The Comparative Study of the Evolutionary Characteristics of Spatial Forms and Cultural Differences in the Russian-Japanese Railway Residential Architecture Heritage in Jilin Province

Residential architectural heritage in Jilin Province, particularly along the Chinese Eastern and South Manchuria Railways, represents the most abundant and widespread form of heritage in the region. This study investigates the distinctive features of these heritage buildings, which are often overlooked due to their technological simplicity, ubiquity, and atypical nature. We analyzed 28 floor plans of residential buildings from the Russian and Japanese colonial periods using GIS technology, space syntax, and Z-score normalization. The findings reveal that (1) Russian elite housing layouts are complex and circular, while Japanese layouts consist of multiple branching combinations; Russian common housing typically has single-node, multi-branch layouts, whereas Japanese housing features multi-node, fewer-branch designs; (2) Russian houses prioritize warmth and privacy, with enclosed layouts that emphasize defensiveness, while Japanese houses focus on space efficiency, rational movement, and multifunctional design, with open layouts highlighting spatial integration and functional differentiation; (3) cultural differences are reflected in factors such as the historical rivalry between Russian and Japanese powers, natural environments, family structures, and standardized construction techniques. This study offers new insights into the cultural characteristics and historical context of Jilin Province’s railway residential heritage and supports its protection and future research.