The Design Strategy

Abstract

Global population growth and the rapid urbanization of our cities is progressively resulting in the loss of cultural and historical districts - areas that were once the heart and soul of the city. Xi 'an is a city with the richest culture in China, although excessive government development has resulted in the loss of public amenity and community space within its historical districts. Maintaining the balance between old and new within these districts is increasingly important as the city continues to grow.

This design research project zooms into the historical district of Huifang as the research site and explores the theories of urban organic renewal, symbiosis, and urban acupuncture to establish a new cognition of the historical district. The concept develops a correlation between Historical districts and human physiological structure, referring to viscera doctrine, meridian theory and acupoints. Using the existing social network and spatial texture as its foundations, interventions are carried out across three different scales, with varying ‘treatment’ strategies applied to guide the future development and preservation of the historic district.

As landscape architects we have the ability to influence the conservation and renewal of highdensity historic districts and their associated public space. By engaging with the community and designing these spaces we can maintain the cultural and economic development of the historic district and simultaneously improve the urban environment and heal the urban landscape.