Principles and features of approaches to the reorganization of historical districts in Russia and China

The issue of reorganizing and reconstructing historical neighborhoods is one of the most relevant and complex tasks in the context of growing urbanization. The complexity of the task lies in finding a balance between preserving the historical character of the development and creating comfortable living conditions. On one hand, there is a need to delicately and accurately preserve, and sometimes even reproduce, the historical appearance of the urban environment, while on the other, to create a comfortable, safe, and sustainable environment that meets the needs of the modern urban dweller. This article is devoted to a comparative analysis of approaches to the reorganization of historical neighborhoods in Russia and China. The relevance of the research is determined by the importance of preserving cultural heritage and the appearance of historical neighborhoods, as well as creating a comfortable urban environment in conditions of growing urbanization in both Russia and China. The study used methods of analyzing the existing experience of reorganizing historical neighborhoods in Russia (RF) and China (PRC), field surveys, and comparative analysis. The main approaches considered in the RF are comprehensive, environmental, and contextual, while in China they focus on preserving cultural identity, integrative, and adaptive approaches. The article proposes a methodology for identifying basic and specific principles in approaches to the reorganization of historical neighborhoods in Russia and China. Additionally, the study defines the characteristics and proposes typical schemes for historical neighborhoods in the RF and China. The results of the comparative analysis of the approaches to the reorganization of historical neighborhoods in Russia and China are presented, along with the advantages, disadvantages, key differences, and similarities between the approaches of the two countries. Practical aspects of implementing these approaches are examined through real examples of historical neighborhood reorganization. The article offers recommendations for professionals on the practical integration of approaches that contribute to both the preservation of the appearance of historical neighborhoods and cultural heritage, as well as the creation of a comfortable and functional urban environment.