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.

KEYWORDS:

• Ancient military city
• Shan-Shui environment
• cultural landscape
• historic urban structure
• Yulin City
• northern Shaanxi Province

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China under Grant G2021170008L and Xi’an Jiaotong University under Grant xzy012023089.

Notes on contributors

Yuzhao Zhang

Yuzhao Zhang, PhD, is currently an associate professor in the School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. Her research interests include Chinese historic cities and architecture, and Chinese architectural heritage protection. Some of her recent publications include ‘Chinese Industrial Heritage Historic Records: Shaanxi Volume’ (South China University of Technology Press, 2021, written in Chinese); ‘The Cultural Characteristics of Xi’an Traditional Buildings Effected by Western Culture’ (Industrial Construction, 2021); ‘Revival and Regeneration Strategies in Community Participation Perspective of Xi’an Sanxue Historic District, China’ (19th ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, 2018); and ‘Xi’an Residential Buildings’ (Xi’an Jiaotong University Press, 2017, three volumes, written in Chinese).

Yang Chen

Yang Chen, PhD, is currently a professor in the School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China. Her research interests include Chinese urban heritage protection and reuse, and regional sustainable architecture. Some of her recent publications include ‘Chinese Industrial Heritage Historic Records: Shaanxi Volume’ (South China University of Technology Press, 2021, written in Chinese); ‘Exploring the Activation and Reuse of Industrial Infrastructure Heritage Site Based on Perceived Value and Characteristic: The Reuse and Renovation of the Xi’an Wastewater Treatment Plant’ (New Architecture, 2019, written in Chinese); ‘Revival and Regeneration Strategies in Community Participation Perspective of Xi’an Sanxue Historic District, China’ (19th ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, 2018); ‘Xi’an Residential Buildings’ (Xi’an Jiaotong University Press, 2017, three volumes, written in Chinese).

Mark A. Hoistad

Mark A. Hoistad, AIA, over the course of his career, has had the opportunity to design projects of varying scales on five different continents. Over the last decade, his efforts have been focused on China, where he has been engaged in both academic and professional domains. Academically, Professor Hoistad has taught both studio and urbanism seminars at Xi’an Jiaotong, Chongqing, and Tianjin universities, having been named adjunct faculty at the first two universities. He has also been invited to deliver several keynote addresses at academic conferences on various topics. Professionally, Mark Hoistad has engaged in a range of conceptual and schematic design projects, working with firms in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. These projects, following his broad interests in sustainable urbanism, have pursued the renewal of cultural urban landscapes, the ecological planning of riverfronts, and exploring new forms of urbanism.

Rui Jiang

Rui Jiang graduated with a master’s degree in architecture from Xi’an Jiaotong University and Politecnico di Milano in 2021, and currently works as an architectural designer at Poly (Sichuan) Investment and Development Co., Ltd. Her research interests include urban protection and renewal, and traditional Chinese residential buildings. Some of her publications include ‘The Significance of Chongqing Stilted-house for Modern Architectural Reconstruction’ (Journal of Asia Institute of Low Carbon Design, 2020); and ‘A Discussion on the Present Situation and Future Direction of the Right to the City and the Urban Commons Based on the Analysis of Xiaozhai Business District’ (Journal of Asia Institute of Urban Environment, 2019).