A study on the landscape and cultural space of Yulin City, China

Abstract

Urban growth in China over the past 40 years has increased sharply. Following a modernist approach during this period, the historic urban cultural landscape was neglected. Recently, in response, scholars have been investigating alternative approaches whose conceptual roots spring from traditional Chinese urban planning. The theory of the ‘Science of Human Settlement Environment’ has emerged as a framework for exploring this direction. This research, drawing upon literary records, historic city maps, and field investigations, builds on this approach. Yulin City, initially developed as a high-ranking military city during the Ming Dynasty, drew upon the characteristics of the existing landscape and traditional Chinese planning strategies for its design. Noting the relationship of the city’s layout to its surrounding Shan-Shui (Mountain-Water), the development of its principal axis, the influence of the Tuo Mountain spiritual space, and the definition of the city wall, greater insight into traditional Chinese planning can be learned.