Morphological characteristics of the waterfront ancient fortress settlement in South-eastern Shanxi based on System Theory: Space Syntax Analyses of Fort Diji in the Qinhe River Basin, China

Abstract

With the rapid urban expansion, morphology of the Chinese waterfront ancient fortress settlement struggles to accommodate the changing needs of contemporary life. How to balance the relationship between spatial pattern protection and settlement development is the problem that need to be addressed. Taking Fort Diji (Yangcheng County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province) as a complex system, morphological characteristics analysis was divided into three research hierarchies based on system theory: 1) the spatial relationship between system and external environment; 2) the spatial organization structures of system's internal spaces; 3) the evolution process of the system in time and space; 4) In addition, research further explored the succession pattern of morphology and undelying organization mechanisms. Two kinds of Space Syntax Analysis Models (Axial Map, Visibility Map) were utilized to each proposed quantitative analysis scenario, focusing on the value of Integration, Connection and Topological Depth. The results include: 1) Poor traffic accessibility and narrow surrounding spaces contradict with tourism development; 2) Introversion of system is difficult to meet frequent communication needs of modern life. 3) Spaces on water with high Visibility value are inaccessible to tourists. 4) System presents three evolution stages: ‘from chaos to order’, ‘from simple to complex’ and ‘from flourish to decline’. Three aspects of sustainable development suggestions were further put forward: Integrate the town road network; Renovate the surrounding environment; Comply with the law of evolution.