From “Form Innovation” to “Contextual Reconstruction”: The Transformation of Architectural Aesthetics in Historical Districts and Existing Stock Renewal

Abstract

China’s urbanization has shifted from rapid expansion to a stage of existing stock renewal. At the same time, the focus of urban development is moving away from efficiency toward a more human-oriented approach, and this shift is gradually reshaping architectural aesthetics. In the expansion era, cities often relied on visually striking designs characterized by Form Innovation to build urban identity. This worked for a while. However, it also led to problems such as fragmented historical context, a weak sense of place, and limited responsiveness to everyday social needs, which are becoming more evident in an aging society. Against this background, architectural aesthetics is moving toward Contextual Reconstruction. More attention is being given to contextual continuity, cultural transmission, and the needs of different user groups. Based on literature review, case study, and comparative analysis, this paper develops a context-oriented analytical framework for architectural aesthetics in the era of existing stock renewal, integrating urbanization stage theory with the idea of the livable city. The renewal of the Wuzhen historical district is used as a representative case. The findings suggest that this transformation reflects a return of architectural value to the city, to culture, and ultimately to people. Meanwhile, technologies such as artificial intelligence are starting to support contextual preservation, spatial optimization, and age-friendly design. These insights may be useful for historical district renewal and also contribute to ongoing discussions on urban transformation in the era of existing stock renewal.