This chapter examines the distinctive spatial characteristics of the streets of Chinatowns in four Western cities. Chinatowns are the most widespread example of an urban ethnic enclave centered on commercial streets. They provide an optimal context to study the relationship between the specific spatial conditions of local city streets and the social and economic life of a particular immigrant social group. The chapter identifies commonalities and differences between the street networksNetworks of Chinatowns in four large Australian cities, investigating three scalesScale. At the metropolitan scaleScale, it explores how the connectivitiesConnectivity of the street networkNetworks link and separate Chinatowns from their surroundings. At the scaleScale of the urban district, it maps and analyzes local street widths, individual business locations, and how these businesses cluster together along particular street frontages. At the local scaleScale, it examines the unique visual character of Chinatowns’ streetscapes. The chapter shows that street networkNetworks configuration is a critical factor influencing the spatial distribution of Chinese economic and cultural activities and theCultural integrationintegrationIntegration of a Chinatown within its host city. While the streets of Chinatowns vary, they share certain characteristics, focusing around narrower streets and small-grained building stock. The visual character of Chinatowns’ streets shows their occupants’ significant efforts to appropriate localLocal identity built form to communicate cultural identityIdentity. The chapter contributes to our understanding of the spatial characteristics of ethnic enclaves. It highlights the key importance of streets in shaping the location, accessibilityAccessibility, prosperity, and visibility of immigrant groups within cities.

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The Streets of Chinatown

  • Quentin Stevens,
  • Ha Minh Hai Thai

摘要

This chapter examines the distinctive spatial characteristics of the streets of Chinatowns in four Western cities. Chinatowns are the most widespread example of an urban ethnic enclave centered on commercial streets. They provide an optimal context to study the relationship between the specific spatial conditions of local city streets and the social and economic life of a particular immigrant social group. The chapter identifies commonalities and differences between the street networksNetworks of Chinatowns in four large Australian cities, investigating three scalesScale. At the metropolitan scaleScale, it explores how the connectivitiesConnectivity of the street networkNetworks link and separate Chinatowns from their surroundings. At the scaleScale of the urban district, it maps and analyzes local street widths, individual business locations, and how these businesses cluster together along particular street frontages. At the local scaleScale, it examines the unique visual character of Chinatowns’ streetscapes. The chapter shows that street networkNetworks configuration is a critical factor influencing the spatial distribution of Chinese economic and cultural activities and theCultural integrationintegrationIntegration of a Chinatown within its host city. While the streets of Chinatowns vary, they share certain characteristics, focusing around narrower streets and small-grained building stock. The visual character of Chinatowns’ streets shows their occupants’ significant efforts to appropriate localLocal identity built form to communicate cultural identityIdentity. The chapter contributes to our understanding of the spatial characteristics of ethnic enclaves. It highlights the key importance of streets in shaping the location, accessibilityAccessibility, prosperity, and visibility of immigrant groups within cities.