Identity and Transition in the EMME Region’s Urban Morphology. Identity of Traditional Uyghur Settlements under Urban Development in Yining City

Yining is located in the Xinjiang region where traditional Chinese culture and Western influences converge. Throughout its history, Yining has been a typical area characterized by the coexistence of multiple ethnic groups, religions, and cultures. The city has a unique form and structure. In the modern era, as economic industries have evolved, traditional settlements have become unable to sustain the city's operational demands. As a result, historical settlement patterns have been abandoned. The new community layouts are formulaic, lacking distinct characteristics, and have been widely replicated, simultaneously eroding the soul of traditional neighborhoods. This represents an erasure of spatial identity, blurring the city's collective memory. This study is based on the urban spatial context and evolutionary structure of Yining across different historical periods. By examining the types of traditional settlements, it aims to identify the city's cultural genes and interpret the vivid essence of traditional Uyghur dwellings in Xinjiang. The objective is to preserve the concept of local identity, to understand the relationship between living customs and residential spaces from a broader perspective, and to build a "bridge" that connects memory with the future.