Abstract
TheFurongStreetBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock(芙蓉街-百花
洲历史文化街区)inJinan,asanintegralpartofthecity'surbanculturalheritage, carriesrichhistoricalmemoriesandregionalcharacteristics.However,withthe accelerationofurbanisationandmodernisation,thedistrictfacesmultiple challenges,includingcommercialhomogenisation,lossofculturalidentity, deteriorationoflivingconditions,andtheimpactoftourismdevelopmentonits originalecosystemAlthoughtherehasbeenextensiveresearchonthe preservationandrenewalofhistoricalandculturalblocks,systematicanalysisof theexistingproblems,theirunderlyingcauses,andtheresultingchallenges remainsinsufficientintheFurongStreetBaihuazhouHistoricalandCultural BlockTherefore,thisdissertationconductsacomprehensiveanalysisofthe currentstateoftheFurongStreetBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock throughmethodssuchasdocumentaryresearch,fieldsurveys,andquestionnaires, aimingtouncovertherootcausesofthepresentissues.
Buildingontheidentificationofthesecauses,thispaperfurtherdiscusses themultifacetedchallengesfacedbytheFurongStreetBaihuazhouHistoricaland CulturalBlockandproposesaseriesoftargetedrecommendations.Asasignificant sitewherehistoryandmodernityintersect,theBaihuazhoublocknotonly embodiesthememoriesandemotionsofJinan'sresidentsbutalsoholds considerablepotentialfordevelopment.Throughtheanalysisanddiscussionof
theseissues,thispaperaimstoprovidenewperspectivesforthefutureof Baihuazhou,enablingittorejuvenatewithrenewedvitalityintheprocessof preservationanddevelopment.
Keywords:HistoricalandCulturalBlock,FurongStreetBaihuazhou, Conservation,ProblemCauses,Challenges
Chapter1Introduction
HistoricalandCulturalBlocks(历史文化街区)inChinaareofficially designatedbytheMinistryofHousingandUrban-RuralDevelopmentandthe NationalCulturalHeritageAdministration.Thesedistrictscanbelocatedacrossthe countryandarethemaintargetsofthehistoricalandculturalheritageprotection system.
OnApril21,2015,theMinistryofHousingandUrban-RuralDevelopment andtheNationalCulturalHeritageAdministrationdeclaredforthefirsttimethat thereare30Chinesehistoricalandculturalblocks,withtheImperialCityHistorical andCulturalBlockinBeijingasanexampleByOctober25,2023,over1,200 historicalandculturaldistrictshadbeendesignatednationwide,with63,500 historicalbuildingsidentified
TheFurongStreetBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockislocatedin theheartofJinan'soldcityandisnotonlythemostimportant,butalsothenucleus ofthecity'snaturalandculturallayout.Itisequivalenttothetraditionaland historicalculturalquartersinJinan'soldtown,anditprovidestheheart'sbloodof thecentralzoneofthecity.TheprotectedareaspansfromCountyWestLaneinthe easttoGongyuanWallStreetinthewestandfromQuanchengRoadinthesouthto DamingLakeRoadinthenorth,coveringatotalareaof25.7hectares.Thisblockis theonlywell-preservedandthemosttraditionalpartleftintheancientcityof Jinan.Itisthecorecommercialdistrictoftheoldtown,wheretraditionalstreet
Figure1.FurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock.
Source:Author,usingBaiduMapsasbaseimage.
1.1ResearchBackground
China'shistoricalandculturalblocks2holdsignificantvalueasurban historyandculturecarriers.Thesedistrictscomprehensivelyreflectthetraditional characteristicsanduniquefeaturesofcitiesduringspecifichistoricalperiodsThe FurongStreetBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock,oneofthethree provincial-levelhistoricalandculturalblocksinJinan,integratesthecity'snatural scenery,folkculture,springculture,andreligiousculture,showcasingtheunique
2BaiduBaike,“ChinaHistoricalandCulturalBlocks,”accessedMarch29, 2025,https://baike.baidu.com/item/中国历史文化街区/17353170.
charmofthecity.
