Analysis of Urban Morphology in Core Towns＇ Neighborhoods of Mexico： Santa Barbara＇s Neighborhood as a Case Study

Cities＇ urban morphology is the result of historic, cultural, political and social processes. The historical cores in Mexican cities have high cultural diversity, which also intermingle pre-Hispanic cultures with colonial forms, as well with modernity and post-modernity irruption. The case study is Santa Barbara＇s neighborhood in Toluca City, which was founded in 1524, and the case study was the first neighborhood in Toluca＇s historical core. At present time, this neighborhood is considered as one of the most dangerous places in the city＇s historical core, therefore, it has been abandoned. This paper will display the changes in urban morphology of the neighborhood through the years from 1877 to 2010. For site evaluation, the methodologies of Ashihara （1982） and Lynch＇s （1961） were used in order to analyze positive and negative spaces, as well as main street visual features, street and avenue directions, street circulation and street circulation path configuration. The results show that the focal nodes are a key factor for economic and social reactivation, with which, through urban activation of vacant lots and the traditional use of the streets as public space, is possible to generate centripetal development to restructure the neighborhood.     

Improving Conviviality in Public Places： The Case of Naples, Italy

Under the umbrella concept of conviviality in public spaces, a research project on the rehabilitation of urban areas for commercial and retail uses---as engine of a complex process of production of places for social and cultural mixit6--has been defined. The aim of this research has been to produce useful tools for coping with the abandonment of public spaces in former commercial urban areas, without generating anonymous and globalized commercial districts. Through involving local stakeholders in a participatory process, the first phase of the research here presented needs to demonstrate the possible effectiveness of a pilot action plan in dealing with both isolation and gentrification processes of historical centres. The main hypothesis is that traditional retailers should be considered an essential element to ensure effective public use of urban public spaces. The research methodology is based on a qualitative approach. Focussing on the process of impoverishment within local commercial districts, the research group started working with local stakeholders in order to identify priorities and criticisms for enhancing a regeneration process. The case study to be carried out in Naples is the historical market place of Piazza Mercato in the Citth Bassa of Naples （Italy）.     

Impact of “We Media” on Public Participation in Urban Planning:A Case Study on the Urban Design of Xuanwu Avenue in Nanjing

From a stakeholder perspective, this paper discusses the positive and negative impacts of “We Media” on public participation in urban planning based on a case study on the public event related to the Urban Design of Xuanwu Avenue in Nanjing. This research draws the following conclusions. Firstly,“We Media” helps to reduce the cost of the bottom-up feedback in the public participation process as it expands information dissemination approaches, and the comprehensiveness and objectiveness of the in...     

Conceptual Model for Collaborative Planning in Iran with Emphasis on the Role of Urban Planners： A Case Study of Anzali＇s Development Strategy

Nowadays, public participation is one of the most important factors to improve the feasibility, legitimacy and quality of urban plans. In Iran, due to lack of comprehensive understanding about the participation notion and its necessary socio-economic and political infrastructures, participatory decision-making has faced with some serious challenges in both processes of preparing and implementing. The present paper focuses on providing practical strategies for preparing collaborative urban plans in Iran＇s conditions. Also it seeks to answer this question： What is the role of planners to prepare a real collaborative plan？ It is assumed that a conceptual model for collaborative planning can be fitted with Iran＇s conditions by means of integrating the fundamental philosophic ideas of participatory planning such as theories of Paul Michel Foucault and Jürgen Habermas, given the fact that the present situation of collaborative planning in Iran needs a supportive theory which is compatible with power structures of Iranian urban planning system. In this regard, the Habermas＇ theory of “communicative action” and the Foucault＇s theory of “power structures” are reviewed by a comparative analysis methodology to present an integrated conceptual model for collaborative planning in Iran＇s condition. At the end, the CDS （City Development Strategy）---making process of Anzali City of Iran is analysed to examine this claim in the practice. The results yield that enabling urban planners to act as communication facilitators during planning can direct the collaborative planning in Iran from theory to a real practice by means of integrating the positive aspects of communication and power.     

Research on Match of the Planning for Public Service Facilities in Urban Residential Areas to the Living Circle Characteristics of Older People

China entered an aging society in 1999 based on the United Nations’ definition that an aging society is one where the population aged sixty and above accounts for more than 10 percent of the total population. Accordingly, community-based home care for older people has become a social trend and the main policy orientation of the urban elderly care service system. How to meet older people’s needs for living and caring services in urban residential areas is a major challenge for China to conduct ur...     

