Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an

Zhang Yilin; Wu Gaozhao; Liu Dejia

doi:doi:10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13

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Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an

Zhang Yilin^*, Wu Gaozhao, Liu Dejia

Published in Urban and Regional Planning (Volume 10, Issue 3)

Received: 9 July 2025 Accepted: 31 July 2025 Published: 8 August 2025

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Abstract

China's urbanization has transitioned into a phase characterized by stock revitalization and quality enhancement, wherein the concept of "urban regeneration and ecological restoration" (dual rehabilitation) serves as a pivotal strategy for mitigating accumulated urban challenges. As this paradigm evolves, conventional "demolition-led" renewal models prove increasingly inadequate for historic districts, failing to accommodate their intrinsic spatial heterogeneity and cultural continuity requirements. Consequently, the exploration of innovative revitalization approaches has become an urgent imperative. Such districts universally confront multifaceted issues including severe shortages of public spaces, fragmented cultural legacies, and significantly diminished socioeconomic vitality. To address these systemic deficiencies, this study proposes enhancing the resilience of historic districts through three critical dimensions: spatial restructuring, functional reprogramming, and temporal adaptability. By innovatively integrating "modular intervention" methodology with "resilient urban renewal" frameworks, the research establishes an adaptive, low-intervention, and self-sustaining revitalization pathway. This approach specifically synthesizes resilient urban development theory with modular landscape facility design principles, aligning with dual-repair objectives. Empirical validation via the Erdao Street case study in Yan'an demonstrates the superior contextual adaptability of modular systems - which employ prefabricated, reconfigurable units to minimize site disturbance while activating underutilized spaces. The resultant revitalization model demonstrated enhanced community engagement and measurable vitality recovery during implementation. This integrated framework advances a replicable theoretical-practical paradigm for reconciling heritage conservation with contemporary urban resilience demands.

Published in	Urban and Regional Planning (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13
Page(s)	122-131
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Historic District, Resilient Renewal, Modular Landscape, Urban Repair, Micro-insertion

References

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[3]	Marcus, L., & Colding, J. (2023). Placing urban renewal in the context of the resilience adaptive cycle. Land, 13(1), 8.
[4]	Ren, M., & Chai, N. (2025). Resilience Renewal Design Strategy for Aging Communities in Traditional Historical and Cultural Districts: Reflections on the Practice of the Sizhou’an Community in China. Buildings, 15(6), 965.
[5]	Guo Cheng. (2019). Research on the Formation and Development of Elastic Design. Huazhong jianzhu, 37 (01) and 20 to 24. [in Chinese] https://doi.org/10.13942/j.carolcarrollnkiHZJZ. 2019.01.006
[6]	Mehaffy, M. W., Porta, S., & Romice, O. (2015). The “neighbourhood unit” on trial: A case study in the impacts of urban morphology. Journal of Urbanism, 8(2), 199-217.
[7]	Tseng, M. M., Wang, Y., & Jiao, R. J. (2018). Modular design. In CIRP encyclopedia of production engineering (pp. 1-10). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
[8]	Ahern, J. (2011). From fail-safe to safe-to-fail: Sustainability and resilience in the new urban world. Landscape and Urban Planning, 100(4), 341-343.
[9]	Roggema, R. (2014). Towards enhanced resilience in city design: a proposition. Land, 3(2), 460-481.
[10]	Sharifi, A., & Yamagata, Y. (2016). Principles and criteria for assessing urban energy resilience: A literature review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 60, 1654-1677.
[11]	Bruntland, G. (1987). Our common future. The world commission on environment 1 and development, 45-65.
[12]	Willis, H. H., & Loa, K. (2015). Measuring the resilience of energy distribution systems (p. 38). Santa Monica, CA, USA: Rand Corporation.
[13]	Ye Lu, Wang Liang & Wang Chang. (2017). "Micro-updating" of Historical and Cultural Blocks: A Design Study of the Santiaoying Plot in Laomen East, Nanjing. jianzhuxuebao, (04), 82-86. [in Chinese]
[14]	Liu Zongming. (2012). Analysis of Product Growth-oriented Design. Zhuangshi, (6), 104-105. [in Chinese] The https://doi.org/10.16272/j.carolcarrollnkicn11-1392/j.2012.06.039
[15]	Keiner-Presov, N. Strategies for the Renewal of Urban Housing: Evaluation from the Perspective of Social Fairness. Ph.D. Dissertation, Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, Haufa, Israel, 2017. (In Hebrew).

