local fire services works. Specifically, this paper examines the accessibility of fire trucks, local fire services and the overall protection capacity. There are quantitative calculations of the obstruction degrees on main streets, the feasible moving distances of fire-fighting vehicles and firefighters at a given time, and the fire protection coverage and intensity in each town. Using these methods, this paper systematically assesses the fire resistance of three historical towns, Chuansha, Gaoqiao and Fengjing, as case studies. In contrast to previous studies focusing on the vulnerability of buildings in large historical settlements, this assessment method combines an examination of street networks and various emergency response techniques and is particularly applicable to developing areas.

The Modernization of Small Town and the Continuation of Historical Context

In the process of criticizing complete westernization,the traditional culture and national culture have gained theirdeserved positions.However.it is still under discussion whether or not all the traditional culture should be encouragedand whether the enhancement of national culture means the advocation of traditional culture or not.It is generally heldthat feudalism dominates the former while the latter is dominated by socialism.In the course of strengthening spiritualcivilization the encouragement of the national culture will not be simply achieved by restoring fragments of ancientways,let alone the issues of rejecting the dross and assimilating the weeding through the old to bring forth the new inthe field of carrying forward the traditional culture.The author points out,through profound study in planning,modernization is not westernization,historical context is not simply the reappearance of the past and continuation isnot carrying on as before.