Abstract In spite of the great importance attached to historic districts from local governments, decay in historic districts has been a common phenomenon in the process of conservation in various parts of China. In order to answer this question, this paper analyzes several existing problems in the historic districts of Changshu. In this study, questionnaires, interviews as well as field investigations were used as tools to conduct the research. Through studying the current situation of these historic districts, it is found that there are several features of the historic districts of Changshu, including decay of material space, lack of infrastructures and marginalization of social space. To be more specific, firstly the architectures features poor quality and the old and dilapidated houses make up a high proportion in the research area. Secondly, the inhabitants are in lack of infrastructures, including the drainage, environment infrastructure and gas facility, which lower their quality of life. Thirdly, it is common to see aging population, and most habitants there feature lower education levels, poverty and narrow living space. The study shows that, though the government of Changshu has paid much attention to the conversation of historic districts, decay in the area is becoming more and more serious. Therefore, measures based on current situations simply are not enough to support the regeneration and the sustainable development of historic districts. Through questionnaires and interviews, the study argues that there are three main reasons for the historic district decay. Firstly, the government is in a dilemma of policy decision, for it is hard to pay the consequences for the renovation, especially there is no recognized conservation planning. Secondly, complex property rights of houses hinder the renovation. Thirdly, different perspectives of government departments also result in the decay.
2015, Vol. 30 
