Chinese and Western ancient cities are very different. Compare Chinese and Western ancient cities in terms of city size, function, layout, design, landscape, etc.
Chinese Urban Planning
From the beginning, Chinese cities have had artificial planning. Traditional Chinese urban planning theories can be divided into two major directions: ethical and sociological planning ideas represented by "Zhou Li Kao Gong Ji", and natural views represented by "Guanzi" and later Feng Shui theory. , functional planning theory.
As the most influential work on ancient Chinese urban planning theory, "Zhou Li Kao Gong Ji" has long proposed the basic planning ideas and urban pattern of Chinese cities, especially capitals. It puts forward a series of theories: "Nine square miles, three gates on the side."; "Nine rails on the meridian, nine warps and nine latitudes.", "The ancestors on the left and the society on the right, facing the market outlook." and a series of theories. These theories have always influenced the construction of ancient Chinese cities. Many large cities, especially political cities, were built according to this theory. The most typical cases are Chang'an and Beijing in the Tang Dynasty (Yuan Dynasty and Ming and Qing Dynasties). The clear neighborhood structure and straight streets, as well as city walls and gates all reflect the idea of "ritual" in "Zhou Li Kao Gong Ji" . In these cities, the city itself is no longer just a place where workers live and live. The city has become a "symbol" that represents a social relationship and order. People live in it and are affected by the spatial order day after day. They unknowingly clarify their social positioning. It is not easy to transcend their original positioning. This just meets the needs of governance, so it is not difficult for us to find that the influence of "Zhou Li Kao Gong Ji" is so profound that its shadow can still be seen in many contemporary urban planning.
Compared with the "symbolic" nature of "Zhou Li Kao Gong Ji", traditional Chinese urban planning theory also has a very rational and functionalist side, which is reflected in the book "Guan Zi" and some related works of later generations. In the theory of Feng Shui. "Guanzi" was written during the Warring States Period. It is a famous political work written by later generations under the guise of Tuan Zhong. The book "Guanzi" denies "Zhou Li" in many aspects. In the field of urban planning, "Guanzi" advocates proceeding from reality, not focusing on form, and being informal. It is necessary to "find the right location based on genius" and not be constrained by patriarchal, feudal and ritual systems. Therefore, "the city outline does not need to be in order, and the road does not need to be in line." At the same time, regarding the relationship between cities and mountain and river environmental factors, "Guanzi" also pointed out that "any capital should not be under the mountains, but must be above Guangchuan. The height should not be close to drought, but there is enough water. The bottom should not be close to water, but ditches "Prevention and Provincial Affairs" ("Establishment of Government"). These theories played an important role in the formation and development of Feng Shui theory in later generations.
The influence of Feng Shui theory on Chinese urban planning is undoubtedly important. Putting aside its superstitious aspects, Feng Shui theory reflects the "nature view" aspect of Chinese urban planning theory. Whether it is "harmony between man and nature" or "hidden wind and water", it shows that Chinese cities respect the environment during the site selection and construction process. This respect is based on a scientific attitude rather than "propriety". "Consideration. Historically, the names of "Feng Shui" such as "Kanyu" and "Geography" also prove this point. Although some symbolism symbols often appear in Feng Shui theory, if we study carefully, we can find that these are often the sanctification of a simple view of nature.
If "Zhou Li Kao Gong Ji" has a decisive influence on the planning of China's political big cities, then "Guanzi" and "Feng Shui" theory play a more obvious role in the planning of small and medium-sized cities. Influence. Of course, these two planning ideas are not completely separate. In Chinese history, the planning and construction of many cities reflected both ideas, with typical examples such as Nanjing (before 1949). It can be said that before Western planning ideas were introduced or broke into China, these two ideas had always dominated China's urban planning. Their combined effect created one man-made city after another full of personality.
Western urban planning
Compared with the clear guiding ideology of traditional Chinese urban planning, Western urban planning embodies a kind of diversity and history. We can roughly divide the development of Western cities into several important stages (before the Industrial Revolution): the classical period, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque period. At each stage, Western cities show different morphological characteristics, which not only reflects different planning ideas, but more importantly, reflects a change in social structure. Because cities are the external microcosm of human society.
