Evolution of the commercial blocks in ancient Beijing city from the street network perspective

doi:10.1007/s11442-018-1509-6

Abstract

Abstract:

The synergistic relationship between urban functions and street networks has always been a focus in the field of urban research and practice. From the perspective of street networks, by adopting space syntax, this study analyzed the deep structural characteristics and potential evolution rules of commercial blocks attached to street networks in different periods, as well as the corresponding economic, political, and cultural characteristics of ancient Beijing city over the past 800 years. By combining these with changes in the street network, we further explained the function mechanism of layout and level adjustment in commercial blocks, and the influence of the street network on commercial blocks in the process of historical change. The main conclusions included the following: (1) The urban centripetal-centrifugal siphon effect: the layout form, topological structure, and traffic mode changes in the street network had corresponding guidance for the layout and hierarchical system of commercial blocks, while the centripetal development of the street network could guide the agglomeration effect of commercial blocks, although centrifugal development caused commercial blocks to display outward evacuation. (2) Stage transformation from mutation node to smooth development: the layout of commercial blocks came to depend on the ability to cross the commuting flow center, which originally relied on the accessibility of transportation nodes as local centers. Changes in traffic modes mainly affected the adjustment of the first-level commercial blocks, which easily led to overall layout mutation. Traffic levels have an obvious positive hierarchical relation with the second- and third-level commercial blocks. (3) The adaptation of traditional commercial blocks to the needs of a modern city: affected by the different emerging times and unevenness of the original commercial foundation, commercial blocks have formed various developmental models that meet the needs of modernization, and reach a balance between cultural continuity and functional adaptation.

Key words: commercial block, street network, urban spatial-temporal evolution, space syntax, ancient Beijing city

Fang WANG, Jing HE, Chunyan JIANG, Yixi LI. Evolution of the commercial blocks in ancient Beijing city from the street network perspective[J].Journal of Geographical Sciences, 2018, 28(6): 845-868.

Figures/Tables 10

Figure 1

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Table 1

Summary of the commercial blocks of ancient Beijing city in different periods"

Period	Level of commercial blocks
Period	First level	Second level	Third level	Fourth level (Temple fair)
Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)	Zhonggulou Block	Yangjiao Block, Shumiyuanjiao Block	Shengdong Block, Shun- chengmen Gate Block, Shishikou Block, Wenmingmen Gate Block
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)	Chaoqian Block	Dengshikou Block, Xisi Block	Di’anmen Gate Block, Xinjiekou Block, Beixinqiao Block, Dongsi Block, Dongdan Block, Xidan Block, Caishikou Block, Chongwenmenwai Block	Chenghuang Temple
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)	Qianmen Block	Dongsi Block, Chongwenmenwai Block, Xisi Block, Caishikou Block	Di’anmen Gate Block, Dongdan Block, Xidan Block, Dong’an Block, Liulichang Block, Tianqiao Block, Huashi Block, Beixinqiao Block, Xinjiekou Block	Longfu Temple, Huguo Temple, Chenghuang Temple, Beiyaowang Temple, Tudi Temple, Nanyaowang Temple, Dongyaowang Temple
Republic of China (1912-1949)	Wangfujing Block, Qianmen Block	Dongsi Block, Xisi Block, Dongdan Block, Xidan Block, Chongwenmenwai Block, Caishikou Block, Tianqiao Block	Xinjiekou Block, Beixinqiao Block, Di’anmen Gate Block, Liulichang Block, Huashi Block	Huguo Temple, Dongyaowang Temple, White Pagoda Temple, Longfu Temple, Tudi Temple, Nanyaowang Temple
Exploration Period of the People’s Republic of China (1949-1977)	Xidan Block, Wangfujing Block, Qianmen Block	Dongsi Block, Xisi Block, Caishikou Block, Chongwenmenwai Block, Tianqiao Block	Xinjiekou Block, Beixinqiao Block, Di’anmen Gate Block, Xuanwumenwai Block, Baizhifang Block, Liulichang Block
Reform and Opening-up Period of the People’s Republic of China (1978-)	Xidan Block, Wangfujing Block, Qianmen Block	Financial Street, Dongsi Block, Chongwenmenwai Block, Xuanwumenwai Block	Xinjiekou Block, Beixinqiao Block, Di’anmen Gate Block, Xisi Block, Baizhifang Block, Caishikou Block, Tianqiao Block

Table 1

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Figure 8

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Period	First-level (R²)	Second-level (R²)	Third-level(R²)	Whole (R²)
Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)	0.588	0.718	0.719	0.684
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)	0.443	0.966	0.890	0.898
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)	0.761	0.795	0.787	0.775
Republic of China (1912-1949)	0.853	0.910	0.912	0.894
Exploration Period of the People’s Republic of China (1949-1977)	0.701	0.901	0.771	0.738
Reform and Opening-up Period of the People’s Republic of China (1978-)	0.678	0.884	0.831	0.812