This study examines urban orientalism in Jinan, Shandong, China, focusing on its intersection with informal urban spaces. Urban orientalism, a concept rooted in Edward Said’s seminal work, describes the tendency of Western observers to romanticize and portray non-Western cities as exotic. Jinan, undergoing rapid expansion, reflects a complex relationship between urban orientalism and informal settlements, influencing both the city’s physical landscape and social dynamics. The research explores how perceptions of Jinan’s “Oriental” identity shape policies, urban development strategies, and the lived experiences of its residents. Through a multidisciplinary approach integrating urban studies, cultural geography, and anthropology, this study analyzes the spatial distribution of informal settlements, their evolution over time, and the socioeconomic factors contributing to their persistence. In addition, it considers how local and global urban imaginaries shape views on informality and inform policy decisions impacting urban development. Drawing on empirical data from fieldwork, interviews, and archival research, this study aims to deepen understanding of urban orientalism as a multifaceted phenomenon with tangible implications for urban governance and spatial equity. Addressing these biases through more inclusive urban planning strategies is crucial for fostering equity and acknowledging diverse urban experiences.

Since the late 1990s, heritage reuse for cultural purposes has become a widespread phenomenon in major Chinese cities. Heritage-led projects aim to foster the development of new urban functions, transforming historical spaces into magnets for leisure and tourism. These government-led projects often attract local entrepreneurs, who capitalize on heritage settings as a breeding ground for new activities, such as design galleries, art and craft stores, cafés, gourmet restaurants, and microbreweries. Tianjin, a city 120 km south of Beijing, has embraced this trend by implementing ambitious projects to preserve and enhance its former Western concessions (19^th – 20^th centuries). While the “creative” use of heritage is a common feature of both Western and Chinese cities, Tianjin presents a particularly compelling case due to the dissonant nature of its former concession heritage. This article analyzes the relationship between creative (re)uses of heritage and cultural tourism in Tianjin’s former Western concessions. Specifically, it questions the influence of the re-functionalization of historical buildings in the former concessions, mainly for leisure and tourism purposes, on their recognition as heritage. To address this, the study draws on four case studies in Tianjin’s former Western concessions, employing qualitative data collected through participatory and non-participatory observations, thematic analysis of institutional documents, and semi-structured interviews with officials and local stakeholders. The findings highlight how creative uses of heritage could enhance tourism experiences and contribute to economic and cultural revitalization. These practices might foster a deeper engagement with the past while supporting sustainable tourism development.

In recent years, the relationship between tourism and locality has garnered significant scholarly attention; however, few studies have analyzed a single tourist destination by integrating multiple locality-related concepts. This article examines the historical town of Lizhuang, Sichuan, China, as a case study, employing a research methodology that combines in-depth interviews and virtual ethnography. The concepts of “locality,” “placelessness,” and “relocalization” are utilized to elucidate how Lizhuang retains its sense of locality amid tourism development. In addition, the current study analyzes the strategies implemented in Lizhuang to preserve its locality and counteract the forces of placelessness and relocalization resulting from tourism expansion. The findings indicate that capital authority, local culture excavation, and the role of daily life form a three-pronged structure shaping Lizhuang’s locality in the context of tourism. Furthermore, architectural homogenization, inauthentic attitudes, mass media influences, and the role of community education and atmosphere are identified as key factors contributing to placelessness in Lizhuang. Finally, the study discusses the current relocalization measures undertaken by Lizhuang’s local authorities. This article contributes to the theoretical discourse on localization in tourism studies in historical towns and enriches empirical research by providing insights from the case of Lizhuang’s historical town. The findings offer valuable local experiences for guiding localization efforts in tourism development within historical towns.

Village revitalization has garnered significant attention in urbanized regions such as Hong Kong, where researchers and practitioners are actively responding to the rural revitalization movement inspired by China’s policies to enhance agricultural activities, preserve cultural heritage, and stimulate economic development. This article examines the historical, cultural, and ecological significance of Shui Hau village, a coastal farming, and rural–urban community, alongside the implementation of novel village regeneration initiatives proposed by the authors. The primary aim is to illustrate the mechanisms behind these initiatives, explore the dynamics between stakeholders and researchers, and analyze the dual role of researchers as both trusted outsiders and effective collaborators. These insights are intended to inform future practices and recommend context-specific policy changes. Adopting a case study approach, this article contributes to the growing body of qualitative rural studies in the wider Asian context. Challenges relevant to village regeneration, including land boundaries, the Small House Policy, and planning and conservation regulations under the existing legal framework, are documented. As part of a broader action research initiative, three government-funded projects were proposed and implemented to revitalize cultural values: (i) Rediscovering traditions and rituals through tactical interventions, (ii) restoring the grain store as a farming cooperative, and (iii) transforming the stone house into a living culture cooperative. This retrospective review reveals key dynamics and discrepancies, including intricate land ownership issues, unspecific regulations, loose governance, and mismatches between expectations and actual outcomes. From a practitioner’s perspective, systemic changes at multiple levels are recommended to better engage stakeholders and facilitate more effective countryside regeneration.

