Research On The Urban Fabric Of Ningbo Based On GIS

This dissertation has systemically discussed on the concept and theory of urban fabric, which is as form of city, especially the expression of special form shape of city. After the elements of city are integrated into urban fabric through the structural relationship, they express themselves as the macrocosmic and dynamic "fabric" from special aspect. The fabric is a superficial urban shape of "extension of expression" under its mechanism of intension of logic. With double attributes of concrete entity and abstract shape, urban fabric is made up of basic forms and structural framework. Here a series of indices are put forward to describe the urban fabric. The organizing rule of urban fabric has two levers, which are graphic rules (implicit) and developing mechanism rule(explicit).It is the social,endogenous and integrated developing mechanism that distinguishes the urban fabric from the other fabrics.Application of GIS is not only the innovation of study method, but also the innovation of methodology and thoughtway. Its Work Flow, main functions, corresponding relationships between elements information of urban fabric and spatial data of GIS as well as the spatial analyzing methods in the study of urban fabric are discussed.Based on the above-mentioned theory, an empirical case study on urban fabric of Ningbo old city is carried out. Since the focus and perceivable structure could be changed under the different scales, we study the urban fabric of Ningbo old city from two levers, which are whole city area lever and subarea lever. Based on the analyses of location, geographical environment as well as historical and cultural characteristics, this dissertation summarizes the "double structure" identity of Ningbo. With the retrospect of urban spatial developing history, the entire pattern of streets and river networks has been summarized, which are transformed from double-grid to single-grid. While the street network are transformed from scanty to dense, the water system maintain its special and essential function. In the study of this lever, the general picture of urban fabric zoning is outlined and different fabric of Ningbo old city is marked out through the analyses of land use zoning and evolvement of traditional settlement patterns.On the subarea lever however, only one probe case—Xiaowen block has been chosen due to the time pressure and limited data. The reality of the block istransformed into GIS database through modeling. And its fabric feature and indices are computed and analyzed, so as to cognize and interpret the actuality of urban fabric. No matter for the fabric mending in the old city or for and fabric building in the new area, the fruit of GIS analyses has its essential applying value. It helps to built up an index framework which the newly added elements should follow and the regulatory index system which reflects the whole virtual reality after rebuilding.