Transition of Implementation Pattern Under the Predicament of Urban Renewal:A Perspective of Spatial Governance

The recent prevalence of property-led urban renewal in Chinese cities has generated problems such as "nail households"~(1) and the loss of public welfare. This paper begins with the theoretical framework of spatial governance in urban renewal and then discusses the problems of property-led urban renewal. From a perspective of spatial governance, it proposes the framework, process, and policy design for the transition of the urban renewal model characterized by "government leadership and self-renewal of village collectives." By taking an urban village within a large city in south China as a case study, this paper compares the profit distribution among each party between the property-led urban renewal model and the village collectives’ self-renewal. It concludes with the significance of this new model for the establishment of a spatial governance system and highquality urban and rural development in China.     

Joining Paths and Dividing Paths： Juiz de Fora, Brazil

The aim of this paper is to present the urban history of Juiz de Fora, a city with some 500,000 inhabitants in southeastern Brazil, and discuss how strategic decisions about the planning and construction of roads and highways can determine ways of life in a city. While paths may integrate landholdings and territories, they may also segregate communities and environments, causing deep rifts in the fabric of urban and land areas. The growth of Juiz de Fora is particularly marked by the construction of paths. This article reviews the local urban history from the establishment of paths in the city, to an analysis of the major impact and benefits they have had, notably on the local economy and demographics, as well as on the conservation of the local environment： Issues that are frequently relegated to a secondary role in the cost-benefit analysis of the city＇s planning decisions. After analysis of the case study, the authors concluded that citizens should be included on the agenda of the city, from spectators to actors of daily urban life.     

Architectural Requirements for Improving Social Interactions in Subway Stations： An Evidence Based Design Approach

Environmental design is concerned with the function of people within an environment and their interactions. Subway stations spaces are important examples of public spaces that are in close connection with the social life of people. Also, the fact that the social interactions and relations between people and city environments are becoming indispensable for subway station space indicates that these spaces play an essential role in urban life. This paper addresses the result of a study conducted by the authors on the influential elements pivotal to the improvement of social interactions in subway stations. The theory of John Lang in Urban design with consideration of social interaction was considered in this study. The objective of the study was to identify the architectural requirements in improving social interaction between people and environment in subway station spaces according to an evidence based design approach. To do so, relevant literature in different disciplines, architecture, urban design, social sustainability and so on, were reviewed Next, the most important environmental factors which contribute to human behavior in public spaces were derived and analyzed. Data of the study were collected via questionnaires filled out by the users of Tehran＇s subway stations. The collected data were analyzed and the architectural elements/requirements for improving social interactions were classified. The results of the study indicate that in the case of architectural requirements, contribution to the improvement of social interactions, design considerations for physical and mental safety, accessibility and lighting are the most important factors.     

城市公共消防设施现状及对策

The building and the management of urban fire facilities, which are an impertant Integral part In city infrastructures, have direct relatlenshlp with the public security of the ceuntry and seclety. With the devofopmelat and roctificstien of economy in the new era, strongtheniug the building aud the mnagemeiat of urban public fire facllmes is a pressing tasking in a period el time that comes, it is Impertant in enhancing cues＇ defondlng capability against fire er other calamities, safeguarding the state property and peeple＇s life and property, and maintaining the political stability and social security,     

Narratives of Spatial Division： The Role of Social Memory in Shaping Urban Space in Belfast

The paper examines the role of shared spaces in divided cities in promoting future sustainable communities and spaces described as inclusive to all. It addresses the current challenges that prevent such inclusiveness and suggests future trends of its development to be of benefit to the wider city community. It explains how spaces in divided cities are carved up into perceived ownerships and territorialized areas, which increases tension on the shared space between territories; the control of which can often lead to inter-community disputes. The paper reports that common shared space in-between conflicting communities takes on increased importance since the nature of the conflict places emphasis on communities＇ confidence, politically and socially, while also highlighting the necessity for confidence in inclusion and feeling secure in the public domain. In order to achieve sustainable environments, strategies to promote shared spaces require further focus on the significance of everyday dynamics as essential aspects for future integration and conflict resolution.     

Community Public Space Planning Guided by Sustainable Development:A Case Study on Wei'an Nanli Residential Area of Tianjin City

The public space of community is not only significant to ensure the quality of residents’ daily life but also the important means to realize urban sustainability.It is necessary to bridge the gap between the physical and social development of city in order to build a harmonious and livable city.The sustainable development indicators are very useful tools.The design of the indicators involves the site investigation,and selection and modification of indicators.It can provide guidance to related plans by making scientific decision on the core target of the public space development of community.     

