Research on Design Strategies and Guidelines for the Renewal of 'Streetside' Spaces along the Western Section of Wenming Road by the Yudai Moat of Guangzhou

Research on the Renovation Design of "Streetside" SpacIn Guangzhou’s historic urban districts, streetside spaces serve as vital carriers of residents’ daily activities, encompassing social, commercial, and landscape functions. However, traditional urban planning and design have paid limited attention to these spaces, particularly in high-density residential neighborhoods where issues such as functional mixture, spatial disorder, and insufficient public accessibility are prevalent. This study focuses on the western segment of Wenming Road along Yudai Moat, conducting a comprehensive analysis from three dimensions: historical evolution, current site investigation, and international case comparison. Based on these, adaptive renewal strategies and specific urban design guidelines are proposed. The research begins by defining the concept of “streetside space” in the context of Cantonese vernacular and Lingnan urban life. It argues that "streetside" is not only a physical interface but also a locus of social interaction. Through field surveys and sectional diagram analysis, four categories of streetside space are identified: residential, commercial, logistic/storage, and public types. Each category exhibits distinct spatial interface characteristics and usage patterns. The survey reveals widespread issues including irregular streetside dimensions, closed-off facades, low efficiency of space usage, and fragmentation of historical and cultural continuity—all of which hinder the publicness and sustainable development of streetside space. For comparative analysis, this paper selects Italy’s Turin urban codes (N.381/N.388), Japan’s Street Design Guidelines, and China’s street design manuals from Shanghai and Chengdu. From the perspectives of legal control, human-centered dimensions, street typology, and community participation, key strategies are extracted. The Italian experience emphasizes rigid regulatory frameworks and detailed spatial control, suitable for legally-guided heritage preservation. The Japanese approach focuses on “comfort” and “lingerability”, highlighting openness and livability. In contrast, Chinese approaches are characterized by problem-oriented and micro-renewal strategies, showing strong local adaptability and spatial flexibility. Building upon these findings, the paper proposes two core renewal principles: “local adaptability” and “multi-stakeholder collaboration.” A strategic framework is constructed, including interface control, public space activation, and facility guidance. This framework culminates in a practical set of guidelines for the adaptive renewal of streetside spaces, covering classification, element integration, strategic direction, and institutional support, with representative nodes selected for detailed redesign. This research emphasizes the unique value of streetside spaces as extensions of urban public realms and their critical roles in enhancing neighborhood quality, fostering social interaction, and preserving cultural memory. The proposed design strategies and guidelines are not only applicable to street renewal in Guangzhou but also provide referential ideas for streetside space governance in similar urban contexts.e in the Yudai Moat (West Wenming Road Section) of Guangzhou