Abstract
Suzhou’s canal, a hallmark of its heritage, serves as a focal point for exploring the city’s spatial evolution. This study examines cultural heritage sites along the canal, including bridges, ancient architecture, street blocks, and ancient towns, selected for their intrinsic connection to Suzhou’s waterways. Through a lens of spatial morphology and typology, it analyzes how these sites reflect the city’s socio-cultural influences across dynasties. Beginning with an overview of Suzhou’s heritage over dynasties, the study contextualizes the spatial genes that underpin the city’s distinctive architectural typology. Drawing from principles of spatial morphology and typology, the research seeks to unravel the spatial logic and socio-cultural influences that have shaped Suzhou’s built environment over centuries. The research traces the lineage of spatial genes while identifying patterns of transformation influenced by factors such as socio-economic shifts, urbanization, and globalization. Through a comparative analysis of spatial indexes, the research elucidates how inherited spatial genes have adapted to accommodate changing societal needs and urban contexts from the Sui Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty and modern times. Furthermore, the study examines the implications of these transformations on urban morphology, spatial perception, and cultural identity in Suzhou. By unraveling the spatial genes embedded within the city’s built environment throughout its history, this study sheds light on the mechanisms of spatial inheritance and transformation that continue to shape Suzhou’s urban fabric in the present day. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between tradition and modernity in Suzhou’s architecture across different historical epochs.
Presenters
Shengdan YangStudent, Ph.D., Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Yan Huang
Professor, Environmental Design, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2024 Special Focus—-Art for Sustenance
KEYWORDS
Suzhou Canal, Cultural Heritage, Spatial Gene, Inheritance, Transformation