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APA Style

Yilin, Z., Gaozhao, W., Dejia, L. (2025). Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an. Urban and Regional Planning, 10(3), 122-131. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13

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ACS Style

Yilin, Z.; Gaozhao, W.; Dejia, L. Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an. Urban Reg. Plan. 2025, 10(3), 122-131. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13

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AMA Style

Yilin Z, Gaozhao W, Dejia L. Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an. Urban Reg Plan. 2025;10(3):122-131. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13

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@article{10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13,
  author = {Zhang Yilin and Wu Gaozhao and Liu Dejia},
  title = {Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an
},
  journal = {Urban and Regional Planning},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {122-131},
  doi = {10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.urp.20251003.13},
  abstract = {China's urbanization has transitioned into a phase characterized by stock revitalization and quality enhancement, wherein the concept of "urban regeneration and ecological restoration" (dual rehabilitation) serves as a pivotal strategy for mitigating accumulated urban challenges. As this paradigm evolves, conventional "demolition-led" renewal models prove increasingly inadequate for historic districts, failing to accommodate their intrinsic spatial heterogeneity and cultural continuity requirements. Consequently, the exploration of innovative revitalization approaches has become an urgent imperative. Such districts universally confront multifaceted issues including severe shortages of public spaces, fragmented cultural legacies, and significantly diminished socioeconomic vitality. To address these systemic deficiencies, this study proposes enhancing the resilience of historic districts through three critical dimensions: spatial restructuring, functional reprogramming, and temporal adaptability. By innovatively integrating "modular intervention" methodology with "resilient urban renewal" frameworks, the research establishes an adaptive, low-intervention, and self-sustaining revitalization pathway. This approach specifically synthesizes resilient urban development theory with modular landscape facility design principles, aligning with dual-repair objectives. Empirical validation via the Erdao Street case study in Yan'an demonstrates the superior contextual adaptability of modular systems - which employ prefabricated, reconfigurable units to minimize site disturbance while activating underutilized spaces. The resultant revitalization model demonstrated enhanced community engagement and measurable vitality recovery during implementation. This integrated framework advances a replicable theoretical-practical paradigm for reconciling heritage conservation with contemporary urban resilience demands.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an

AU  - Zhang Yilin
AU  - Wu Gaozhao
AU  - Liu Dejia
Y1  - 2025/08/08
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13
T2  - Urban and Regional Planning
JF  - Urban and Regional Planning
JO  - Urban and Regional Planning
SP  - 122
EP  - 131
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1697
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13
AB  - China's urbanization has transitioned into a phase characterized by stock revitalization and quality enhancement, wherein the concept of "urban regeneration and ecological restoration" (dual rehabilitation) serves as a pivotal strategy for mitigating accumulated urban challenges. As this paradigm evolves, conventional "demolition-led" renewal models prove increasingly inadequate for historic districts, failing to accommodate their intrinsic spatial heterogeneity and cultural continuity requirements. Consequently, the exploration of innovative revitalization approaches has become an urgent imperative. Such districts universally confront multifaceted issues including severe shortages of public spaces, fragmented cultural legacies, and significantly diminished socioeconomic vitality. To address these systemic deficiencies, this study proposes enhancing the resilience of historic districts through three critical dimensions: spatial restructuring, functional reprogramming, and temporal adaptability. By innovatively integrating "modular intervention" methodology with "resilient urban renewal" frameworks, the research establishes an adaptive, low-intervention, and self-sustaining revitalization pathway. This approach specifically synthesizes resilient urban development theory with modular landscape facility design principles, aligning with dual-repair objectives. Empirical validation via the Erdao Street case study in Yan'an demonstrates the superior contextual adaptability of modular systems - which employ prefabricated, reconfigurable units to minimize site disturbance while activating underutilized spaces. The resultant revitalization model demonstrated enhanced community engagement and measurable vitality recovery during implementation. This integrated framework advances a replicable theoretical-practical paradigm for reconciling heritage conservation with contemporary urban resilience demands.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Zhang Yilin

Huaxia Architectural Design Institute, China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute, Xi'an, China

