[ 摘要 ]
本論文主旨以彰化縣溪湖鎮和平街老街（俗稱『中街』）與各時代地方空間變遷之相互關係為研究探討，以彰化縣溪湖鎮為個案研究在歷經長時間發展過程中，探討各時期真實的空間結構形成與發展脈絡及生活場域與機能的變遷。

本文將由歷史與場域變遷來看溪湖中街的形成與沒落，分為清代時期、日據時期及光復後至現今時期等三個階段，分別從歷史演變探討、聚落空間發展、市街空間發展、生活場域與機能演變等層面來分析地方空間的形成與轉變，同時透過現地田野調查、相關書籍、期刊、雜誌、論文等文獻資料、圖面資料蒐集與分析，試著以圖像表現方式呈現各時期的地方空間樣貌。

第一章緒論，說明本研究之動機與研究目的；以及本研究進行之方法；相關文獻回顧及分析。

第二章敘述溪湖整體歷史背景及區域環境：對於溪湖的源起地區聚落空間演變脈絡、溪湖行政發展沿革、相關環境概述、產業型態、自然環境與人文環境、傳統節慶活動等整體環境與背景之資料作彙整及分析。

第三章敘述「清代時期的溪湖」：其從平埔族人的開墾、漢人社會的出現、同姓庄頭的發展、角頭廟與宗教祭祀圈的演變歷程，探討溪湖地區其聚落的源起及族群之環境之關係。

第四章說明「日據時期的溪湖」：隨著日本政府殖民政權的統治實施殖民式之都市性計畫制度，溪湖市區改正、市街工商發展繁榮的景象及街道建築風貌的形塑；另因殖民經濟需求而明治製糖株式會社的設立造就溪湖街的興起、繁榮風華，由街仔的繁榮、聚落與市街、街市重要建築與空間等探討街道真實空間發展變遷。

第五章討論「光復後的溪湖」：在國際及國內整體政經情勢的政策變遷下，政府致力發展工業化的過程中，溪湖中街因糖廠的轉型、工業角色的轉變、因應經濟發展及快速道路、外環道路的開闢改變下所造成的人口外移、市街商業區域的移轉，進而造成中街的沒落。

第六章則是綜合結論之論述。

[ 英文摘要 ]
The purpose of this research is to discuss the correlation between an Old Street, located in Xi-Hu Town, Changhua County, as known as Middle Street and the transition of local space in different times. Taking Xi-Hu Town of Changhua County as an example,this research effort is to study the formation of structures and developmental history for this place during different periods and the change of living space and functions.

This research will discuss the formation and downfall of Middle Street. It will be divided into three phases: the periods during Qing Dynasty, Japanese Occupation, and the time from retrocession to nowadays. The dimensions of historical evolution, development of space in villages and streets in downtown, living space and change of functions will be analyzed respectively. Through the literature compiling from field investigation, relevant books, journals, magazines, theses, and so on, and the gathering and analysis of graphs, the features of local space during every period will be displayed in the form of graphs.

Chapter 1, the introduction part, explains research goal, motivation, methodology, and literature review of this study.

Chapter 2, description of the overall historical background and area environment for Xi-Hu, compiles and analyzes evolutional context of the village space, the developmental history of administration, summary of related environments, types of industries, natural and human environments, traditional activities for festivals and so on.

Chapter 3, description of Xi-Hu in Xing Dynasty, discusses the relationship between the origin of the villages and the surroundings of the tribes from the cultivation of Pingpu tribes, the appearance of the Hans’ society, the development of tribes with the same last names, local temples and circle of ancestral worship for religions.

Chapter 4 is the description of Xi-Hu during the period of Japanese Occupation. With the planned system for cities implemented by the colonial power of Japanese government, the improvement of downtown Xi-Hu, the prosperous outlooks and the formation of streets were seen. The establish of Meiji Sugar Factory contributed to the popularity and prosperity of Xi-Hu street. The development of real space of streets is discussed from the perspective of prosperity of streets, villages and downtown streets, the significant buildings and space in downtown,

Chapter 5 is the discussion of Xi-Hu after retrocession. Under the transition of international and domestic change, the government spared no effects to the development of industrialization. The downfall of Middle Street in Xi-Hu is caused by brain drain and the shift of business area in downtown in the result of the transformation of the sugar factory, the change of industrial role, the rapid prosperity of economy and the construction of fast roads and outer circular paths.

Chapter 6 is the comprehensive conclusion.