Social Integration Measurement of Inhabitants in Historic Blocks: The Case of Harbin, China

Abstract

The inhabitants of historic blocks require more social and planning consideration. A basic means to achieve inclusive planning and social sustainability in such areas is to quantitatively study the social integration of their inhabitants. Based on social survey data for the inhabitants of Harbin’s Central Street and DaoWai historic block in China, this paper establishes the measurement factors that affect inhabitant social integration to construct a measurement model. Statistical analysis is performed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The analysis results reveal five dimensions of inhabitant social integration: behavioral integration, cultural integration, industrial integration, spatial integration, and management integration. Subsequently, the statistical scores for social integration and related factors are calculated. The empirical results indicate that the level of the inhabitant social integration has an impact on the vitality and sustainable development of the blocks. The social integration score of the inhabitants of Central Street is higher than that of the inhabitants of the DaoWai historic block. Among the five dimensions, the industrial integration level of Central Street is the highest, whereas the spatial integration level of DaoWai historic block is the highest. The level of management integration is the lowest for both blocks. The difference in the levels of industrial integration between the two blocks is the highest, and cultural integration is the lowest. Comparing the status quo of the two blocks, the paper concludes that the promotion of inhabitant social integration requires enhancing the dimensions with lower measurement scores according to the specific conditions of the block. In this manner, a fundamental theory for a socially inclusive revitalization of historic blocks is established, thus to enhance social sustainability.

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