Research on the Local Ideology of Site Selection and Planning Layout in Ancient Capitals of China

Author: Huang Jianzhuang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Ancient Chinese capitals are an important part of China's historical and cultural heritage. Ancient Chinese capitals were often built after careful site selection and planned layout, and early use of planning diagrams ensured their orderly and aesthetically pleasing arrangement. The selection of a capital involved a comprehensive consideration of political, military, economic, geographical location, terrain, water resources, transportation, and other factors. The planning and layout philosophy of ancient Chinese capitals were products of China's traditional philosophical system and cultural traditions, with the core concept being "harmony between heaven and humanity." This means using the material form and layout of the capital to reflect a ritual order of the celestial and human realms, striving for harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity. As a result, ancient Chinese capitals were often centered around the imperial palace, employing axes and symmetry to reinforce the supreme authority of the emperor. The selection and planning of ancient Chinese capitals were influenced by multiple ideologies. Although the Rites of Zhou·Record of King Kao was written later, its descriptions reflect the construction system of the Western Zhou capital. This was a city construction system characterized by hierarchical ranks and ritual governance, adapted to the feudal system of the time. In summary, the external appearance of a city and its site selection and layout are the result of the integrated influence of various factors such as socio-economic conditions, cultural traditions, and geographical environments under specific historical circumstances. The unique Eastern cultural connotations demonstrated by ancient Chinese capitals, which differ from those of ancient Western cities, have a historical sequence of development. This process involves both the inheritance of tradition, continuous innovation, and constraints from actual conditions, making it extremely complex. This paper aims to systematically organize the indigenous thoughts on the selection and planning of ancient capitals in Chinese history from a fresh perspective, in order to facilitate urban planning today.