An evaluation approach to spatial identity in historic urban areas from a humanistic perspective

Abstract

Urban spatial identity, as the core content of a distinctive urban image and the representation of urban competitiveness and attraction, is critical to cities in the rapid development process. In view of maintaining and strengthening the spatial identity in a historic urban area, which is the key issue of urban construction in China at present, based on the literature review of Chinese urban spatial identity studies, three research paradigms are summarized: landscape, culture, and economy. Although the traditional evaluation method of spatial identity in historic urban areas has focused on the scarcity of characteristic resources, the relationship between characteristic resources and human beings has been ignored. Therefore, based on the declaration of the fundamental mechanism of urban spatial identity in historic urban areas, a new evaluation method was proposed considering four aspects, including object, subject, content, and indicators. The results indicated that the framework of evaluation and design, which is based on the assessment of the relationship between characteristic resources and human beings, is an effective strategy to improve the scientific evaluation of urban spatial identity. Our study has substantial implications for urban planners and managers in solving the urban identity crisis issue in historic urban areas.

Keywords

• Humanism
• Historic urban area
• Urban spatial identity
• Environmental behavior
• Public perception