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The acoustic environment can influence people's perceptions and experiences and shape the soundscape. The soundscape has a unique role in shaping the cultural identity of a regional culture. Artificial sounds are an essential source of sounds in historical blocks; research has shown the influence of the ratio of perceived artificial sounds to the perceived extent of natural sounds on environmental perception in historical blocks. In order to explore this impact, this study uses the red soundscape index (RSIn), which represents the ratio of perceived artificial sounds to natural sounds, and constructs a structural equation model to elucidate the relationship between RSIn, soundscape perception, and sense of place. The results show that: (1) The evaluation of the sense of place is inversely related to the perception of artificial sounds and positively related to the perception of natural sounds. (2) Different artificial sounds have different effects on soundscape perception and the sense of place; the traditional culture soundscape index (TRSIn) has a significant impact on soundscape pleasantness (β = −0.13, p < 0.001) and soundscape quality (β = −0.09, p < 0.01). (3) The human soundscape index (ARSIn) has a significant impact on the sense of place (β = −0.14, p < 0.001). (4) The music soundscape index (MRSIn) has a significant negative impact on soundscape quality (β = −0.13, p < 0.05) and the sense of place (β = −0.12, p < 0.05). Therefore, the different dominant artificial sound sources should be considered and emphasized when designing and optimizing the soundscape of historic districts. The results of this study can serve as design guidelines and supporting data, providing a reference for the optimization and enhancement of the soundscape of historical blocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acoustic environment can influence people’s perceptions and experiences and shape the soundscape. The soundscape has a unique role in shaping the cultural identity of a regional culture. Artificial sounds are an essential source of sounds in historical blocks; research has shown the influence of the ratio of perceived artificial sounds to the perceived extent of natural sounds on environmental perception in historical blocks. In order to explore this impact, this study uses the red soundscape index (RSIn), which represents the ratio of perceived artificial sounds to natural sounds, and constructs a structural equation model to elucidate the relationship between RSIn, soundscape perception, and sense of place. The results show that: (1) The evaluation of the sense of place is inversely related to the perception of artificial sounds and positively related to the perception of natural sounds. (2) Different artificial sounds have different effects on soundscape perception and the sense of place; the traditional culture soundscape index (TRSIn) has a significant impact on soundscape pleasantness (β = −0.13, p < 0.001) and soundscape quality (β = −0.09, p < 0.01). (3) The human soundscape index (ARSIn) has a significant impact on the sense of place (β = −0.14, p < 0.001). (4) The music soundscape index (MRSIn) has a significant negative impact on soundscape quality (β = −0.13, p < 0.05) and the sense of place (β = −0.12, p < 0.05). Therefore, the different dominant artificial sound sources should be considered and emphasized when designing and optimizing the soundscape of historic districts. The results of this study can serve as design guidelines and supporting data, providing a reference for the optimization and enhancement of the soundscape of historical blocks.

Tourists, as the main beneficiary of historical block protection and tourism development, are considered qualified to speak on the matter of the preservation of space quality and regional characteristics. The study established a questionnaire using semantic analysis to investigate and evaluate tourists' perspective of various spatial elements in Beijing's three historical blocks. Factor analysis and IPA method was introduced to explore how various spatial elements affected the overall environmental perception of tourists. Based on the relative importance of spatial elements, suggestions for optimizing the space of historical blocks were proposed. The study found that: 1 The overall evaluation of various spatial elements of the historical block was relatively positive, and only the "environmental atmosphere" was closer to the negative evaluation, indicating that most tourists think the environment was too noisy; 2 All spatial elements can be classified into three indicators: "visual experience", "street form" and "perception of regional characteristics"; 3 Landscape planting and space interface needed to be improved first, followed by ground pavement, traffic organization, and advertisement signboard. The research provides a theoretical foundation for reducing the damage caused by improper tourism development behaviors, further improving the spatial quality of historical blocks, and enhancing tourists' satisfaction of the historical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Democratic Peace Theory has been one of the most hotly debated topics ever since the 1980s. From Kant to the present day, the meaning of Democratic Peace Theory has changed, while the theory nowadays claims in principle that democratic states wage war against each other less often owing to their institutions’ and citizens’ abilities to urge their governments to establish a peaceful foreign policy. At this point, the critical theory offers an alternative explanation for the behaviors of democratic countries. This study was designed as a theoretical discussion utilising the analysis of primary and secondary sources in the field, both in printed and electronic materials. Employing the viewpoint of the critical theory, this paper argues that Democratic Peace is the disguise of hegemonic relations and the product of the historical block. This study revealed that democracies are not pacifist actors in the international realm. As articulated by the critical approach, the study also puts forth that the concept of Democratic eace facilitates the expansionist ambitions of hegemonic powers in the international system by utilizing various humanitarian interventions and serves as a means to maintain imperialist peace. Empirical evidence from the military intervention in Libya further reinforces this argument. Thus, this study asserts the idea to be cautious against the propositions of the Democratic Peace Theory because any activities done in the name of spreading democracy may involve a hidden agenda and disrupt the internal stability of non-democratic countries.

