Spatial Regeneration for Preservation of Historic Urban Features and Improvement of Living Conditions in High-density Historic Districts: Urban Renewal Design Strategies for Shanghai's Old Town

Abstract

Being the origin of Shanghai City, the Old Town presents a high-density spatial texture, a characteristic of local living conditions in the Shanghai context. However, the Old Town is faced with competing interests: the preservation of historic urban features and the improvement of contemporary living conditions. In view of its high density and poor living conditions, this paper focuses on two types of blocks for urban design research, and proposes two spatial regeneration strategies, as "overlapping lilong" and "texture continuity". It is expected to inherit the regional characteristics of urban space, improve the plot ratio and supplement the mix of functions, through the translation of the traditional lilong typology and the reproduction of historical streets and alleys, so as to provide operable spatial strategies and design methods for the organic renewal of Old Town and other historic districts.