Urban Heritage Conservation and Modern Urban Development from the Perspective of the Historic Urban Landscape Approach: A Case Study of Suzhou

Suzhou is one of China’s model cities due to its economic development in recent decades. Although the city deserves recognition for efforts urban heritage conservation, current preservation strategy only targets ancient and neglects separation entire landscape. This has become a huge hidden problem process Suzhou’s sustainable development. study, based on this background, explores problems planning, then proposes suggestions optimization. The historic landscape approach provides solution by analyzing form features three important historical periods: pre-1949, 1949–1978, post-1978. study discusses makes following contributions: (1) dichotomy between modernity tradition shown from morphological perspective, revealing that rapid urbanization one-sided pursuit development, (2) revisits role traditional gardens order better integrate them as structural elements (3) intangible value combined with looking beyond notion “historic center” or “ensemble” help all residents more coherent place attachment local identity.