A comprehension of Feng-shui and its relevance to landscape architecture

Abstract: The Feng-shui theory, although hotly debated since Communism took power in China, currently serves as instrument for landscape evaluation and improvement in the pursuit of an ideal landscape mode for livelihood and eventually for harmony between nature and human being. It has arguably, as guidance, contributed a lot to shaping the ideal landscape, the mode of which, as modeled on Feng-shui, might thus be seen to provide a basic model for the traditional elements of the Chinese built environment, such as city structure, architecture and garden. This thesis attempts to draw attention to issues with regard to the Feng-shui theory from multiple perspectives, including human geography, environmental psychology and Chinese philosophy. Feng-shui stems from the Chinese cosmology and is closely related to the Ying-Yang dualism. It articulates the Chinese space-place relationship and the dread of nature that profoundly affects the pattern of Chinese landscape and architecture. The thesis also conducts a cross-cultural comparison to differentiate the Eastern and the Western landscape styles, especially since the Enlightenment, during which Chinese architectural elements were initially brought to Europe, although the authenticity of these elements has been questioned. The thesis comes to the conclusion that Feng-shui is in essence a kind of genius loci and the understanding of Feng-shui contributes to landscape architectural theory, particularly from an ecological perspective for sustainability.