Tangwei village, located in Dongguan’s rapidly urbanizing Pearl River Delta region, Guangdong, illustrates the challenges and opportunities of balancing heritage preservation with rural revitalization in contemporary China. Designated as a major cultural heritage site in 2006, the village’s preservation strategies reflect the interplay between provincial policies, local government planning, and a broader national emphasis on tourism-driven economic development. This research examines how government-led rural heritage revitalization initiatives shape cultural preservation in Tangwei village. By analyzing this historic village – designated as a Major Cultural Heritage Site under National-level Protection in 2006 – the study reveals how local authorities strategically leverage cultural symbols and heritage practices to promote tourism development, often in ways disconnected from authentic community traditions. The findings demonstrate that while heritage tourism initiatives aim to enhance the village’s visibility and economic group, their top-down implementation primarily serves government economic objectives rather than addressing community preservation needs. Drawing on fieldwork, visual documentation, oral histories, and textual analysis, the study illuminates the complex dynamics between local governance, tourism development imperatives, and rural heritage preservation in contemporary China. It underscores how traditional cultural practices are increasingly commodified and detached from local communities through standardized festivals and artistic interventions. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how state-driven rural revitalization policies reshape heritage landscapes and alter community relationships with traditional spaces in rapidly urbanizing regions.

In Cambodia, Phnom Penh’s architectural history reflects a complex interplay of local mythology, trade networks, and colonial influence. Since the pre-Angkorian period, it has undergone significant transformations shaped by cultural, economic, and political forces. Notably, the contributions of Chinese mercantile communities and the impact of French colonial urban planning played a pivotal role in these changes. This paper examines the architectural evolution of Phnom Penh’s shophouse typology, tracing its development from pre-colonial trade settlements to its contemporary manifestations in satellite cities. The Chinese merchant shophouse, introduced in the 19^th century, played a pivotal role in shaping Phnom Penh’s urban fabric, blending Chinese, Khmer, and later French influences. During the French colonial period (1863 – 1953), the shophouse evolved into hybrid forms, integrating French design elements while maintaining its traditional mixed-use functionality. Post-independence, the shophouse further adapted to modernist architectural principles, influenced by Soviet urban planning, giving rise to larger multi-story blocks that accommodated increasing urban density. In the post-war era, the shophouse re-emerged as a key component in peri-urban expansion and satellite city development, reflecting Phnom Penh’s rapid economic and urban growth. Its adaptability to technological, economic, and social changes underscores its continued relevance in shaping Phnom Penh’s urban landscape. Through fieldwork and literature review, this study provides a typological analysis of shophouse variations, exploring their role in defining the city’s architectural identity. The findings highlight the shophouse’s resilience as an adaptable urban form, preserving architectural traditions while responding to modern urban challenges.

Steel plate shear walls are among the most promising lateral load-resisting systems. However, a major drawback of this system is that the thin steel plate infill is susceptible to buckling under its own weight or when exposed to seismic loads. To solve this problem, stiffeners are effectively employed. In this study, steel plate shear wall models incorporating perpendicular and horizontal cross-shaped and circular configurations were investigated. Finite element models of frame structures, comprising steel plate infill along with adjacent beams and columns, were developed in ANSYS and validated against experimental data from the scholarly literature. The numerical model demonstrated excellent agreement with published experimental results. After confirming model accuracy and material suitability, a series of 3-span, 5-story frame models, was generated to evaluate the effects of stiffener quantity (0, 2, 3, and 4) and configuration. To this end, pushover analyses were performed, and the resulting capacity curves were plotted. These curves were subsequently idealized following Federal Emergency Management Agency recommendations, and seismic parameters – including ductility factor, response modification factor, stiffness, and shear capacity – were thoroughly examined. In addition, cyclic loading analyses were performed by applying incremental displacements at the roof level, and the corresponding energy dissipation capacities were determined. The results indicate that steel plate shear walls with circular reinforcements exhibit a ductility factor of 29.41, whereas those with cross-shaped stiffeners have a ductility factor of 17.10, indicating the superior ductility performance of circular stiffeners. However, cross-shaped stiffeners outperform circular stiffeners in terms of shear capacity, reaching 5,815 kN compared to 4,020 kN. In addition, the highest stiffness value (921.5 kN/mm) was observed in the hybrid model incorporating both cross and circular stiffeners. Optimization analysis revealed that four perpendicular circular stiffeners yield the maximum energy dissipation capacity, while three circular stiffeners optimize ductility, response modification factor, and shear strength.

