Toward the Sustainable Development of the Old Community: Proposing a Conceptual Framework Based on Meaning Change for Space Redesign of Old Communities and Conducting Design Practices

Abstract

An increasing number of old communities are experiencing deterioration in their living environments, which negatively affects the sustainability of the urban environment. Many cities have tried to solve the above problems through reconstruction or micro-renovation, but the result is unsatisfactory. Social change has led to a shift in the meaning of community, so the space transformation of the old community cannot be carried out simply by increasing the function and beautifying the environment. To achieve sustainable development of the old community, we should recreate the contemporary meaning of the old community. This paper aims to innovate urban design approaches and promote sustainable urban development in its environmental, ecological, and cultural dimensions through the reinvention of vitality and contemporary values of built community spaces. Based on the theory of meaning change, this paper constructs a conceptual framework for the reinvention of space in the old community. In the case study of a block in Rongxiang, Wuxi, we verify the framework’s effectiveness and build spaces more in line with people’s lifestyles in the new era. Based on the study, we conclude that meaning change is the key to achieving sustainable development of old community spaces. The framework can provide a new reference for solving the social problems of aging urban space and achieving sustainable development of the urban environment.