AsanarchitecturestudentandaresidentofJinan,Iamnostrangertothe BaihuazhouFurongStreetarea.Ioftenvisitthisareawithfriendsduringmy leisuretime,immersingmyselfinthetraditionalfolkculturewhileenjoyingthe vibrantcommercialatmosphere,asitisadjacenttoJinan'smostfamous commercialstreet,QuanchengRoad.Duetomyacademicbackground,Ihavecome tounderstandthattheBaihuazhouareaisrichinarchitecturalheritageand embodiesthetraditionalculturalcharacteristicsofJinan.Thishasfurthersparked mystronginterestinstudyingandresearchingthisareaAsIhavegrownolderand gainedmoreexperience,Ihavevisitedmanyotherregionsandexplorednumerous traditionaldistricts,experiencingthefolkculturesofcitiesandcountriessuchas Beijing,Shanghai,Chengdu,SuzhouinChina,aswellascountriesinEurope,Japan, SoutheastAsia,Australia,andNewZealandThesetravelshaveallowedmeto appreciatethediversecustomsandculturalrichnessofdifferentplaces,whilealso beingcaptivatedbythetraditionalarchitectureandurbancharacteristicsof variouscitiesandcountries.Aftertheseexperiences,Ihavecometodeeplyrealise that,beyondthecommonelementsandfacilitiesofmoderncities,itisoftenthe mosttraditionalcultureandarchitectureofacitythatservesasitsirreplaceable identityandbestsymbol.Thisrealisationisakeymotivationbehindmycurrent research.Iaimtoexploreanddiscovermoreaboutthehistoricalandcultural blocksofmyhometownthroughon-siteresearchandstudy,whilealsoidentifying theirshortcomingsandareasforimprovement.Ibelievethatwiththestrong
supportofnationalpreservationpoliciesandthejointeffortsofvarious organisationsandcitizens,China'shistoricalandculturalblockswillundoubtedly continuetodevelopandthrive,showcasingevenmorevitalityandbrillianceinthe newera.
1.2ResearchQuestion
Historicalandculturalblockscarrythehistoryandcultureofacity, embodyingrichvaluesandsignificanceNevertheless,alongsidetherapidgrowth ofurbanisationandthetransformationofChinaunderhighmodernity,theseareas faceavarietyofchallenges,includingthedegradationofarchitecturalfeaturesand theerosionofculturalidentityThisdissertationisdedicatedtotheFurong StreetBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockinJinan,whichisstudiedasa casetodocumentandanalysethecurrentstateoftheblock,identifyexistingissues, exploretheirrootcauses,proposerecommendations,andprovidefutureprospects inlightofthechallengestheblockcurrentlyfaces.
1.3ResearchScope
CentreonFurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockinJinan, thisdissertationexaminesthethreekeyaspects:commercialareas,touristareas, andresidentialareas.Itsprimarygoalistoidentifytherootcausesofcurrent
TheFurongStreetBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockisconsidered fromdifferentperspectives.Inthediversityoftools,thisstudythoroughly examinestheissuesandchallengesfacedbytheFurongStreet-Baihuazhou HistoricalandCulturalBlock,providingrealisticconclusionsand recommendations.
1.5HistoricUrbanLandscapeAnalysis
Ahistoricurbanlandscapeanalysiswillbeconductedbelowtounderstand betterthehistoryandcultureofFurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCultural BlockandJinanCityIn2011,UNESCOintroducedtheconceptoftheHistoricUrban LandscapeCentraltothisphilosophyismanaginghistoricurbanlandscapes holisticallybyintegratingthegoalsofurbanheritageconservationwiththoseof socialandeconomicdevelopment3Therefore,inthemanagementofurban heritage,itissometimesnecessarytopayattentionnotonlytobuildingsand culturalrelics,butalsototheentireurbanenvironment,includingtheurban architecturaltexture,culturaltraditions,communityvaluesandnatural environmentandsoon,andtolookattheentireurbanenvironmentasanorganic whole.
BysituatingFurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockwithin thebroadercontextofthecity,thispaperaimstogainamorecomprehensive
3.UNESCO,“HistoricUrbanLandscapeApproachExplained,”accessed March29,2025.https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1026.
understandingoftheblockandbetteridentifytheexistingproblems,ultimately providingsuggestionsforbalanceddevelopmentandconservation.
JinanwasnamedaState-levelhistoricalandculturalcityin1986bythe StateCouncil.4Thecityboastsahistoryspanningover2,700years,andthroughits longdevelopmentprocess,ithasaccumulatedarichculturalheritageand numerousscenicspots.ItisworthmentioningthatJinanhasanicknamecalled "SpringCity,"whichisduetothepresenceofmorethan800naturalspringswithin thecity,seamlesslyintegratedintoitsfabricandhavingaprofoundimpactonthe livesofitscitizensAtthesametime,JinanCityisalsoauniqueplacethatcombines "mountains,springs,lakes,rivers,andcities"withinasinglecity,showcasingthe richnessofitsurbanlandscapeAsthecapitalofShandongProvince,Jinanisthe political,economic,cultural,technological,transportationandfinancialcentreof ShandongProvinceIn1904,Jinanopenedacommercialport,whichplayeda significantroleinthedevelopmentofindustryandcommerceAtthebeginningof the20thcentury,theJiaojiRailwayandtheJinpuRailway,bothbuiltbyGermany, convergedhere,furtherpromotingtheprosperityofJinan.Today,whilewalkingin Jinan'sDaguanyuanMall,theoldcommercialport,youcanstillexperiencethe prosperityofbusinessandtheinterwovenlandscapeofoldandnewstreets.The combinationofJinan'shistoryandnaturallandscape,alongwithitsprofound nationaltraditionsandcommercialculture,hascreatedauniqueurbanlandscape
4.Sohu.com.“TheOldTownofJinanHasaHistoryTracingBackMoreThan 4,000Years.”AccessedMarch29,2025. https://www.sohu.com/a/217191620488237.
thatreflectsahighheritagevalueinintegratingnatureandhumanity.
