Understanding the Street Layout of Melbourne’s Chinatown as an Urban Heritage Precinct in a Grid System Using Space Syntax Methods and Field Observation

Shiran Geng (), Hing-Wah Chau, Elmira Jamei and Zora Vrcelj
Additional contact information
Shiran Geng: College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
Hing-Wah Chau: College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
Elmira Jamei: College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
Zora Vrcelj: College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: Melbourne’s Chinatown is the oldest in Australia. A large amount of research on this unique ethnic enclave has been conducted to elucidate its formation history, heritage significance, cultural influence and architectural features. However, the discussion of the precinct’s spatial characteristics remains mostly marginalised. As a heritage precinct in the centre of an urban grid form, the precinct offers a unique spatial experience to its visitors. To better fathom the street layout of the area, three objectives are addressed in this study, including understanding: (1) the precinct’s street network in the grid system, (2) the visibility relationship within the precinct and (3) the relationship between buildings and streets. A joint methodology framework is established to fulfil the research objectives by incorporating space syntax methods and field observation. The findings facilitate policymakers and planners in understanding the precinct’s unique street layout and making relevant preservation decisions. Further studies are encouraged to scrutinise other spatial and urban characteristics of the precinct and test the proposed methodology.

Keywords: urban heritage; heritage conservation; space syntax; urban morphology; Chinatown; spatial analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/19/12701/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/19/12701/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12701-:d:934579

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().