Power,Society,and Living Space: Evolution and Formation Mechanism of Urban Streets in China

Being one of the most important elements of urban public space, streets have contained rich social lives as well as the social and political connotations in Chinese cities with specific local characteristics, while most of them have been long neglected in the researches focusing on grand narratives and center-based perspectives. The paper retrospectively analyzes the evolution process of urban streets in China, dividing it into four critical periods. With the perspective of socio-spatial analysis, the unique formation mechanisms of Chinese urban streets are summarized in different contexts including power system, social domain, and living space, thus to provide references for the exploration of street development mode and revitalization mechanism facing the multiple challenges of globalization, modernity, as well as local social and cultural traditions.     

A Pluralistic and Participatory Community Governance Model for Urban China in the Era of Economic and Spatial Restructuring

As China’s socio-economic development is entering into a transitioning era, urban residents’ demands are becoming more diversified,complicated, and fragmented. Ought to address issues regarding community environmental renovation, infrastructure and facilities constructions,and efficient public service supplies, measures should be adopted to adjust the urban community governance model in China to face emergent challenges. Against this background, this paper argues that the "participating actors,""community management and organization framework,""related laws, regulations, and policies," and "resources allocation and management" are the four crucial dimensions in urban community governance. We then adopted these four underpinnings as the theoretical framework to unravel the complex dynamics of community governance in contemporary urban China. This paper argues that the current community governance system falls short in accommodating the growing demands of community development due to "ambiguity of participating actors,""excessive administrative intervention on community management,""insufficient legislation supports," and a "deficiency in financing management system." Therefore, this paper argues that through the pluralization of public participation,diversification of community organization modes, and the enhancement of participation accessibility, community governance performance in urban China could be drastically improved. Therefore, a pluralistic and participatory community governance model is proposed in this paper to provide additional policy implications for community governance in urban China.     

An Analysis of the Inherent Law on China''''s Urban Renewal

The urban renewal is, after all, part of the entire urbanproblem and its law' cannot depart from the ordinary law onurban development and construction. How'ever, preciseIy be-cause urban renewal is an aspect of the problcm, the situa-tion is of some individuaI characters and should be furtherstudied and discussed. The activities of urban reneW'al consti-tute a very complex system. Its most important laws and fac-tors are still a problem which has not been answered. Thispapcr will sum up the fOllowing n'e contcnts and anaI)sethem in a superficiaI w'ay. The aim is to offer a few' common-place remarks by way of introduction so that others ma)'come up u ith t-aIuable opinions.     

Social Aspects of Beijing''''s Old and Dilapidated Housing Renewal——Beijing''''s Old and Dilapidated Housing Renewal(Part Ⅵ)

Ⅰ.Introduction Since the start of the program in 1990,Beijing＇s Oldand Dilapidated Housing Renewal has received considera-ble attention from all areas of society-from government of-ficials and professionals as well as ordinary citizens.The re-newal program has not only exerted a major impact on theold city areas of Beijing like the demolition of the old CityWall and the Pai Lou(Memorial Archways),but has alsobeen a sensitive issue related to housing problems whichmay affect hundreds of thousands of residents both in theold city and in other parts of Beijing.Furthermore,the pres-ervation of architectural relics and the historic core of Beij-ing Old City is now receiving more and more attention.Asa result,research on Beijing＇s housing renewal program in-volves a broad range of issues covering city development,housing construction and Old City preservation. The work of our group has involved lookingcomprehensively at all aspects of residential area renewal inold city areas-the economic,social and enviro     

Research on New Urban Area Planning Based on TOD Mode:A Study on Binhu New District of Hefei City

As an urban development mode,the TOD (Transit-oriented Development) mode,targeted at energy-saving and based on the public transportation system,has positive significance for solving problems like disordered urban sprawl and traffic congestion in Chinese cities.This article takes Binhu New District of Hefei as an example to illustrate the practice of the TOD mode in the urban design of large and medium-sized cities.The paper analyzes the relationship between the new district,central urban area,and public transportation development,and puts forward that the TOD mode is suitable for Bihu New District.It states that the TOD mode can be realized through methods such as the building of a "double-rapid" comprehensive public transportation network,the setting up of decentralized-compact urban clusters and TOD communities,the mixevd land-use,as well as the scenery design with complete walking space.The paper also proposes that certain flexible methods can be adopted in order to promote the TOD mode,including making full use of bus transit when rail transit is lacked,setting up TOD communities surrounding the transport hubs,etc.     