Inthisurbanlandscape,FurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCultural Blockoccupiesthecoreareaoftheoldcity,showcasingJinan'srichcultural heritageandtraditionalculture.In2014,theblockwasselectedforthefirstbatch ofprovincialhistoricalandculturalblocksinShandongProvince,andsincethen, itsheritagevaluehasbeenfurtheraffirmed.Ithasalsobecomeakeygoalof conservationandplanning.
FurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockspansanareaof approximately257hectares,preservingacompletepatternoftraditionalstreets andmanyhistoricalbuildings,andiscloselylinkedtoJinan'srenownedspring waterlandscapeTheblock'stexturereflectsthecontinuousaccumulationof history,particularlythetracesofurbandevelopmentdatingbacktotheMingand QingdynastiesThecurrentstreetsnotonlyshowcasetraditionalhistorical architecturalfeaturesbutalsocontainarichculturallifeandtraditionalskills,such asshadowplay,papercutting,andwoodcarving,whichvividlyconveythecultural storiesofJinan.Thisuniqueblendofhistoricalstreetsandculturalskillsalso significantlyenhancestheoverallvalueoftheblock.
However,withtheblock'scontinuousdevelopmentandincreasing popularityinrecentyears,someproblemshavegraduallybeenexposed.Whatare thereasonsbehindtheseproblems,andwhatchallengesistheblockfacing?
Chapter2:LiteratureReview
Acomprehensiveunderstandingofthebackgroundandresearchcontext canbegainedbyconductingaliteraturereviewrelatedtotheconservationand revitalisationofBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockinJinan.Thissectionwill beorganisedintothreemainparts.
2.1Policy
First,theliteraturereviewwillfocusonplanningpoliciesandconservation frameworksGovernment-issueddocuments,includingconservationplansand urbanrenewalstrategies,definethescope,objectives,andprinciplesforthe protectionofhistoricandculturalblocksThesepolicieshaveplayedacrucialrole inguidingtheconservationanddevelopmentofBaihuazhou
ThePeople'sGovernmentofShandongProvince,inits“Noticeonthe AnnouncementoftheFirstBatchofHistoricalandCulturalBlocks”,clarifiedthat areassuchasBaihuazhouandtheGeneralTempleinJinanwereincludedinthe firstbatchofhistoricalandculturalBlocksinShandongProvince.
TheJinanPeople'sGovernment'sJinanHistoricalandCulturalCity ConservationPlan5identifiestheplanningprinciples,objectives,protectionlevels, andcontentsofJinan'shistoricalandculturalheritage.
5.JinanPeople’sGovernment,TheJinanHistoricalandCulturalCity ConservationPlan,accessedMarch29,2025.
urbandesign.
DunShaotong's“ANALYSISOFDECORATIONMATERIALSOFBAIHUAZHOU HISTORICANDCULTURALBLOCKINJINAN”9analysesthearchitecturaland landscapedecorationmaterialsofBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock.
AnqiLian,“ResearchonLandscapeRenewalofJinanHistoricalandCultural NeighbourhoodBasedonPlaceAttachmentTakingBaihuazhouHistoricaland CulturalNeighbourhoodasanExample”10.Guidedbythetheoryofplace attachment,thisstudyexaminesstrategiesforrevitalisingJinan'shistoricaland culturalblocksItanalysestheemotionalattachmentofresidentsandtouriststo theseareas,providingmorehuman-centreddesignapproachesforlandscape renewal
2.3TheoryandStrategy
Thirdly,thestudywilldrawinsightsfrominternationalperspectivesand adaptivereusestrategies.Researchonsustainabledevelopment,thebalance betweenconservationandutilisation,andheritageconservationcasesfromplaces suchasSingaporeprovidevaluablereferencesfortherevitalisationofhistoric
9DunShaotongandJiangZhuoshan,“AnalysisofDecorationMaterialsof BaihuazhouHistoricandCulturalBlockinJinan,”IndustrialDesign,no8(2021): 134–135.
10AnqiLianandDaliangLiu,“ResearchonLandscapeRenewalofJinan HistoricalandCulturalNeighbourhoodBasedonPlaceAttachmentTaking BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalNeighbourhoodasanExample,”Design9,no5 (2024):442–451.
internationalexperiences.Thesestudiesencompassanalysesofarchitecturaland spatialforms,characteristicsofdecorativematerials,andthedefinitionof conservationplanningandpolicyframeworks.Furthermore,strategiesforadaptive reusefromtheperspectiveofsustainabledevelopmentandapproachesto balancingconservationandutilisationhaveprovidedtheoreticalsupportforthe renewalandprotectionofHistoricalandCulturalBlocks.Internationally,successful experiences,suchasSingapore'sexemplaryeffortsinconservingandrenewing historicalblocks,havealsoofferedvaluableinsightsfortheconservationofFurong Street-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock
Althoughtheliteraturehasalreadylaidthegroundworkforthe conservationandrenaissanceofFurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCultural Block,acomprehensiveinquiryintoitscurrentstatusandspecificsituationsin variousareaswithintheblockremainslackingAdditionally,thestudiesonthe community’sneedsandopinionsareinsufficientTheseunderexploredmattersare theprimaryfocusofthisresearchontheFurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricaland CulturalBlock.
