The Urban Planning of Chinese Ancient Cities
by
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Section 2 The Idea of Urban Planning
The technology and idea of 'urban plan' was initiated in China long ago. The theory of urban plan was usually integrated with military and political concept in ancient literature. Therefore, the importance of urban plan had itself surfaced thousands years ago, also, the cities in China then were built in accordance with the existed 'urban plan.' In Chou Dynasty, the scale and structure of city were regulated and stated in the
Some historians thought there were two different theories concerning urban planning that represented different political philosophy. One of the theories was for a free layout when the other was for an orderly layout. In fact, from the viewpoint of architecture and urban planning technology, the problem is rather easy to be understood. A flat surface is appropriate for the design of a regular layout to the benefit of traffic, appearance, and military consideration. However, an orderly layout is almost impossible on a complicate and special land scope because the needed high tech was not yet available. Therefore, this type of design must be revised to accommodate the inferior environmental surrounding. To sum it up, Chinese city and palace is usually built orderly if the land scope is in good shape, otherwise, it may be changed due to the consideration of surrounding environment. A wise site selection for city construction is crucial.
Sometimes, a free design of city and palace is the result of a non-planned urban development. Ancient European cities and palaces were not constructed orderly as Chinese structure because they were short of a systematic planning. China could be the first nation that was built with a complete urban planning. Of course, the urban plan of Greece and Rome then was also outstanding. Basically, the city structure of Greece and Rome was more lively. However, its development was outwards and it was completed through a long period of time. Therefore, the fundamental design has gone through many revisions and corrections. A city or part of a city may reflect the concept of urban planning that lasted for several centuries. However, it is not the case for Chinese. Many Chinese ancient cities were constructed rapidly with an integrated layout. Beijing has reflected the integrated development of Ch'ing Dynasty. The planning and construction of Beijing demonstrates the structural characteristics of traditional Chinese cities.
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About the Book
I am interested and fascinated by the structure of ancient Chinese architecture. When I was a college student, most of my school reports and essays concentrated on the development of modern and ancient cities. History is the stepping-stone of progress for mankind; therefore, this report is prepared to discuss and to plan the best habitat for mankind taking history as a whole.
This report began with a discussion on the mutual relationship between traditional concept of Chinese and urban planning. Furthermore, the masterpieces in history will be analyzed and discussed.
The six most famous Chinese cities in history: Changan, Loyang, Nanking, Beijing, Benking (Kaifeng), and Soochow will be discussed. The aforesaid six cities had been the metropolis of various dynasties in Chinese history for several generations, in other words for thousands of years. Therefore, they shall be introduced. Also, we will be able to see the difference of urban planning in each dynasty through the development of the aforesaid six cities.
Finally, we will study urban planning in great detail. For example, the usage of palaces and walls, precincts, primary and secondary frames of a palace and a city, and their lively designs will be discussed.
About the Author
I was born in Taiwan, a country that has kept both traditional Chinese morals and modern technology in the 20th century. Since 1949 AD, Taiwan has gone through several transformations. All of these changes have influenced me in the writing of this book. In 1949, the Chinese government went through a big change, so many Chinese Nationals moved to Taiwan. It was very difficult to unite these aliens and the residents. Furthermore, the land usage has caused many problems. The Land Revolution raised many people from poverty to prosperity overnight, but low education caused land overuse. The Twelve Major Construction Projects made the economics fly. Then the population was concentrated in the metropolitan areas, so the real estate prices rose fast. In recent years, Taiwan has successfully transformed into a technological land. Those sunset industries have moved out of Taiwan, so those spaces have changed into varies kind of computer and IC factories.
The above is what my country has been through since 1949. Following, I had a very wide range of experiences that can be separated into four steps:
First, after I graduated from high school and finished the military, I went to work for an Interior Design firm to gain additional knowledge.
Second, I went back to school again to study in college. After I graduated, I went to work for a Civil Engineering Firm. I was entrusted with the responsibility of doing lab tests, such as, anti-pulling and anti-pressing of steel and concrete and assessment of building deterioration and damage. Later on, I went to work for Construction Consulting Company in the field of traffic project planning. The scope of work was extensive, and includes the exploration and survey of land construction, bridge survey, urban planning and route surveys. I acquired knowledge and experience of construction coordination and planning there.
Afterward, I was not able to learn anything relevant to scenery beautification, geologic preservation, through work; therefore, I went to work for a scenery beautification company. I received the knowledge that I desired there. Then, it is time to move on again: I am immigrating to USA.
My object in writing this book is to help people have a greater understanding of Chinese Ancient City Planning. As a result, my deeper insights, audience may have more broad views and will know that the current urban planning theories have already been known and used by the Chinese several thousand years ago, but war and time have destroyed much of the evidence. The wheel of time will destroy everything in existence. Why? Most existing urban planning is kept for only several decades. If it is more than one century old, it will be treated as a historical site. After several years, many roads, buildings, and public systems have to be changed. Then the original urban planning site will be transformed from what it was several decades or centuries ago, so we get our lessons from the past.