The changing image of the city: Historic urban vista view analysis in the Old City of Beijing

Abstract

Vista view within the historic urban context is an important and vulnerable form of the visual landscape. Focussing on the changing image of vista views in the Old City of Beijing, this study was conducted in two parts: the historical reconstruction of initial views and the status assessment of current views. In the first part, we reconstruct the viewing points and objects of Ming and Qing Beijing through on-site surveys and historical material materials, derive viewing corridors and corresponding vista spaces through spatial modelling and GIS-based analysis, and formulate a quantitative classification framework according to viewing distances and angles. In the second part, we establish an evaluation framework for current views in terms of view components based on the principles of authenticity and integrity, filter existing views through integrity assessment, and analyse their authenticity in terms of position, character, and atmosphere. For the reconstruction results, 25 initial viewing points, 58 viewing objects, and 374 viewing corridors are identified; the quantities and spatial distribution characteristics of 7 types of initial images are obtained. For the assessment findings, 132 views have vanished due to the disappearance of 4 viewing points and 18 viewing objects; the existing 242 views generally have good authenticity, and the most intact and authentic types are ‘Tiao’, ‘Xi’, and ‘Kan’. This study provides a reference for the renewal and conservation of historical and traditional settlements.