Heritage and Transformation: Evolution of Street Networks in the Xiangmen Area, China

Cultural heritage sites increasingly face challenges from rapid globalization and urban modernization, which often generate tensions between historical preservation and contemporary development needs.This study investigates the Xiangmen area in Suzhou, a historically significant urban district within the ancient core of the city, to explore how spatial structures and regional functions have evolved across nearly three centuries.Drawing on a diachronic analysis of historical maps from 1745, 1881, 1893, 1906, 1914, 1940, 1960, and 2024, the research employs space syntax theory and the DepthmapX software to evaluate changes in street network connectivity and integration.The results reveal a gradual yet continuous transformation of the spatial configuration, reflecting both morphological adaptations and shifts in socioeconomic functions across different historical stages.In particular, the study identifies patterns of spatial centrality migration, the decline of certain traditional streets, and the emergence of new functional corridors that mirror broader urbanization processes and planning interventions.By integrating morphological evidence with spatial metrics, the analysis not only offers new insights into Suzhou's urban evolution but also highlights the dynamic interplay between heritage conservation and urban growth.The findings contribute to the theoretical discourse on urban morphology, provide methodological support for space syntax applications in historical studies, and deliver practical implications for balancing cultural preservation with sustainable urban development.