PhD Researcher

Ms Suxin Zhang (Jasmine)

ORCID iD

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9117-4967

PhD Title

Placemaking and Revival in Heritage Conservation Areas Located in the Centre of the City in China

Keywords

Urbanisation, Placemaking, Heritage Protection, Urban Design, Chinese Metropolises.

Research Abstract

In recent decades, to maximise economic benefits and meet the needs of urban development, most existing heritage conservation areas and their neighbourhoods located in the centre of Chinese cities have been subjected to overly frequent commercial activities or massive urban regeneration projects, destroying their heritage values and urban context to some extent. This study uses theories and approaches of placemaking to explore specific methods and strategies of heritage protection in heritage conservation areas, which not only conserve features and heritage values of these areas to realise their revitalization and create more economic benefits, but also retain urban context and authentic collective memory and meet the needs of socio-economic development together with the neighbourhoods. Consequently, the study is to set up the dynamic, feasible and comprehensive framework to alleviate the conflicts between heritage protection and urban development in China.

Research Methodology

Based on the heritage conservation area as the material carrier of the urban context and history, this study adopts obtrusive and unobtrusive methods to explore the background and foreground of urban redevelopment project of heritage conservation areas, aiming at understanding placemaking in different redevelopment models of Chinese heritage conservation areas.

Results/Outcomes

1. Translation of placemaking into the Chinese heritage conservation areas;

2. Interpretation of urban regeneration models of Chinese heritage conservation areas; 

3. Creation of a flexible and feasible mechanism to balance protection and development of Chinese metropolitan heritage conservation areas.

Key Publications

• ZHANG, S., & LU, Z. (2013). Application of ArcGIS about Place-making in the Taiping Historical Block. Journal of Huazhong Architecture, 31(8), 43-46.

• ZHANG, S. (2012), Application of ArcGIS geodatabase to the protection of historical features in the historical block. Journal of Shanxi Architecture, 38(31), 7-9.

• ZHANG, S. (2012), Analysis on the construction technology of Vertical Greening of residential buildings. Journal of Anhui Architecture, 19(5), 17-18.

Qualification

• Bachelor of Environmental Design, Hunan Normal University;

• Masters of Environmental Design, Hunan Normal University;

• Masters of Urban Development and Design, University of New South Wales

Supervisors

Dr Gerhard Bruyns (Main Supervisor)

Prof Tim Jachna (Co-supervisor)

Specialization / Interests

Urban Design, Built Heritage, Urban Regeneration, Urban Planning, Urbanisation

Date of Completion

January 2021

Study: Ph.D

Study mode: Full Time