Spatial syntax analysis on the renewal of the external space of mining heritage buildings: A case study of Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex

The renovation of external spaces of mining heritage buildings should respect their historical and cultural value and be adapted to the specific characteristics of the mining area for spatial restructuring and functional replacement. Current research often relies on subjective experience and focuses on qualitative analysis, lacking in-depth quantitative analysis. Building upon the summary of research on mining heritage exterior spaces and spatial syntax studies, this paper proposes a research methodology that quantitatively analyzes the accessibility and integration of mining heritage exterior spaces using spatial syntax convex space and axis map models. Taking the exterior connecting spaces and characteristic spaces before and after the renovation of the German Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex as the research objects, the impact of spatial location on different circulation organizations and functions of spatial places is visually expressed, providing a more intuitive explanation of the complex relationships in mining heritage exterior spaces. The research findings reveal that the spatial syntax model is adaptable in evaluating the renovation of mining heritage exterior spaces, with spaces exhibiting high integration being essentially consistent with key and highly utilized exterior spaces within the renovated mining area. In summary, it can be concluded that the integration of mining heritage exterior spaces and consequently the utilization rate and value can be improved through spatial "Connection", "Growth", and "Darning", thereby offering direct reference for subsequent research and practical organization of mining heritage architectural exterior space renewal.