Urban Heritage Conservation and Modern Urban Development from the Perspective of the Historic Urban Landscape Approach: A Case Study of Suzhou

Abstract

Suzhou is one of China’s model cities due to its economic development in recent decades. Although the city deserves recognition for its efforts in urban heritage conservation, the current preservation strategy only targets the ancient city and neglects the separation of the entire urban landscape. This has become a huge hidden problem in the process of Suzhou’s sustainable development. This study, based on this background, explores the development process of Suzhou and the problems in the current urban planning, and then proposes suggestions for optimization. The historic urban landscape approach provides a solution to this problem by analyzing the urban form and urban landscape features of Suzhou in three important historical periods: pre-1949, 1949–1978, and post-1978. This study discusses the development process of Suzhou and the problems in the current urban planning, and makes the following contributions: (1) The dichotomy between modernity and tradition in the urban landscape of Suzhou is shown from a morphological perspective, revealing that this dichotomy is based on rapid urbanization and the one-sided pursuit of economic development, (2) Revisits the role of Suzhou traditional gardens in order to better integrate them as structural elements in urban planning, (3) Proposes the intangible value of urban heritage and combined with the historic urban landscape of looking beyond the notion of the “historic center” or “ensemble” to help all Suzhou residents form a more coherent place attachment and local identity.

Urban Landscape Perception Research Based on the ERP Method: A Case Study of Jingdezhen, China

“…Pintossi et al [26] proposed new adaptation strategies for the longstanding urban cultural heritage of Amsterdam. Jiang et al [5] took Suzhou, China, as a case study with which to explore the processes of urban heritage conservation and modern urban development, introducing the concept of historic urban landscapes; however, as Sennett [27] warned, superficially incorporating historical elements into cities can create a sense of "patchiness", undermining the authenticity and integrity of urban spaces. Such conditions may lead to a disjunction between material spaces and the essence of urban culture.…”

“…As carriers of a city's image, urban landscapes not only beautify spaces and enhance the quality of life but also promote the sustainable development of culture and history [2][3][4]; however, due to the rapid expansion of urban development, the natural and cultural landscapes of some cities have been damaged. Certain landscape designs tend to be utilitarian and stereotypical, potentially conveying misleading information and negatively impacting observers, and may even be detrimental to urban planning and management [5,6], underscoring the importance of research in landscape perception.…”

Integrating historic preservation into a wider framework of urban development through comprehensive planning: an evaluation of local comprehensive plans in U.S. state capitals

“…In addition, population density and change reflect a city's development status and changing trends. Cities experiencing rapid urbanization may need to address the higher demand for historic preservation [30,31]. Both the age of the city and its diverse heritage are correlated with the richness of heritage resources; thus, places with more resources need to pay more attention to heritage protection [32,33].…”

Urban Heritage Facility Management: A Conceptual Framework for the Provision of Urban-Scale Support Services in Norwegian World Heritage Sites

“…In contrast, the UHFM framework expands on this philosophy by integrating it into the management of urban-scale facilities. WH sites, especially those with urban characteristics, require an advanced approach that goes beyond conventional heritage conservation [25,26], as they preserve exceptional cultural heritage values and attributes. UHFM, as an integration of the HUL approach and Urban FM, provides the opportunity to support the preservation of OUV through the excellent delivery of urban heritage-friendly support services.…”