ABSTRACT
Transportation is critical in supporting urban renaissance instead of small-scale tactical treatments, which require comprehensive and integrated spatial renewal and functional improvements at multiple levels. This chapter shows how the advancement of urban transportation transformation can effectively support the recent urban regeneration project promoted by Hangzhou city. Considering the key concepts of ‘promotion, integration, transformation and inheritance’, this chapter raises seven issues to be solved in the regeneration project. Correspondingly, seven strategies are proposed, including various solutions advancing urban transport services at the city activity centres. Specifically, these solutions include transforming transport hubs, upgrading public services and public spaces, refining the ‘last-kilometre’ accessibility and land development around transit stations, space sewing, optimising public space network, enhancing transport resilience and improving the cultural–historical landscape. Based on the above strategies, the Wulin Pedestrian Zone adjacent to West Lake in Hangzhou is proposed as a pilot project in the first round of urban regeneration. The proposal focuses on improving the transportation system in the area, which acts as a catalyst, pushes the revitalisation of the whole area and eventually helps achieve the goal of urban regeneration in the long run with co-benefits in a vibrant district rich in historical, cultural and commercial activities. Four issues addressing historical and cultural resources, commercial development, housing environment and connections were discussed in this area, and some specific planning and design strategies were devised to achieve our aim, covering street network and space redesign, cultural and historical renovation and local neighbourhood improvement.
