A Discussion on Content and Methodology of City Landscape

Abstract

Starting from comments on parks, this article discusses some common problems of city landscape. It argues that strategies and methodology of landscape design should consider four aspects: constantly changing intension of landscape, aesthetic significance beyond function, respect for nature and emotional landscape design. So far I have given an interview to South China Daily on problems in design and management of parks in Guangzhou and how to make them better. On the whole, these parks have much space for improvement. Lack of culture and local characteristics, functionalism and crude design have made parks an unpopular place, especially for young people. Not only parks in Guangzhou but also most parks in Chinese cities share the same problems, and criticism on Chinese parks leads to thoughts beyond park itself. These common difficulties which are easily been classified as substantial issue are in fact reflection of social culture. I'd like to take park issues as a start of the discussion on content and design problems of city landscape.