The Adaptive Cycle of Spatial Form in Historic Blocks: A Case Study of the Hui-Fang Area in Xi'an

Abstract

The spatial form of historic blocks comprises multi-scale elements, and its evolutionary process is the result of residents" long-term adaptation to and coexistence with the external environment. This micro-level, dynamic, and complex system requires an interpretation grounded in theoretical frameworks that align more closely with real-world logic. This paper integrates Conzenian urban morphology, the adaptive cycle theory of social-ecological systems, and the complex adaptive system theory to develop a research framework for analyzing the morphological evolutionary characteristics, mechanisms, and pathways of historic blocks from a complex adaptive perspective. Taking the Hui-Fang area in Xi'an, a historic block, as an example, the paper employs quantitative methods, such as fractal dimension analysis and space syntax, to uncover both the complex external manifestations of the morphological system and the underlying adaptive cycle mechanisms of the agent system. Furthermore, it identifies three distinct adaptive evolutionary pathways of spatial form: unidirectional control, bidirectional guidance, and multi-level symbiosis. This research expands epistemological understandings of morphological evolution and provides theoretical support for the development of urban spaces in historic blocks that reflect regional cultural significance.