In ancient Greece and Rome (classical period), the center of the city was a series of large public buildings such as temples, theaters, and arenas. They occupied the core position of the city, while ordinary Residential houses surrounded them, like younger brothers under a big brother. Both Athens and Rome clearly demonstrate this urban structure. It reflects the relationship between gods, rulers and ordinary people at that time. It is not difficult to see the idea of "unity of man and god" in this period, as well as the importance of justice to the society at that time.
Middle Ages Europe was "Dark Europe". During this period, the power of the Catholic Church was overwhelmingly superior. To a large extent, it was superior to all secular rights (including royal power); people were in a state of extreme ignorance, and the ownership of knowledge was controlled by a few. in the hands of the clergy. This is reflected in urban planning. We will find that cities in this period were almost unplanned, and most cities were in a state of spontaneous formation; cities lacked public space for ordinary residents; at the same time, churches were in an absolutely dominant position. , it is often located on the high ground of the city, and its own height is also the dominant point of the city or region where it is located.
Renaissance cities also reflected changes in social thought during that period. With the return of "humanism", people began to reposition their position in society. As the halo of God's servants dimmed, the core position of the church in the city was gradually diluted. The city became more pleasant: the emergence of public venues, the increased status of town halls, and the famous Renaissance-style grand arcades became the hallmarks of European cities in this period. Notable cities include: Florence and Siena.
The next period of Western urban development is: the Baroque period. During this period, many countries in Europe, such as France, were at the most prosperous stage of national power. Just like our country's Tang Dynasty, rulers began to hope to show off the greatness of their royal power and the wealth of their country. As a result, phenomena such as "big squares" and "big palaces" began to appear in urban construction. This "large scale" often plays the role of a "destroyer" in the city. On the one hand, many original buildings must be demolished in order to build them. Some buildings, on the other hand, their grand scale will make the original surrounding buildings look "petite". These big guys are not prepared for ordinary life. The meaning of their existence is "self-expression".
Conclusion
As mentioned at the beginning, this is a "miscellaneous" article written based on inspiration. Comparing urban planning between China and the West is really a big proposition, but when we compare them vertically, we seem to be able to smell some of the flavor of this proposition. Perhaps because of the differences in geographical conditions and political conditions, the development of urban planning in China and the West presents us with an interesting phenomenon. In China, the idea of urban planning was basically formed more than 2,000 years ago, and its subsequent evolution can only be said to be its supplement and improvement. This seems to be consistent with the development history of Chinese philosophy. In the West, planning thinking has undergone great changes over time and space, and it is constantly denying and updating itself. This phenomenon has become more and more obvious after the industrial revolution, which is worthy of our deep thought.
The influence of religious thought on ancient Chinese and Western urban planning
Foreword
When a nation creates its own mythology and religion, it often relates to its own survival and development The most closely related natural force, the environment, is regarded as the primary object of conquest and domination. By analyzing and utilizing the environment, primitive humans finally formed a satisfactory habitat model, which is the prototype of an ideal landscape. It is the ideal landscape model deep in the culture of various ethnic groups formed in the process of environmental adaptation, which triggered intuitive speculations about "divine realm", "fairyland" and "paradise" in mythology and religion, and then attached a whole set of ideas based on various The explanatory system of national cultural psychology.
The relationship between ancient Chinese cities and myths and legends
The fairy mountains in the Kunlun myth and the Penglai myth, the two major sources of Chinese mythology, are ideal realms in people's imagination. Kunlun Mountain and Penglai Mountain as representative. The legendary Xuanpu, Gushe Mountain, Huaguo Mountain, and Mount Xumi in Buddhism all belong to this model. According to the "Book of Mountains and Seas": "Kunlun's Xu is eight hundred miles across and ten thousand ren high... no one but Renyi could climb the rock." "Huainanzi Topography" records: "When digging the ground below Kunlun's Xu, there is the ninth level of Zengcheng. , its height is 1,000 miles, 114 steps, 3 feet and 6 inches. There are wooden stubble on it, and there are five trees on it: pearl tree, jade tree, xuan tree, immortal tree. To the west of it... Dan water, drink it and you will never die.
"Liezi Tangwen" records about the Three Mountains (Five Mountains): "The east of the Bohai Sea is hundreds of millions of miles away... Its mountains are 30,000 miles high and circumferential... The distance between the mountains is 70,000 miles." It can be seen from this that whether it is a legend, The Kunlun Mountains and the Three Mountains (Five Mountains) are all characterized by emphasizing spatial isolation, focusing on reflecting the highness and isolation of the mountains.