For urban development worldwide, the revitalisation of cultural heritage and historical buildings is regarded as a strategy for creating jobs, increasing residents’ access to local culture, improving their quality of life, and developing the urban economy. The key factor in the revitalisation of cultural heritage and historical buildings is a strategy for developing the urban economy. Through an exploratory study, this paper examined how the cultural service ecosystems of Dihua Street and Guansi Shihdianzih Old Street are created and operated and how actors develop cultural service ecosystems. By presenting a common value proposition, actors can benefit from interactions through an exchange of services, provide cultural services, develop cultural value, and implement full resource integration and value co-creation, thus promoting the cultural brand communication of historical blocks and the sustainability of cultural services. This study further extended the original functions of cultural heritage and analysed the operation of cultural service ecosystems for cultural heritage. The findings of this study revealed that the organisational operational effectiveness of revitalisation and cultural innovation activities in historic districts provided an innovative approach for sustainable development and the economic revival of historical blocks, which can be used as a reference for the sustainability of local culture and economy. In this perspective, this article provides some useful suggestions for stakeholders and policymakers.

This short papertriesto approachthe concept of hegemonyin Antonio Gramsci, through the study of a littlefragment of his vast and formlessdiscursive work, in order to identify the meaning of concurrent articulated intentions in ideological-cultural transmission and addressing moral and intellectual processes, pedagogical dimensions that contribute to the achievement of a historical unity.

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Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Ciencias Sociales is the property of Fondo Editorial Fundacion Universitaria Luis Amigo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Estudos Ibero-Americanos is the property of EDIPUCRS - Editora Universitaria da PUCRS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Soundscape perception could affect visiting experience in different types of urban open spaces. The aim of this study was to verify whether these effects exist in historical districts as well. This was based on a questionnaire survey of 298 visitors in the "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys" historical block in Fuzhou, China. The results indicated that, different soundscape perception and visiting experience indicators could be affected by certain different sound sources. Specifically, natural sounds showed more positive effects on calm and harmonious soundscape perception. Natural sounds and music related sounds showed the most prominent positive effects on satisfaction degree of different landscape types, while construction sound and traffic sound showed the most adverse effects. Construction sound also showed the most negative effects on historical sense, while distinctive impression was much related to water sound and handcraft making sound. Noisy impression showed the most relationships with perception of certain human sounds and music related sounds, while interesting impression was significantly related to historical sounds and natural sounds. In general, positive soundscape perception could contribute to the satisfaction degree of visiting experience. The SEM results indicated that soundscape pleasantness and eventfulness showed more positive effects on historical and modern landscape, respectively, and both of them showed positive effects on commercial landscape. Modern landscape and commercial landscape showed direct and indirect positive effects on historical landscape, respectively. The research results provided theoretical references for soundscape and landscape design of historical blocks in renovation process. Image 1 • Major sound sources affecting soundscape perception and visiting experience were identified. • Historical sounds could improve satisfaction degree of historical and commercial landscape. • Positive soundscape perception could contribute to a better visiting experience. • Different soundscape could cause different impacts on historical and modern landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the conflict between human activities and the natural environment has led to global warming and extreme weather, which has provoked people into thinking about the climate adaptability of buildings. Historical blocks are usually built and designed based on the social environment and climatic conditions at that time; therefore, they generally contain the construction techniques relevant to dealing with the local climate. The study aims to study the microclimate characteristics of a historic conservation area in a severe cold region and to explore how it attempted to achieve climate adaptation. Taking the Chinese–Baroque historic conservation area in Harbin as an example, this paper analyzed and studied the climate adaptability technology and excavated the suitable technology for the block to deal with a severe cold climate through research, field measurements, and numerical simulation. The results showed that compared with a certain modern urban area in the city, the Chinese–Baroque historic conservation area had better ability to resist wind and cold. The compact layout of the block could reduce heat loss and keep out the cold by effectively resisting the cold wind from permeating inside. Compared with the T-shaped and L-shaped courtyards, the rectangular courtyard occupies the largest proportion and a rectangular courtyard enclosed by buildings on all sides had better windbreak performance. Furthermore, when the courtyard space was enclosed by four sides and the courtyard width was the same, when the plane aspect ratio was smaller, the maximum wind speed of the inner courtyard was smaller. The squares in the block had a good performance in cold resistance. At the same scale, the higher the degree of enclosure of the square, the lower the internal wind speed. This study will provide a reference for urban planning and architectural design in severe cold regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]