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Wu Gaozhao

College of Art, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
Liu Dejia

Huaxia Architectural Design Institute, China Northwest Architecture Design and Research Institute, Xi'an, China

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APA Style

Yilin, Z., Gaozhao, W., Dejia, L. (2025). Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an. Urban and Regional Planning, 10(3), 122-131. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13

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ACS Style

Yilin, Z.; Gaozhao, W.; Dejia, L. Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an. Urban Reg. Plan. 2025, 10(3), 122-131. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13

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AMA Style

Yilin Z, Gaozhao W, Dejia L. Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an. Urban Reg Plan. 2025;10(3):122-131. doi: 10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13

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@article{10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13,
  author = {Zhang Yilin and Wu Gaozhao and Liu Dejia},
  title = {Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an
},
  journal = {Urban and Regional Planning},
  volume = {10},
  number = {3},
  pages = {122-131},
  doi = {10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.urp.20251003.13},
  abstract = {China's urbanization has transitioned into a phase characterized by stock revitalization and quality enhancement, wherein the concept of "urban regeneration and ecological restoration" (dual rehabilitation) serves as a pivotal strategy for mitigating accumulated urban challenges. As this paradigm evolves, conventional "demolition-led" renewal models prove increasingly inadequate for historic districts, failing to accommodate their intrinsic spatial heterogeneity and cultural continuity requirements. Consequently, the exploration of innovative revitalization approaches has become an urgent imperative. Such districts universally confront multifaceted issues including severe shortages of public spaces, fragmented cultural legacies, and significantly diminished socioeconomic vitality. To address these systemic deficiencies, this study proposes enhancing the resilience of historic districts through three critical dimensions: spatial restructuring, functional reprogramming, and temporal adaptability. By innovatively integrating "modular intervention" methodology with "resilient urban renewal" frameworks, the research establishes an adaptive, low-intervention, and self-sustaining revitalization pathway. This approach specifically synthesizes resilient urban development theory with modular landscape facility design principles, aligning with dual-repair objectives. Empirical validation via the Erdao Street case study in Yan'an demonstrates the superior contextual adaptability of modular systems - which employ prefabricated, reconfigurable units to minimize site disturbance while activating underutilized spaces. The resultant revitalization model demonstrated enhanced community engagement and measurable vitality recovery during implementation. This integrated framework advances a replicable theoretical-practical paradigm for reconciling heritage conservation with contemporary urban resilience demands.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Modular Landscape Interventions for Resilient Urban Renewal in Historic Districts: A Study of Erdao Street, Yan'an

AU  - Zhang Yilin
AU  - Wu Gaozhao
AU  - Liu Dejia
Y1  - 2025/08/08
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13
T2  - Urban and Regional Planning
JF  - Urban and Regional Planning
JO  - Urban and Regional Planning
SP  - 122
EP  - 131
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1697
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.urp.20251003.13
AB  - China's urbanization has transitioned into a phase characterized by stock revitalization and quality enhancement, wherein the concept of "urban regeneration and ecological restoration" (dual rehabilitation) serves as a pivotal strategy for mitigating accumulated urban challenges. As this paradigm evolves, conventional "demolition-led" renewal models prove increasingly inadequate for historic districts, failing to accommodate their intrinsic spatial heterogeneity and cultural continuity requirements. Consequently, the exploration of innovative revitalization approaches has become an urgent imperative. Such districts universally confront multifaceted issues including severe shortages of public spaces, fragmented cultural legacies, and significantly diminished socioeconomic vitality. To address these systemic deficiencies, this study proposes enhancing the resilience of historic districts through three critical dimensions: spatial restructuring, functional reprogramming, and temporal adaptability. By innovatively integrating "modular intervention" methodology with "resilient urban renewal" frameworks, the research establishes an adaptive, low-intervention, and self-sustaining revitalization pathway. This approach specifically synthesizes resilient urban development theory with modular landscape facility design principles, aligning with dual-repair objectives. Empirical validation via the Erdao Street case study in Yan'an demonstrates the superior contextual adaptability of modular systems - which employ prefabricated, reconfigurable units to minimize site disturbance while activating underutilized spaces. The resultant revitalization model demonstrated enhanced community engagement and measurable vitality recovery during implementation. This integrated framework advances a replicable theoretical-practical paradigm for reconciling heritage conservation with contemporary urban resilience demands.
VL  - 10
IS  - 3
ER  -

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