Ancient temple heritage space is a subcategory of integrated spaces with profound religious architecture, culture, and landscape. The temporal and spatial characteristics, spatial layouts, and functionalities of ancient temples are gradually transformed during different periods in their development. However, quantitative topological estimation tools, e.g., space syntax and detailed digital spatial models, have seldom been adopted in related studies on ancient temples. Daming Temple is a typical representative of the revitalization of Buddhism monastic building heritage in China. This research studies the spaces of Daming Temple, Yangzhou City, in three different periods and explores its spatio–temporal characteristics based on two space syntax models, i.e., the angle segment analysis (ASA) model and the visibility map analysis (VGA) model. By multi-step quantitative estimation, changes in the mean depth (MD), mean connectivity, and intelligibility of the temple have been observed. The global spatial structure is thoroughly revealed, which indicates the changes in the ‘temple-residence-garden’ inter-relationship. It is indicated that dynamic spatio–temporal characteristics of the temple have been undergoing changes chronically. Some phenomena are found to be effective in offering reasonable explanations for these changes, i.e., the changes in relationships among spaces, visitors’ pathfinding difficulties, and spatial design techniques. It also found that there are certain correlations between temporal–spatial changes and spatial conservation strategies for building heritages. The case study can provide some valuable references for the conservation, reactivation, and redesign of related historical and cultural building heritage in East Asia.

Although geodesign techniques have been studied and developed worldwide, there is still a lack of in-depth application of geodesign workflows for redesigning urban river wetlands with characteristics of ecologically engineered landscaping (EEL). The study mainly aims at putting forward a proper approach in the methodological foundation for EEL practices in river wetlands. A typical EEL-oriented project of river restoration in Hangzhou, China, was conducted in this study. Based on in-situ geodata and tools within QGIS, individual geological factors analysis, with the hierarchical analysis method (AHP) and ecological vulnerability evaluation (EVE), was conducted by experts’ voting and the weighted linear combination (WLC) method. Analysis of hydrological-related factors proceeded. This GIS-based analysis with expert knowledge provided comprehensive redesign solutions for the redesign project, i.e., restoration of the riverbed, spatial restoration in the horizontal and vertical dimensions, and integration with the multifunctional design. Detailed three-dimensional models for design practices were developed to present redesigned topology and space accordingly. Terrain, inundation, and visibility analysis proceeded with parametric mapping programs within Grasshopper to check the feasibility. The adapted geodesign-based workflow in the study also applies to the site analysis, sustainable assessment and landscape planning for urban wetlands EEL projects.

Geographic Information System (GIS) technology has not been extensively or systematically applied to the planning and fusion design of rural greenways, leaving considerable potential for exploration. This study focuses on the circular greenway around Xianlin Reservoir in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, utilizing GIS technology for rural greenway planning and integrated design. The research balances ecological preservation, agricultural tourism and regional culture to optimise spatial allocation along the greenway. Firstly, based on GIS-based workflow, spatial geographic data within the study area were utilised for quantifiable information to conduct the ecological suitability assessment. By integrating expert evaluations and road network analysis methods, fusion-design-oriented route planning for the rural reservoir greenway was conducted. The case study employs digital spatial analysis techniques to support the planning and fusion design process. This approach not only contributes to enhancing the environment surround rural greenways but also explores a viable workflow applicable to assisting in the fusion design of rural greenways.

Ecological wisdom is a form of human survival wisdom that advocates for a balanced and equitable relationship between humans and nature. Throughout their long history of migration and settlement, people have constructed villages in the vast southeastern mountainous areas and other regions, which are adapted to natural conditions and meet their own needs. The She ethnic villages represent a unique settlement landscape characterized by distinct She cultural features and lifestyles, embodying their unique ecological construction wisdom. There is a high concentration of well-preserved traditional She villages in Jingning County, China. The Chimu Mountain area, adjacent to the county town, serves as a gathering place for the She people, where not only the layout and construction techniques of many traditional villages are preserved, but also local customs, traditions, and religious beliefs. Based on field research, this research explores the specific manifestations of ecological wisdom in the traditional She villages from site selection and layout, construction techniques, etc., with a focus on elaborating the ecological wisdom in the evolution and development of these villages. It is revealed that the most prominent ecological wisdom reflected in the construction of traditional She villages is their strong and extensive adaptability. A deeper analysis and understanding of the ecological wisdom of traditional She villages will provide important insights and application value for the improvement of rural human environments, rural revitalization, and ecological civilization construction.