Indexed by:Article

First Author:Wenjian Pan*

Journal:Blue-Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Urban Settlements

Affiliation of Author(s):School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Place of Publication:United Kingdom

Discipline:Engineering

First-Level Discipline:Architecture

Document Type:M

Page Number:167-191

ISSN No.:978-3-031-62293-9

Key Words:Feng Shui; Blue-green infrastructure; Urban heat and flooding; Nature-based solutions; Soft intervention; Urban resilience

Date of Publication:2024-08-28

Abstract:Not only are cities confronting risks from global warming, but there are also multiple ecological challenges to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly increasing urban heat island effects, more frequent heat waves, and the threat of flood hazards. However, blue-green infrastructure (BGI) plays a crucial role in mitigating these risks while maintaining the normal operation of cities. Feng Shui, a theorization of Chinese ancients’ habitation experiences, offers an approach to interacting with nature and complying with the laws of natural eco-systems. It has provided many philosophical thoughts and scientific guidance on making habitats resilient in the face of environmental changes and multi-hazards. Using Hong Village as a standard application model for Feng Shui, this chapter reinterprets the naturally adaptable principles in Feng Shui and analyzes how its passive strategies can be adopted in dwelling systems. It finds that Feng Shui advocates co-developing with nature and treats human habitats as an organic living system that is interlinked with surrounding environments. Specifically, it emphasizes flowing air (Feng) and flowing water (Shui) as two fundamental natural elements to be integrated into construction activities, which can contribute to the accumulation and circulation of energies, resources, and dynamics. As such, a balance between humans’ activities and the natural processes is critical in Feng Shui, making it a useful philosophy for this context. Based on these reinterpretations, the present chapter establishes a multi-scalar framework for scientific modeling and modern applications. Ultimately, the Cheonggyecheon urban restoration project in South Korea and the Yanweizhou ecological rehabilitation project in China are taken as two successful modern cases to showcase integrations of Feng Shui principles into BGIs in contemporary cities, and they aim to adapt to the emerging challenges of increasing urban heat and flood hazards, respectively. To conclude, a few nature-based, and soft intervention-oriented approaches are outlined for the construction and rehabilitation of BGIs to strengthen urban resilience and achieve the long-term goals of sustainable development.

Number of Words:10000

Links to published journals:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62293-9_7