TITLE:
Revitalization and Renovation: Design Practices of Qingchuan Qingxi Ancient Town
AUTHORS:
Xin Geng, Feihu Chen
KEYWORDS:
Qingxi Ancient Town, Restoration and Renovation, Prototype, Design Strategy, Design Experience
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.12,
December
26,
2023
ABSTRACT: Located in Qingchuan County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan
Province, the ancient town of Qingxi has a history of over 1700 years.
Originally constructed for military purposes due to its strategic location, the
town’s historical significance remains relatively unknown today. Throughout the
changing times and multiple earthquakes that have struck Sichuan, this
thousand-year-old town has been left nearly paralyzed. However, in recent
years, with the support of the Chinese government’s “Rural Revitalization
Strategy,” a comprehensive restoration plan has been devised to revive the old
town, utilizing its rich historical heritage as a foundation for spatial and
aesthetic renewal. The ultimate goal is to revive the town, boost the local
economy through cultural and tourism industries, and preserve its historical and
cultural legacy. This paper presents a real-life case study, introducing the
prototype theory and examining three key aspects: the initial analysis at the
outset of the renovation, the design strategies employed during the restoration
process, and a reflection on the design choices made post-renovation. The aim
is to merge the town’s historical heritage with the aesthetic characteristics
of the present era, resulting in a rejuvenated ancient town that embodies the
local essence of Beichuan. Additionally, this case study seeks to share
valuable design experiences and ideas, providing a realistic example for
reference in the restoration and design of traditional towns.