3.2FieldResearch
Thisstudywillemployfieldsurveystogainacomprehensiveunderstanding oftheactualsituationonFurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock. Theinquirywillencompassdirectobservation,photography,andconversations withlocalcitizensandtouriststodemonstratethebuilding'sfeaturesandcurrent issuesintheblock.Specialattentionwillbegiventocommercial,residential,and touristareastogainabetterunderstandingofthespecificissues,suchasbuilding decay,environmentalpollution,andthelossofculturalheritageTheinteraction, whichisface-to-facewithresidentsandbusinessindividuals,willalsobeusedto gathercriticismsandsuggestionsforimprovingFurongStreet-Baihuazhou HistoricalandCulturalBlock,whichwillserveasprimarydatafortheupcoming problemanalysisandstrategyformulationprocesses
3.3QuestionnaireSurvey
Theresearchwillconductaregionalquestionnairesurvey,aimingtogather comprehensiveinsightsfromurbanresidentsregardingtheFurong Street–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock.Thedesignanddistributionofa questionnaireaimtocollectinformationfromcitizensofdiverseagesandsocial backgrounds,includingtheirfrequencyandpurposesofvisits,theiruser experience,andsuggestionsforgrowthanddevelopment.Inthisway,thesurvey
willsoonbecirculatedthroughonlineplatforms,invitingthepublictoprovidea briefresponseregardingtheirsatisfactionwiththedistrictandtheirspecificneeds. Themoreinformationthatcomes,themorevariousperspectiveswillbeanalysed.
Hence,thecompleteinformationwillassistfurtheranalysis.
3.4CaseStudyAnalysis
Thisstudywillalsoadoptacasestudyapproach,drawinglessonsfrom successfulexamplesofhistoricaldistrictconservationandrevitalizationinother partsoftheworld,suchasSingaporeThroughthediscussionofthemainfactors contributingtosuccessandtheidentificationofcommonstrategies,thestudyaims tosuggestrelevantrecommendationsthatwillenhancetheFurong
Street–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock
theCollectedPoemsofZhangWenrui,duringthefourthyearoftheYongzheng reign,indicatingahistoryofnearly300years.
OneofthebusieststreetsinJinan'shistoricaldistrictisFurongStreet.It appearstobeminor,yetnumeroussmallvendorsandshopowners,whosella widerangeoflocalfoodandgoods,occupytheentirestreet.Thethoroughfareis constantlypackedwithpeopleeveryday,whichconfirmsitstrulyvibrant commercialatmosphere.
Source:Author
Source:Author
TheBaihuazhouarea,locatedintheLixiaDistrictofJinan,Shandong Province,isalsoknownasBaihuating,Baihuachi,andXiaonanhu.Thedistrict, spanningover7,000squaremeters,isaperfectblendofuntouchednaturalbeauty andhistoricculturalheritage.Theregionisknownfortheserpentinespringsthat flowalongthestreetsandalleys,makingtheancientatmosphereandthevivid contemporaryvibeblendseamlessly.Hence,Baihuazhouisthemostattractive destinationforculturaltourismandfolkexperiences,exhibitingtheoriginalcharm
ofJinan.
Source:Author
Source:Author
TheBaihuazhoupartisuniqueamongprevailingtourismindustriesdueto itsconcentrationofthefollowingfourbasicculturalthemesTheyarethespring culture,thatischaracterisedbyJinan’sfamousspringwaterfeatures;thefolk culture,thatincludesthetraditionalhomes,alleys,workplaces,andfolk performingarts;thereligiousculture,thatshowsthefivedifferentreligionsthat liveinharmony;thehealthcareculture,whichisbasedontraditionalChinese medicinethathasitsrootsinBianQue’shometownaswellascoldspringtherapy. TheseuniquefeatureshavebroughtnewlifetoJinan’soldtown,revivingitshistory, culture,andcommercialactivity.
WalkingalongthebanksofBaihuazhou,youwillseepoolsformedby springs,reflectingthearchitecturalstyleoftraditionalJinanhouses.Historical recordsconfirmthatthesewaterwayshaveexistedsincetheMingandQing dynasties.Theresidentialbuildingsandstreetlayouthavealsomainlybeen preserved,maintainingtheauthenticcharmofthehistoricdistrict.