This landscape model in Chinese mythology combines the sacred mountain and the sea, showing a pattern of water surrounding mountains. The mountains are complete with plants and buildings. It is a living space with strong safety and a particularly superior ecological environment. This model also established the landscape pattern of "one pond and three mountains" in later Chinese garden architecture. Due to the specific geographical environment and cultural accumulation, the characteristics of ideal landscape models in different cultures are different. China's ideal landscape model focuses on "enclosure" and "hiddenness", and is a model that is attached to nature
Chinese civilization originated in the Yellow River Basin, and the Zhou Dynasty was a finalizing period for its cultural development. During the period of cultural formation, the Zhou tribe mainly lived in the Guanzhong Plain centered on Qishan and west of Chang'an. This area has the Qinling Mountains in the south and the Loess Plateau in the northwest. It is a highly sheltered and defendable space with a good microclimate. It has abundant rainfall in summer, strong sunshine and high thermal radiation, which is conducive to the growth of crops. Judging from the ecological experience and cultural accumulation of this period, the enclosed, resource-rich natural landscape is worthy of attachment and trust, and is a natural shelter for hiding and reliance. Therefore, it was the ideal landscape of the Chinese ancestors. It is a landscape pattern that is attached to nature, hidden, defensive and "introverted".
The relationship between ancient Western cities and mythological and legendary models
The ideal landscape model in ancient Greek myths and legends is represented by Mount Olympus, where the gods live. Mount Olympus "is located in the mountains of Greece, a steep mountain that mortals cannot climb." It has a suitable climate and is covered with exotic flowers and plants. The gods enjoy happiness there. The main god Zeus lives on the top of the steep peak, and the other gods live on the top of each peak. They all occupy important positions in space, emphasizing the possession of commanding heights and the control of visual control points.
European culture originated in the Aegean Sea region, spent its shaping period in the Greek peninsula and the Aegean Sea islands and coastal areas centered on the Aegean Sea, and then spread to the vast areas along the Mediterranean coast. The land where the ancestors of Europe lived was barren, affected by the Mediterranean climate, lacking land and climate suitable for farming, and lacking a self-sufficient natural shelter, which made the act of defending the habitat lose its practical significance. Therefore, European ancestors did not have the soil and space to support a centralized society, and the scarce resources could only maintain scattered small city-states. These city-states were centered on castles occupying commanding heights, and the castles were the gathering places for wealth. Therefore, what Europeans trust in artificially built castles is their trust in their own strength, showing off their strength and intimidation to others when there is no natural shelter to rely on. Therefore, Europeans place more emphasis on the control of commanding heights, which is matched by an outward-looking show-off architectural landscape.
The influence of myths and legends on urban site selection and layout structure
China’s ideal landscape model pursues harmony with nature and prefers to be hidden in shielded structures. Most site selections are in A secluded place away from the world. The so-called "ancient temple hidden deep in the mountains" hides humanities in nature, and the style is relatively peaceful and subtle. Generally, the surrounding natural environment is deliberately maintained. In the construction of Chinese classical gardens, the layout structure of mountains surrounded by water and "one pond and three mountains" is the most prominent. The most concentrated expression is in the construction of royal palaces and gardens: Qin Shihuang built the "Afang Palace" of unprecedented scale, establishing a "fairyland" garden for the first time in Chinese history. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, the "Shanglin Garden" building had the fairy-like artistic conception of "one place and three mountains" as its main theme. Beijing's "Central, South and Beihai" and Nanjing's "Xuanwu Lake" are also products under the guidance of the "one pool and three mountains" idea.
European cities are mostly located in the center of settlements, showing their grandeur in architecture, paying attention to decoration, reflecting the conquest of nature and showing off themselves. The Acropolis of Athens in ancient Greece was built on a steep hilltop platform in the city. The mountain is dangerous. From the Acropolis, you can see the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains. It not only considers the beauty of being in it, but also considers the beauty when looking up from around the Acropolis. The landscape effect shows a strong preference for commanding heights and visual control points.
Summary
As the highest expectation and beautiful ideal for the living environment, each culture has a unique understanding and imagination of the ideal landscape. Myths and religions are the original philosophy and Cosmology is an early cultural thought of mankind, which is closely related to human understanding and experience of life practice in the geographical environment. The ideal life model in myths and legends is the crystallization of early human survival experience and wisdom, and has its irreplaceable value in reality