An analytical study of Chinese urban cemeteries based on urban morphology and spatial vitality: Case studies in Nanjing

Under the dual influences of traditional Life-Death views and four decades of urban expansion, urban cemeteries, as unique elements of urban form, have transformed, inevitably impacting land planning and functional layouts. These spaces have been inadequately addressed, especially in stock-based renewal where land scarcity intensifies conflicts between burial needs and urban development. This study focuses on three in-situ retained urban cemeteries in Nanjing, adopting a case study approach with urban morphology, multi-source quantitative analysis (including three spatial vitality elements), and data visualization, supplemented by comparative verification. Key findings reveal that urban cemeteries exhibit strong internal stability but low vitality and high negative externality. Their morphology has remained almost unchanged, with surrounding areas showing significant housing price depreciation within a 1-km radius, adjacent communities’ visual avoidance, and low daily pedestrian flow, peaking only during Qingming Festival. These results quantitatively verify that such cemeteries act as “fixed patches” in the urban fabric, restricting land efficiency and urban integration due to cultural and physical factors. This research uniquely contributes by interpreting cultural-spatial interplay, providing empirical insights into “Not-In-My-Backyard” facilities in China. It emphasizes the necessity of integrating cemeteries into urban planning and concludes with forecasts for their future, considering emerging urban renewal trends.