Source:Author
Source:Author
BookstorearethemostshiningculturalspotsintheBaihuazhouHistoricaland CulturalBlock.TheybothrepresenttraditionalChinesemedicineandmodern readingspaces,andthussignifyJinan,withitslonghistoryandcontemporary culture.ThesevenuesembodytheculturalpluralismofBaihuazhou,offeringtheir audiencediverseculturalexperiences.Intheircourtyards,you'llfeellikeyou've travelledbackintime.
TheZhaoShutangTraditionalChineseMedicineClinic,awell-established clinicintheBaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock,isahistoricinstitutionthat datesbackoveracenturyandhasitsrootsinJinan'straditionalTCMZhaoShutang, atime-honouredbrandinShandongProvinceformanydecades,hasbecomea medicalcentrerenownedforitsuniqueandhighlyeffectivemedicaltreatments andprescriptions,primarilyinitstwomainspecialties:herbalhealthand cold-springtherapyTheplaquelocatedattheentrancetotheclinicalsomarksitas anofficialeducationalandpromotionalbaseforTCMcultureinShandong Province
Theclinichasatraditionaldesignthatmatchesthehistoricalatmosphereof Baihuazhou.Ontheinside,thewallsarelinedwithanextensivecollectionof classicaltextsandinstrumentsthatshowthelonghistoryofthedevelopmentof Chinesemedicine.Theclinicistypicallyaccompaniedbytraditionalmedical consultations,whichalsoteachabouttheculturalheritageofJinan,acitywhere the"SageofMedicine"BianQuewasborn,amongothernotablefigures.Its presencenotonlyenhancestheculturaldiversityoftheBaihuazhouareabutalso
productsandavarietyofcreativeitems,offeringthepossibilityofsomefunand discovery.
Morethanjustaplacetoread,QianmoBookstoreisatranquilcourtyard wheretouristsandlocalscanfindaserenespottorestandunwindwhileexploring thebustlingstreets.
Figure11JinanQianmoBookstoreFigure12Theinteriorofthebookstore
Source:Author. Source:Author.
CasesofZhaoShutangTCMClinicandQianmoBookstoreareagood indicationoftheFurongStreet–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock’s essenceintermsof‘culture’and‘history’.Thisculturalaspectisnotonly manifestedthroughthetraditionalChinesemedicineandbookstheyoffer,butalso inthearchitecturalformandspatialdispositionofthetwocourtyardsBoth locationsfeaturethetypicalJinanarchitecturalstyle,alongwithmoderncultural elementsTherefore,theyhavebeenthelandmarksofthedistrictthathavehada significantimpactontheculture,attractingthosewhowishtoexperienceit
FurongStreet-BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock,oneofthethree provincialhistoricalandculturalblocksinJinanCity,showcasesJinan'srich historicalandculturalheritage,highlightingthenaturallandscape,folkculture, springwaterculture,andreligiouscultureofthecity.Sincethe“announcementof theFirstBatchofHistoricalandCulturalBlocksinShandongProvince”in2014,the FurongStreet–BaihuazhouBlockhasreceivedincreasingattentionand recognitionyearbyyear.Sincethen,theJinanMunicipalgovernmenthasfurther issuedtheJinanCityHistoricalandCulturalCityConservationPlan,clarifyingthat theblockislistedasthekeyareaofhistoricalandculturalprotectionofJinanCity, thepurposeistoprotectthehistoricalstyleandculturalcharacteristicsofthe blockthroughscientificplanningandmanagement,whilepromotingitsfurther development
TheJinanUrbanRenewalSpecialPlanissuedbytheJinanMunicipal Governmentin2022furtherclarifiedtheprotectionandrenewalstrategyof historicalandculturalblocksThesepoliciesemphasizethatwhileprotecting historicalandculturalheritage,theorganicintegrationoftheblockandmodern urbandevelopmentshouldbepromotedtoenhancethefunctionalityandlivability oftheblock.Specificmeasuresincludetherestorationofhistoricalbuildings,the renovationoftheneighborhoodenvironment,theoptimizationofcommercial formatsandtheimprovementofculturaldisplays.
However,despitethegreatattentiongivenbythepolicylevel,itisfoundin theactualresearchthattherearestillsomeissuesandchallengesinFurongStreet-
Figure13.HomogenisedfoodproductsonFurongStreet.Source:Author.
AsshowninFigure13,thestreetviewfromasectionofFurongStreet revealsanovercrowdedarrangementofdiningestablishmentsliningbothsidesof thestreet.Themajorityoffoodofferingsincludefriedsnacks,barbecueitems,and variousmilkteabeverages,withahighdegreeofrepetitionamongvendors.The shopsaretightlypackedtogether,andtheirsignagevariesinsize,colour,andstyle, creatingavisuallyclutteredanddisorganisedstreetscape.Fieldobservations furtherrevealedthatsomestorefrontshadvisiblyuncleankitchenareasand counters,withgreasestainsandotherhygieneissues.