The management of cultural heritage in tourism is fundamental to ensuring the efficient use of natural, archeological, and cultural resources in a region’s tourism development. This study aims to evaluate residents’ perceptions of the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism development in Uchuraccay, Ayacucho, Peru. A questionnaire was administered to 520 residents, assessing the cultural heritage variable, which includes tangible heritage and intangible heritage, and the tourism development variable, which encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The results indicate that 38.65% of respondents believe tangible heritage faces difficulties in being properly valued due to a lack of public awareness, insufficient investment in conservation, and ineffective promotion. In addition, 40.96% of respondents perceive that intangible heritage is inadequately managed, citing the absence of effective policies and strategies to safeguard and transmit these elements to future generations. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive assessment of cultural heritage to boost economic development through the implementation of tourism strategies that stimulate economic activity. This study provides valuable information on urban planning, governance frameworks, and empirical knowledge, contributing to informed decision-making by local authorities and the effective management of available resources.

The present study examines land use pattern changes from a food security perspective. In this study, Landsat series satellite images were classified using R software, applying two different classification methods: Neural network and random forest. These methods were applied to satellite images from five different years – 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020. The findings indicate a growing trend in Garden City development, driven by the conversion of barren lands and pastures into gardens and arboretums. This transformation can have both potential positive and negative impacts on the region’s physical and environmental indicators. In addition, the expansion of urban and industrial spaces has been one of the primary causes of natural vegetation loss. Furthermore, an analysis of land cover changes from 2000 to 2020 using IDRISI TerrSet software revealed that a significant portion of barren land was converted into tree plantation. This shift is in line with the expansion of Garden City activities in the studied area, particularly in the past decade.

Traditional courtyard houses in China—particularly in regions such as Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Henan, and Sichuan—represent vernacular architectural responses to local climatic conditions. As sustainable residential design gains momentum, especially in hot temperate climates, there is growing interest in how these traditional spatial configurations can inform contemporary strategies for natural ventilation and thermal comfort. This study investigates the potential of courtyard design, spatial configuration, and building geometry to regulate airflow, energy, and indoor thermal comfort in residential buildings. A combination of field measurements, case studies, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations was employed to systematically assess the key factors influencing ventilation performance in courtyard-style buildings. The results underscore the importance of spatial disposition—particularly the orientation of openings and courtyards relative to prevailing wind patterns. Greater courtyard width and length, when paired with windward openings, were proven to significantly enhance wind flow. Increased building height also contributed positively to stack ventilation; however, improper vertical proportions may hamper air movement at lower levels. These findings underscore the need for height optimization based on functional airflow patterns rather than aesthetic preference alone. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of correlating CFD models with empirical field data to ensure accuracy in real-world scenarios, accounting for elements such as surrounding vegetation and adjacent structures. These insights offer valuable guidance for architects and urban planners seeking climate-adaptive design solutions in residential architecture. Ultimately, this research contributes to a framework for improving thermal comfort and energy efficiency in regions with comparable environmental climates.

Urban resilience is fundamental for cities to adapt and recover from challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and rapid urbanization. This study conducts a systematic review to examine the intersection between urban resilience and civil engineering, applying the PRISMA methodology to analyze recent contributions to the field. The research focuses on studies published between 2014 and 2024, targeting four key areas of civil engineering: water resources, underground structures, transportation, and electricity systems. To assess urban infrastructure strategies and identify gaps in the literature, the study employs ISO 37,123 resilience indicators. The results reveal that while 31.2% of the analyzed studies address resilient infrastructure, significant gaps persist in specific fields, particularly underground constructions and electricity systems. These areas are critical for urban functionality during disasters but remain underexplored in the existing body of research. The findings underscore the need for multidisciplinary approaches and investments in innovative technologies to address these deficiencies. Furthermore, the integration of nature-based solutions, such as green infrastructure, emerges as an essential strategy for enhancing urban resilience. This review also identifies geographical disparities in research representation, with regions such as South America and Africa being underrepresented. In contrast, China stands out for advancements in renewable energy and sustainable urban planning, despite facing significant environmental challenges. The study emphasizes the importance of aligning resilience strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 13 (climate action). By providing actionable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and civil engineers, this study contributes to the advancement of resilient and sustainable infrastructure. It advocates for the adoption of ISO 37123 as a framework for evaluating and improving urban resilience, fostering inclusive and efficient strategies to address the complex challenges of urbanization.

With rapid urbanization, children’s play spaces in Chinese parks face challenges related to functional monotony and a lack of cultural expression. This study examines heritage parks in Xi’an, one of China’s most historically significant cities, as case studies. Using a mixed-methods research approach and the 7Cs framework, we systematically evaluate these spaces to assess their effectiveness in meeting cultural and functional needs. The findings highlight several key shortcomings in current designs. First, an imbalance between static cultural displays and dynamic interactive elements limits children’s engagement and cultural immersion. Second, a lack of exploratory and challenging activities fails to meet the developmental demands of older children. Third, weak user participation mechanisms and inadequate feedback systems contribute to a misalignment between design intentions and actual user needs. To address these challenges, this article proposes integrating dynamic and interactive cultural displays, introducing multi-level exploratory and challenging features to accommodate diverse age groups, and enhancing user engagement and feedback systems throughout the design process. These recommendations aim to balance cultural preservation with modern usability, providing both theoretical insights and practical foundations for improving children’s play spaces in heritage parks while inspiring similar global efforts.