ANALYZING THE IMPACT OF SLOW-TRAFFIC NETWORK CONFIGURATION ON TOURIST EXPERIENCE AND COMMERCIAL VITALITY: A SPACE SYNTAX STUDY OF WUHAN’S HUBU LANE HISTORIC DISTRICT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i43.2094Keywords:
Space Syntax, Historic District, Pedestrian Network, Tourist Experience, Commercial VitalityAbstract
Based on the theory of Space Syntax, this study takes the Hubu Lane historic district in Wuhan as a case study. Through axial line analysis, spatial characteristics of the pedestrian and non motorized network were quantified, including connectivity (mean 2.84±1.70), integration (global mean 0.89±0.16), and intelligibility (R²=0.66). Combined with 401 tourist questionnaires, the impact of these spatial features on commercial vitality and tourist experience was examined. The results show that 62.58% of slow traffic routes near scenic entrances have a depth value between 5 and 10, indicating relatively poor accessibility. Areas with high integration (e.g., the intersection of Jiefang Road and Minzhu Road) show a significant correlation with shop density (r=0.42, p<0.05). Accordingly, recommendations such as adding wayfinding signage and improving the connectivity of branch roads are proposed.
Downloads
References
Aranburu, I., Plaza, B., & Esteban, M. (2016). Sustainable cultural tourism in urban destinations: Does space matter? Sustainability (Switzerland), 8(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su8080699
Chen, X., Kong, Y., Guo, Z., & Zhang, J. (2025). Spatial scaling effects analysis of existing historical streets in Chinese cities based on the Ping Ge type map—In case study of Quanzhou East‒West Street. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 14(2), 342–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOAR.2024.08.007
Gao, M., & Fang, C. (2025). Do urban park spatial features influence public emotional responses during jogging? Evidence from social media data. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 50, 100864. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JORT.2025.100864
Hillier, B., & Hanson, J. (1984). The Social Logic of Space. Cambridge University Press.
Hillier, B. (1985). The nature of the artificial: the contingent and the necessary in spatial form in architecture. Geoforum, 16(2), 163–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7185(85)90026-0
Jamhawi, M. M., Zidan, R. J., & Sherzad, M. F. (2023). Tourist Movement Patterns and the Effects of Spatial Configuration in a Cultural Heritage and Urban Destination: The Case of Madaba, Jordan. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021710
Lim, S. B., Razib, N. W. S. M., Mukhlis, I., Nasrudin, N., & Fitri, I. (2024). Urban regeneration and public space: Lessons on early intervention of community-based micro-planning. Planning Malaysia, 22(5), 96–110.
Lyu, Y., Abd Malek, M. I., Ja‘afar, N. H., Sima, Y., Han, Z., & Liu, Z. (2023). Unveiling the potential of space syntax approach for revitalizing historic urban areas: A case study of Yushan Historic District, China. Frontiers of Architectural Research, 12(6), 1144–1156. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOAR.2023.08.004
Niu, J., & Wang, J. (2025). Model checking spatial reachability specifications of public transport networks. Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory, 138, 103033. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.SIMPAT.2024.103033
Nophaket, N., Tirapas, C., & Songpetchmongkol, W. (2024). The Walking Bangkapi: Inclusive Pedestrian Network’s Integrated Design and Implementation Study on Bangkok’s Emerging Transportation District. Journal of Architectural/Planning Research and Studies (JARS), 21(2), 329–344. https://doi.org/10.56261/jars.v21.263103
Ramdlani, S., Supriyono, B., & Riniwati, H. (2025). Local-physical tourism amenities in Gubugklakah Village, based on space configuration. Planning Malaysia, 23(3), 153–164.
Rosetia, N. Z. H. A. (2025). Interventions for stability: Placemaking strategies for underused spaces in the historic mining district of Sawahlunto, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Planning Malaysia, 23(4), 336–351.
Yoshimura, Y., Yamaoka, K., & Santi, P. (2025). Quantifying tactical urbanism: Economic impact of short-term pedestrianization on retail establishments. Cities, 160, 105803. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CITIES.2025.105803
Zhang, L., Tian, F., Zheng, X., & Sun, Z. (2023). Spatial configuration of fire protection for historical streets in China using space syntax. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 59, 140–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CULHER.2022.11.014
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
Copyright & Creative Commons Licence
eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysian Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.