2PoorEnvironmentalManagementandSubstandardSanitationinCertain Areas
DespiteitsstatusasakeytouristattractioninJinan,theFurong Street–Baihuazhoucommercialareasuffersfrominadequateenvironmental managementInseverallocations,wastedisposalisnothandledpromptly, resultinginpoorsanitaryconditionsthatdetractfromtheoverallvisitor
risks.Fieldobservationsrevealedissuessuchascrackedwalls,leakingroofsin severalhouses,severelyimpactingthelivingconditionsandqualityoflifefor residents.
Figure15.Thedilapidatedconditionofacertainresidentialhouse.
Source:Author.
AsshowninFigure15,theroofabovetheentranceofthisresidential buildinghassufferedsignificantdamageanddeteriorationRatherthanbeing properlyrepaired,ithasmerelybeenwrappedwithmeshmaterialasatemporary measure.Aroundtheresidence,airconditioningunitsaremounteddirectlyonto theexteriorwalls,andelectricalwiresarelefthangingacrossthestreet.These conditionsnotonlyposepotentialsafetyhazardsbutalsonegativelyimpactboth thequalityoflifeforresidentsandtheoverallimageofthehistoricalandcultural block.
2.DisorganizedSpatialLayoutAffectingOverallStreetscape.
Theinternalspatiallayoutoftheresidentialareasisrelativelydisorganised, withsomebuildingsappearinginconsistentwiththeoverallarchitectural characterofthedistrict.Thislackofvisualcoherencenotonlycompromisesthe aestheticappealoftheareabutalsounderminesitsimageasadesignated historicalandculturalblock.
Figure16.Theclutteredinteriorspace.Source:Author.
AsshowninFigure16,theporchandcourtyardofthisresidenceare clutteredwithvariousdiscardeditemsandworn-outfurnitureThewallsexhibit significantdamage,withsomeareasexposingtheunderlyingbrickworkThisnot onlydetractsfromtheaestheticappealoftheareabutalsoreflectsthelackof maintenanceandorganizationwithintheresidentialzone
clearculturalmarkersthatcouldencouragedeeperengagement.
4.1.3Summary
Inconclusion,theFurongStreet–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock facessignificantchallengesacrossitscommercial,residential,andtouristareas. Keyissuesincludeproducthomogenizationandpoorenvironmentalmanagement inthecommercialzone,buildingdeteriorationanddisorganizedspatiallayoutsin theresidentialzone,andsuperficialculturaldisplayswithlimitedexperiential depthinthetouristzone.
Thesechallengesnotonlycompromisetheoverallimageandfunctionality oftheblockbutalsohinderitssustainabledevelopmentasahistoricalandcultural blockTherefore,thisstudywillfurtherinvestigatetheunderlyingcausesofthese issuesthroughquestionnairesurveys,comparativeanalysis,andfieldobservations Basedonthefindings,thefollowingchapterswillproposetargeted recommendations
4.2QuestionnaireResultsAnalysis
Inordertounderstandpeople'suseandfeelingsoftheFurong Street–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock,thisstudysentonline questionnairestothecitizens.
Thequestionnaireconsistsof14questions.Thefirstpartisaboutthebasic informationoftherespondents,suchasage,gender,occupationandresidence.The
secondpartasksrespondentsabouttheuseoftheblock,includingthefrequency andpurposeofthevisit;Thethirdpartistheevaluationandsuggestionsofthe block,includingsatisfaction,themainexistingproblems,thereasonsforeach problemandthesuggestionsforfuturedevelopment.
This"theFurongStreet–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlockPublic OpinionSurvey"wassentoutthroughthewechatminiprogram,andatotalof216 validquestionnaireswerecollected,coveringpeopleofdifferentages,occupations andplacesofresidence,focusingonthepublic'svisitbehavior,satisfaction evaluationandproblemsintheblockAccordingtothesurvey,thepurposeofthe respondents'visitismainlyrelaxation,sightseeing,foodtastingandcultural experience,andthevisitfrequencyisdiverseAtthesatisfactionlevel,thepublic notonlyrecognizestheculturalvalueoftheblock,butalsoreflectsprominent problemssuchascommercialhomogenization,environmentalmaintenance,and culturaldisplaydepthintheblock,amongwhichfactorssuchasbusiness orientation,managementmechanismandfacilityplanningrationalitybecomethe maincontradictions.Inthesamplegroup,localresidentsaccountedforarelatively highproportion,andtheyhadmoreexperienceoftheblocks.Thepurposeofthis questionnairesurveyistoprovideamulti-dimensionalreferenceforthe improvementoftheblockthroughsystematicdataanalysis.
4.2.1BasicInformation
Amongthe216respondents,34individuals(15.74%)wereundertheageof 18.Thelargestagegroupwas18to30yearsold,comprising54respondents
(25%).Thoseaged31to45madeup20.83%ofthesample(45respondents), followedcloselybythe46to60agegroup,with48individuals(22.22%).Finally, 35respondents(16.2%)wereagedover60.
