The shape of heritage: maintaining spatial continuity in commercial corridors in Bandung, Indonesia

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Abstract
Braga Street is a commercial area and a popular tourist destination in the centre of Bandung. Known as “De Meest Europeesche Winkelstraat Van Indie” (the most European business street in the Dutch East Indies), it features a continuous row of colonial-era shop buildings with pedestrian pathways and distinctive architecture that is over 100 years old. Despite ongoing urban development and the commercialization of tourism, this corridor has managed to retain much of its spatial and visual character. This study aims to examine how the historical corridor of Braga Street maintains its distinctive morphological and visual identity amid contemporary urban transformations. It specifically addresses the question of how spatial and visual factors contribute to the corridor’s ability to preserve its heritage values while accommodating modern functions. Using a qualitative method with a morphological approach involving historical overlay maps, figure-ground analysis, and enclosure evaluation across different time periods, the research identifies spatial and visual factors that support the corridor’s endurance. The findings reveal a persistent spatial continuity reflected in consistent figure-ground and enclosure patterns, complemented by contextual architectural facades and supportive landscape elements that enhance pedestrian comfort. However, this continuity is not absolute, as adaptive reuse and new developments introduce partial ruptures in the urban fabric. The study’s contribution lies in demonstrating how quantitative morphological indicators can inform strategies that balance conservation with contemporary urban needs.

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