Spatial Analysis And Study On Traditional Market Towns Based On The Fractal Theory

From the perspective of analysis on the space form of traditional villages, this article, based on field surveying and mapping and research, makes a conclusion about the preliminary qualitative analysis by visiting typical market towns in the Chishui basin, provides a systematic analysis on the space of the ancient market towns along Chishui River, and makes a study on the characteristics and rules of the spatial layout of traditional market towns along Chishui River, with a combination modern parametric design and fractal analysis method. Fractal study on the space of traditional villages goes beyond the limitations of traditional qualitative analysis method and empirical design method as, on the one side, it provides a method of quantitative study, analysis and evaluation with respect to space, and on the other hand, the “algorithm design” to some extent can make up designers' lack of experience in the course of comprehending architectural space and design by quantifying factors such as restrictions, influencing factors and solution characteristics into data, entering such data into the computer, which helps to do the auxiliary design, and thus increasing the efficiency of the whole design process.Located at the junction of Sichuan Province and Guizhou Province, Chishui City is titled as the “Gate of North Guizhou”. The “Ren'an” salt transportation route(developed in Qing Dynasty) creates a strong bond with Sichuan Province, making Chishui City a vehicle of cultures including “Bashu Culture”, “Salt Transportation Culture” and “Wine Culture”. In addition, the unique landscape of the Chishui basin shaped the local distinguishing architectural forms from any other area.This article describes the procedure of the author's analysis on Chishui market towns in four parts. The first part gives a preliminary description about the “fractal geometry theory” as well as the applicable scope and features of the study objects of fractal geometry. The second part carries out research on the natural environment and historical background of the Chishui basin and draws a conclusion about the basic characteristics and rules of village layout and architectural form in the Chishui market towns. The third part analyzes by comparing the settlement mechanism of market towns along the Chishui basin and the form of architectures in the market towns with the box-counting dimension method in the fractal geometry theory and combines characteristics concluded after the research on Chishui market towns before reasoning out that how and why the market towns in this area comes into being. The last part, based on the aforesaid study and plan design as well as research about several market towns in the Chishui basin and design practice, gives a summary about the growing logic of market towns in the Chishui basin and absorbs the essense of traditional space and applies such essense to the protection, planning and design of traditional villages, which has exploratory significance to understanding and protecting the cultural characteristics of local traditional villages.