Spatial Archetypes as Drivers of Urban Renewal: Jiu’an Fang, Shanghai

Abstract

As the availability of incremental land in Shanghai’s central urban areas has become increasingly limited, the focus of urban renewal has gradually shifted toward revitalizing human-centered renewal and emotional connections in existing historic districts. Lilong neighborhoods, characterized by aging facilities, insufficient public space, and weakened neighborhood interaction, have become among the most typical and urgent targets of this transformation; This study explores how archetype theory can guide their organic renewal through three spatial archetypes—Li, Fang, and Long—representing neighborhood interaction, spatial order, and everyday life. This paper selects Jiu'an Fang as the case study. Using on-site observation, spatial mapping, and resident behavior recording, the research identified 12 spatial problems and developed three archetype-based strategies: structural retention with functional replacement, unit restructuring with interface activation, and path weaving with node creation. These strategies informed entrance reshaping, shared-facility insertion, circulation zoning, and the creation of public social spaces; Compared to conventional renewal approaches such as material repair and functional improvement, archetype-based renewal focuses on reconstructing everyday life, neighborhood interaction, and emotional ties rather than merely restoring physical form. By adapting the spatial and cultural structures of lilong neighborhoods, it preserves historical character while sustaining community identity and offers a feasible approach to organic renewal.