Table1.AgeDistributionofRespondents.Source:Author.
Ofthe216respondents,110werefemale(50.93%)and106weremale (49.07%).Thedifferenceingenderdistributionwasminimal.
Table2.GenderDistributionofRespondent.Source:Author.
Basedontheoccupationaldataofthe216respondents,thelargestgroup wasstudents,with54individuals(25%)Thiswasfollowedbycorporate employees(47people,2176%)andfreelancers(46people,213%)Other categoriesincludedretirees(39people,1806%),civilservants(28people, 1296%),andothers(2people,093%)
Table3OccupationalBreakdownofRespondentsSource:Author
Accordingtothestatisticsonrespondents'placesofresidence,713%were fromJinan,ShandongProvince;1667%werefromothercitieswithinShandong; and1204%werefromotherprovincesinChinaThisdistributionsuggeststhat localresidentsaremorefamiliarwiththisbolck,enablingthemtoprovidemore informedresponsestothesurveyquestions
Table4Respondents’PlacesofResidenceSource:Author
4.2.2Usage
RegardingthefrequencyofvisitstotheFurongStreet–Baihuazhou HistoricalandCulturalBlock,89respondents(41.2%)selectedAfewtimesper year,makingitthelargestgroup.ThiswasfollowedbythosewhochoseRarelyor never,with57respondents(26.39%),and1–2timesperquarter,with50
respondents(23.15%).Theoptions1–3timespermonthandOnceaweekormore wereselectedby12(5.56%)and8respondents(3.7%)respectively.
Thedatashowsthat,apartfromtheRarelyornevergroup,thenumberof respondentsdecreasesasthefrequencyofvisitsincreasesandafewtimesperyear wasthemostcommonlyselectedoption.
Figure18.Respondents’visitfrequency.Source:Author.
Itisworthnotingthatretireesshowacleartendencytowardmorefrequent visits,followedbyfreelancers.Amongtheeightrespondentswhovisiteveryweek, 625%(fivepeople)wereretirees,and375%(threepeople)werefreelancers Withinthegroupthatvisitsmonthly,retireesstillholdaleadingproportionat 4167%Thisindirectlyreflectstherelativelyfrequentvisitinghabitsofthe middle-agedandelderlypopulationInthegroupsthatvisitquarterly,annually,or rarely,thedifferencesinoccupationaldistributionwereminimal
Figure19Respondents’visitfrequencyandoccupationSource:Author
Amongthe216validresponses,51.39%ofvisitorsselectedLeisureand Relaxation,whichissignificantlyhigherthanthesecondandthirdmostchosen options:FoodTasting(34.72%)andSightseeing(33.33%).Fewerrespondents choseCulturalExperienceandShopping.
Thisindicatesthatmanyvisitorsdidnothaveaspecificpurposefortheir visit,butinsteadcametotakeawalkandenjoysomephysicalandmental relaxation.Nearlyone-thirdofrespondentsselectedFoodTastingandSightseeing, reflectingthearea'sconsiderableappealintermsofbothcuisineandscenery.
Figure20.Respondents’visitpurposes.Source:Author.
Table5SurveyResultsonIssuesWithintheBlockSource:Author
Regardingthecausesofcommercialhomogenisationwithintheblock,the topthreeresponseswere:lackofexplorationandpromotionoflocalcultural characteristics(37.04%),businessesprioritisingshort-termprofitsovercultural uniqueness(36.57%),anddistrictmanagementlackingguidanceoncommercial businessformats(36.11%).Thesimilarproportionssuggestthatcommercial homogenisationresultsfromthecombinedinfluenceofbusinesspractices, managementoversight,andinsufficientculturaldevelopment.
Table6.SurveyResultsontheCausesofCommercialHomogenization. Source:Author
Accordingtothequestionnaireresults,theleadingcausesofenvironmental hygieneissuesareinadequatewastedisposalfacilities,visitorpressure,and management-relatedproblems.Amongthem,43.98%ofrespondentsidentified insufficientwastefacilitiesastheprimaryissue,whichissignificantlyhigherthan theotheroptions.Thissuggeststhatshortcomingsinbasicinfrastructureareakey challenge.
Table7.SurveyResultsontheReasonsforPoorEnvironmentalHygieneConditions. Source:Author
Regardingthereasonsfortheinsufficientculturalpresentationintheblock, 38.89%ofrespondentsattributedittotheculturalpresentationbeingtoo simplisticandlackinginteractivity,while34.72%pointedtoaLackofasystematic culturalpresentationplananddesign.Additionally,32.87%believedthecausewas Insufficientexplorationandutilisationofculturalresourcesbydistrict
management.Thesethreereasonswerecitedmostfrequentlyandhadrelatively similarproportions.
Table8.SurveyResultsontheReasonsforInsufficientCulturalPresentation. Source:Author.
