Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, Shanghai

Rural public cultural spaces serve as vital venues for information exchange, interpersonal interaction, and cultural and leisure activities in rural communities. Since the Rural Revitalization Strategy was proposed in 2017, the planning and provision of rural public cultural spaces have attracted in...

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Autori principali: Chang Liu, Huiting Gan, Maoen He
Natura: Articolo
Lingua:inglese
Pubblicazione: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Serie:Land
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Accesso online:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1177
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author Chang Liu
Huiting Gan
Maoen He
author_facet Chang Liu
Huiting Gan
Maoen He
author_sort Chang Liu
collection DOAJ
description Rural public cultural spaces serve as vital venues for information exchange, interpersonal interaction, and cultural and leisure activities in rural communities. Since the Rural Revitalization Strategy was proposed in 2017, the planning and provision of rural public cultural spaces have attracted increasing attention in China. However, many such spaces remain underutilized, accompanied by low levels of user satisfaction among villagers. A key reason for this is the mismatch between standardized spatial configurations and villagers’ dynamic functional needs. Drawing on Hertzberger’s theory of spatial polyvalence, this study proposes a framework to evaluate spatial flexibility in rural public cultural spaces. The framework introduces quantitative indicators and computational methods across two dimensions: “competence”, referring to a space’s potential to accommodate multiple functions, and “performance”, reflecting the efficiency of functional transformation during actual use. Employing the proposed method, this study conducts a case analysis of the Xiangyang Village Neighborhood Center in Shanghai to evaluate its spatial characteristics and actual usage. The evaluation reveals two key issues at the overall level: (1) many residual spaces remain undesigned and lack strategies to support spontaneous use; (2) the spatial layout shows rigid public–private divisions, with little adaptability. At the room level, spaces such as the elevator, hairdressing room, party secretary’s office, and health center are functionally rigid and underutilized. Drawing on exemplary cases, this study proposes several key strategies such as (1) optimizing and innovatively activating residual spaces, (2) integrating multifunctional programs, and (3) improving spatial inclusiveness.
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spelling doaj-art-cdbdf29ae66847ffae0faedd1f470ca42025-06-25T14:04:30ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-05-01146117710.3390/land14061177Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, ShanghaiChang Liu0Huiting Gan1Maoen He2College of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaCollege of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaCollege of Design and Innovation, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaRural public cultural spaces serve as vital venues for information exchange, interpersonal interaction, and cultural and leisure activities in rural communities. Since the Rural Revitalization Strategy was proposed in 2017, the planning and provision of rural public cultural spaces have attracted increasing attention in China. However, many such spaces remain underutilized, accompanied by low levels of user satisfaction among villagers. A key reason for this is the mismatch between standardized spatial configurations and villagers’ dynamic functional needs. Drawing on Hertzberger’s theory of spatial polyvalence, this study proposes a framework to evaluate spatial flexibility in rural public cultural spaces. The framework introduces quantitative indicators and computational methods across two dimensions: “competence”, referring to a space’s potential to accommodate multiple functions, and “performance”, reflecting the efficiency of functional transformation during actual use. Employing the proposed method, this study conducts a case analysis of the Xiangyang Village Neighborhood Center in Shanghai to evaluate its spatial characteristics and actual usage. The evaluation reveals two key issues at the overall level: (1) many residual spaces remain undesigned and lack strategies to support spontaneous use; (2) the spatial layout shows rigid public–private divisions, with little adaptability. At the room level, spaces such as the elevator, hairdressing room, party secretary’s office, and health center are functionally rigid and underutilized. Drawing on exemplary cases, this study proposes several key strategies such as (1) optimizing and innovatively activating residual spaces, (2) integrating multifunctional programs, and (3) improving spatial inclusiveness.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1177rural public cultural spacesspatial flexibilitypolyvalence theory
spellingShingle Chang Liu
Huiting Gan
Maoen He
Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, Shanghai
Land
rural public cultural spaces
spatial flexibility
polyvalence theory
title Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, Shanghai
title_full Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, Shanghai
title_fullStr Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, Shanghai
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, Shanghai
title_short Evaluating the Flexibility of Rural Public Cultural Spaces Based on Polyvalence Theory: A Case Study of Xiangyang Village, Shanghai
title_sort evaluating the flexibility of rural public cultural spaces based on polyvalence theory a case study of xiangyang village shanghai
topic rural public cultural spaces
spatial flexibility
polyvalence theory
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1177
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AT maoenhe evaluatingtheflexibilityofruralpublicculturalspacesbasedonpolyvalencetheoryacasestudyofxiangyangvillageshanghai