Visual heritage in urban spaces: Traditional Chinese patterns as agents of cultural identity in modern landscape architecture

Rapid urbanization has often led to the erosion of cultural identity in cities, making the integration of traditional Chinese patterns into contemporary landscape architecture an important means of sustaining heritage and symbolism within modern urban spaces. This article investigates the integration of traditional Chinese patterns into contemporary landscape design, emphasizing the importance of preserving cultural traces within urban environments. A convergent parallel mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (case studies, interviews, and visual analysis) data collection. Survey results highlighted how people perceive cultural identity and esthetic value, while case studies and interviews provided insights into the symbolic and design purposes of traditional patterns in urban contexts. Evidence shows that traditional forms, such as geometric motifs, lotus flowers, and feng shui principles, play a major role in reinforcing cultural identity and strengthening the sense of place amid contemporary urbanization. These practices have been widely embraced by society, fostering stronger connections to cultural heritage and contributing to the creation of esthetically pleasing and functional urban spaces.