VIRTUAL ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

To address landscape homogenization in the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal Cultural Belt, this study reconceptualises spatial fabric as a sociosemiotic resource. Comparing Hangzhou’s Gongchen Bridge area and Tianjin’s Three-River Confluence, an integrated framework of natural substrate, cultural genes, spatial form, and landscape meaning is applied. Using GIS and comparative mapping, four physical systems are analyzed. Results show that natural substrate affords different semiotic potentials. Dense water networks in the south create an organic texture, while broad channels in the north produce an axial texture. Cultural genes encode texture characteristics into heritage identity. The literati-vernacular gene fosters a fine-grained, blended texture in the south, and the water-transport pluralistic gene shapes a grand, hybrid texture in the north. These texture differences manifest as holistic landscape divergence, offering discourse-based evidence for canal heritage conservation and highlighting how historical spatial identities can inform region-specific urban futures.