Regardingthereasonsforageingbuildings,nearlyhalfoftherespondents (4815%)identifiedLackofregularmaintenanceandrestorationastheprimary cause,followedbyManagementresponsibilityat3519%Bothweresignificantly higherthantheotheroptionsInsufficientfunding(2269%)andResidentsand businesseshaveweakawarenessofbuildingpreservation(213%)hadsimilar proportionsbutwereconsideredrelativelylesssignificant
Table9SurveyResultsontheReasonsforAgeingBuildingsSource:Author
Thedatashowthat4074%ofrespondentsidentified'Lackofunified planninganddesign'asthecoreissue,while3102%pointedto'Insufficient regulationofspaceutilisationbydistrictmanagement'Together,thesetwo accountedforover70%ofresponsesBusinessesandresidentsoccupypublic spacesarbitrarily(2917%),andHistoricallegacyissuesmakeitdifficulttoadjust thespatiallayout(2778%),whichhavesimilarproportions
Table10SurveyResultsontheReasonsfortheDisorganisedSpatialLayout Source:Author.
Inresponsetothequestion“Whatareyoursuggestionsforthefuture developmentoftheFurongStreet–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock?”,
respondentsexpressedawiderangeofopinions.Ihavecompiledandorganised severalrepresentativeresponsesasfollows:
“Moreculturalexperienceactivitiesshouldbeorganisedtoencouragemore citizensandtouriststovisittheFurongStreet–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCultural Block.Thestreetshouldreceivegreaterattention,asitrepresentsJinan’simageas atouristdestination.Morefundingandeffortshouldbeinvestedinits improvement.”
“Thereisnoneedtoimitateothercitiesbydemolishingandrebuilding blindlySuchpracticeshavebecomedullTrulyclassiccharmliesinpreserving existinghistoricbuildings”
“ItwouldbeniceiftheblockcouldreflectmoreofJinan’suniquecharacter Forexample,eachancientbuildinginBaihuazhoucouldbegivenitsowndistinct identity”
“Ihopetheblockcanstrengthenitspublicityandoffermoremeaningful eventstoresidents,suchasin-depthworkshopsonintangibleculturalheritage crafts,guidedtoursexploringspringwatercultureandhistory,lanternfestivalsin spring,orcyclingexperiencesinsummer.”
“Asalong-timeJinanresident,Isincerelyhopethatmorepeoplewillpay attentiontorestoringtheFurongStreet–BaihuazhouHistoricalandCulturalBlock. Ialsosuggestthattherelevantauthoritiessetupasuggestionboxforpublic feedbacksothatproblemscanbeaddressedprogressively.”
Intermsofcommunityparticipation,Singapore'sbuildingconservation workisalsoefficient,whichemphasisesthebroadparticipationofresidentsand communities.TakingtheChinatownareainSingaporeasanexample,intheearly stagesofprotection,itwasnotunderstoodorevenopposedbyresidents.However, throughvariousdemonstrationrestorationprojects,aswellasongoingcommunity participationandpubliceducation,positiveresultshavebeenachieved.
Oneofthemostrepresentativeis"MyCommunity"15,anorganisation foundedinSingapore,whichbelievesthat"everycommunityhasastorytotell."It allowscommunityresidentstosharetheircommunitystoriesandmemories throughcommunityTours,interactivefestivals,heritagegalleries,andotherforms Thisapproachcentresoncommunityresidentsastheprimaryfocus,whichnot onlyenhancespeople'sculturalidentitybutalsobooststhecommunity'svitality Through"MyCommunity"eventssuchasthe"heritagecorner"atMeridian PrimarySchoolandthe"communityfestivals"inQueenstown,engagecommunities andcitizens,andbecomeavoluntarypartofheritagepreservationand dissemination.Thismodelisworthlearningforothercommunities.
15.MyCommunity,“AboutMyCommunity,”accessedMarch27,2025, https://mycommunity.org.sg/.
Figure22.HeritageCorneratMeridianPrimarySchool.
Source:MyCommunity,“MeridianPrimarySchoolHeritageCorner,” https://mycommunityorgsg/case-study/meridian-primary-schoolheritage-corner/
Eachcommunityhasitsownuniquestory,whichisoftenderivedfromthe residentswhooncelivedthereThesameholdsfortheBaihuazhoublockWiththe developmentofsocietyandthecontinuousimprovementofcitizens'living conditions,manyresidentsofBaihuazhouhaverelocatedfromtheirhomesto high-risebuildings.Duringthefieldvisit,anoldermantoldmethatinthepast, manyfamiliessharedayardwithotherfamilies,andevensharedakitchen. However,thiscloseneighbourhoodrelationshiphasgraduallydisappearedas residentsmovedaway,andithasbecomeamemoryofthecommunity.
Theconservationofaneighbourhoodrequiresnotonlythesupportof policies,butalsotheparticipationofthecommunity.Inthefuture,itisworth consideringhowtogathercurrentandformerresidentstogethermorereasonably
andattractively,sothatmorepeoplecancontributetotheconservationand developmentoftheentireblock.