Characteristics and Causes of the Spatial Evolution of Urban Villages:A Case Study of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone

Studies on the renovation and governance of urban villages have become the interest of human geography since the 1990s.However up to now,there is little literature focusing on the development patterns and dynamic mechanism of the spatial evolution of urban villages based on the theoretical system of urban spatial structure,and there are few scholars doing analyses on the relationship between urban villages and general urban areas in terms of spatial development.In this paper,Shenzhen,the most representative city of China in terms of urban village development,is taken as a case for exploring the characteristics and modes of the spatial evolution of urban villages.With census data of urban village construction in 1999 and 2004 in terms of built-up area,floor area,and construction intensity,the spatial and temporal evolution of the 91 administrative urban villages in the original Shenzhen Special Economic Zone have been analyzed in comparison with that of Shenzhen’s general urban areas.It is indicated that the spatial evolution of urban villages matches with the general rules of the spatial development of general urban areas in three aspects.First,land expansion is the most remarkable mode of spatial evolution in the early stage of development;second,in the period of rapid development,there is the obvious tendency of "distance-decay" in terms of construction intensity accompanied by some anomalous fluctuations at certain points;third,renewal and redevelopment are carried out gradually in the mature stage of development.However,because of historical and institutional restrictions,the spatial evolution of urban villages shows its unique characteristics in the aspects of original spatial distribution and spatial expansion mode in the period of rapid development,etc.The outcomes of this study would help not only enrich the theoretical study on the evolution mode of urban spatial structure,but also strengthen the administration over urban villages,in particular with the suggestions that the spatial evolution of urban villages as a type of urban space should not be the same as that of general urban areas and its unique characteristics should not be ignored;specific rules should be set up to guide the rational spatial evolution of urban villages according to the economic development of the city,as well as the housing demands of various kinds of residents.     

城市收缩与人口老龄化——基于中国138个县级市的实证

Urban shrinkage is a world-wide phenomenon characterized by population loss in a short period of time.During this process,the decrease of the younger generation will further accelerate the demographic aging process through lowering birth rates.Although many studies have qualitatively addressed that demographic aging could be both a result and cause of urban shrinkage,empirical studies to examine their interrelations are lacking.This paper aims to examine their interrelationships by proposing an integrated model which covers the paths,effects,and interrelationships between shrinking cities and demographic aging in economic,spatial,and social dimensions.Based on the data from 138 county-level cities in China,partial least-square method is used for structural equation modeling(PLS-SEM).The results show that two indirect influence paths exist between shrinking cities and the demographic aging process.First,urban shrinkage has an indirect interaction with the demographic aging process via social and economic factors(path:shrinking cities←→society←→economy←→aging process).Second,urban shrinkage is also indirectly interrelated with the demographic aging process in spatial factors(path:shrinking cities←→space←→aging process).To deal with the double challenges of urban shrinkage and demographic aging,planning policies should integrate with policies in socio-economic and spatial aspects.     

Informal Settlements： A Shape Grammar Approach

Informal urban development is seldomly covered in academic studies or professional architectural training. This article sets forth the first stage of a novel study that observes the informal city using the methodology of analysis of architecture called shape grammars. The idea is to recognize peculiarities in the occupation of the land and the volumetric features of the buildings. Rocinha favela, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is taken as a case study with the primary aim of extrapolating a set of rules for its morphological features so that these rules can be used to generate new shapes, whilst bearing in mind the issues of adaptation and transformation which are so characteristic of informal settlements. There is some expectation that this study may help improve the housing and public space in the favela and enable new housing programs to observe the way the buildings and different architectural elements combined, forming a new channel of interchange with the spatial organization of the favela.     

Historicity： Preservation or Revitalization Planning Tools？

The historic centres revitalization addresses the challenges related to the preservation of fundamental heritage values. At a time, when everyone looks with concern to our cities＇ future, it is important to reflect on the received heritage, seeking the most appropriate answers to the planning of the historic centres. These fabrics are reference places in the urban space, due to their role of memorial testimony and of generators of cultural and economic dynamics. However, often times, inherited urban fabrics are affected by the limitations of the heritage policies which, for being too general and based on theoretical and abstract frameworks, have difficulty incorporating the characteristics of each area and neglect the formulation of specific criteria and intervention methods. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative reading of the levels of urban renewal allowed by the planning tools. This study chooses two historic centers in Portugal： Oporto and Guimarfies historic centres （World Heritage Sites since 1996 and 2001, respectively, and were the last to get this classification in Portugal）. This reflection is a contribution to peer trends and raise the discussion on the role that the different heritage policies have to the revitalization of the historic centres.