Resilience Renewal Design Strategy for Aging Communities in Traditional Historical and Cultural Districts: Reflections on the Practice of the Sizhou’an Community in China

Abstract

The aging communities within traditional historical and cultural districts in the post-epidemic era face numerous challenges, including declining vitality, deteriorating environments, sluggish economies, and heightened public health risks. This paper aims to explore strategies for promoting the internal self-development of aging communities and enhancing their resilience. It analyzes the resilience of these communities through four dimensions: social factors, built environments, economic factors, and ecological environments. Using the Sizhou’an community in China as a case study, this paper examines the underlying causes of vulnerability and proposes renewal strategies. These strategies include stimulating the vitality of elderly groups, improving the community’s spatial environment, leveraging regional cultural advantages, and establishing urban community agricultural gardens. Furthermore, it presents a community renewal model characterized by “government guidance + community leadership + capital introduction + resident participation” to bolster community resilience and vitality, thereby ensuring sustainable development.