Innovation Series: Advanced Science (ISSN 2938-9933, CNKI Indexed)

Study on the Construction Method of "Blue-Green Network" Pedestrian System in Public Spaces of Ancient Water Towns

Shuofeng Wang, Yule Fu

Gold Mantis School of Architecture, Soochow University, Jiangsu, China

Funding

Undergraduate Training Program for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Soochow University, [Project No.202410285171Y].

Abstract: Against the backdrop of urban planning shifting toward stock renewal, China’s ancient water towns—preserving relatively intact land-water layouts—offer significant potential for public space revitalization. However, these ancient water towns currently face macro-level challenges such as public space shortages, uneven distribution, and poor systemic integration, alongside micro-level issues like disorganized local environments and underutilized waterfronts. Transcending single-region limitations, this paper proposes a universal framework for constructing a "blue-green network" pedestrian system in water town public spaces, using the northern section of Suzhou's Pingjiang Historic District as a case study. Employing spatial syntax and POI kernel density analysis, the study establishes a quantitative method to scientifically delineate the slow-traffic framework; it also systematically summarizes spatial optimization strategies and standardized node modules for four typical street prototypes. This approach advocates for connecting points into a continuous, slow-traffic network to comprehensively enhance the quality of public spaces in ancient water towns, providing theoretical support and practical guidelines for similar revitalization efforts.

Keywords: Spatial syntax; Stock renewal; Historic districts; Blue-green network; Construction paradigm

References