Chinese history and civilisation : an urban perspective / Victor Fung-Shuen Sit, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Xue, Fengxuan, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Cities and towns--Growth--History.

Cities and towns.

Cities and towns--Growth.

History.

Civilization.

China--Civilization.

China.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xliv, 397 pages : illustrations, maps ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Singapore ; Hackensack, NJ : World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd, , [2021]

Summary:

"The emergence of a city marks the beginning of a civilisation. The city, especially the leading cities of a country, is also where the major features of a country are contained and where historical events play out. This book introduces readers to the progress of China's civilisation over more than 5000 years of history, through the rise and development of its cities. From the prehistoric Yangshuo and Longshan periods all the way to the People's Republic, this book outlines major events and developments to highlight the evolution of the Chinese civilisation. Using historical dynasties and urban dynamics as vertical dimensions, it examines major historical events, economic developments, territorial changes, and other developments over China's long history. It also discusses the uniqueness of China's history and compares its civilisations to Western experiences"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note: Local Origin of the Chinese

Diversity of Early Cultures

When did China Cross the Threshold of Civilisation?

Early Cultures Before the Advent of Civilisation

Settlements in Late Yangshao

A. Jiangzhai I

B. Dadiwan IV

C. Proto-city

Nature of the Proto-City

City-state Concept

City-States in Western Ancient Civilisations

A. City-states in ancient Egypt

B. City-states in Mesopotamia

Society in Longshan Period

Longshan Settlements and Cities

A. City Structure and Function

Conclusion: Urban Civilisation of the Longshan Period

Xia Dynasty Set the Foundation for China's Civilisation

Xia Dynasty Seen From Ancient Texts and Archaeological Finds

A. King List and Major Historical Events

B. Territorial Composition of the Empire

Xia Opened a New Era in Chinese Civilisation

A. Start of the Bronze Age

B. Rite and Music System and the Hereditary Empire

Xia's Spatial Organisation and Urban System

A. The Core

B. The Periphery

Xia Urban civilisation As reflected by the capital city Erlitou

A. Erlitou

B. The Audience Hall and Ancestral Temple

C. Craft and Commoners Quarters

D. Other Cities

Conclusion: First Hereditary State in Chinese Civilisation

A. Xia Dynasty was a Real Existence

B. From Grand Harmony to a Well-off Feudal Society

C. Hereditary Feudal Empire and Capital City Planning

First Dynasty with Surviving Written History

Shang State and Shang Civilisation

A. Early Shang: Xiaqiyuan Culture

B. Shang's King List, Patrilineal Succession

Ruling Philosophy, Society, Administrative System and Territory of Shang

A. The Benevolent Monarch

B. Territorial Extent and Composition

C. Administration and Military Arrangement

D. Economy, Taxation, Currency, Trade and Code of Law

E. Bronze Metallurgy and its Spread

Shang Urban Development

A. Urban System in Erligang

B. Urban System in Late Shang (Yinxu)

Conclusion: Feudalism that Characterised Chinese Urban Civilisation

Historical Watershed in Chinese Civilisation

Zhou State and its Ideology

A. Feudal System

B. Zhou Territory and Bureaucracy

C. Zong Fa System and the New State Religion

D. Well-field System and Town and Country Divide

Laws, Canons, Institutions, and Education

A. Five Classics

B. Education to Civilise: the System and its Curriculum

"Kao Gong Ji" and Chinese City Planning

A. Principles, Procedures, and the Ideal Layout

B. Wang Cheng - the Imperial City

Feudalism Replaced By New Centralism - The Iron Age

New Urbanism in Eastern Zhou and Warring States

A. Linzi

B. Qufu

Conclusion: Formalised Chinese City form

New Imperial Dynasty and the Notion of 'China'

New Administrative and Economic Setting

Urbanisation and the City in the Han

Han Dyasty City Structure

A. Changan

B. Luoyang

C. Linzi

D. Wan

E. Chengdu

F. Handan

Conclusion

From Fragmentation to Great Unity

Tang Government System and Society

Urbanisation and City Growth in the Tang

A. New Metropolises in South China

B. Canal Cities

C. Cities along the Yangtze

D. Seaport Cities in the Southeast

E. Administrative and Military Cities

Tang Dynasty City Structure

B. Luoyang (Capital of Bei Wei)

C. Guangling (Yangzhou)

D. Panyu (present day Guangzhou)

Introduction: New Heights in Chinese Civilisation

Characteristics of Song Society

A. Decline of Military Prowess

B. Ascendance of Civilian Officials and Revival of Confucianism

C. The Mercantile State

Urbanisation Dynamics in the Song

A. Growth of the Urban Economy

B. Emergence of Commercial Townships and 'Grass Markets'

C. Growth of Riverside, Coastal and Frontier Urban Centres

A New Urban Society

A. New Urban Capitalist Class

B. Emergence of the Urban Masses

C. Change in Urban Function and Urban-rural Relationship

Key Cities within the Chinese Geographical Space (970-1279 AD)

A. Kaifeng

B. Linan (Present Day Hangzhou)

C. Pingjiang (Present Day Suzhou)

D. Mingzhou (Present day Ningbo)

E. Cities in Xi Xia, Liao and Jin

Conclusion: Innovations Led to Development in Civilisation

Urban Civilisation Downturn in the Yuan

A. Yuan Succeeded Song, Yet Chinese Civilisation Persisted Under Duress

B. Pro-Mongol Discrimination Hurt Cultural and Economic Development

C. Urban Development Tilted Towards South China

Ming: Revival of Chinese Civilisation and Self-Esteem

A. Military Prowess and Territorial Security

B. Revival of "Rule by Virtue", Education and "State of Rituals and Righteousness"

C. Economic Development

Urbanisation in the Ming

Ming City Examples

A. Nanjing

B. Beijing

C. Linqing

D. Datong

Conclusion: Chinese Civilisation Resurged

Qing Dynasty: Watershed in Chinese History

A. Manchu Rule: Another Example of Integration with Frontier Minorities

B. Revenge for the Ming Emperor: Unity of Han and Non-Han Peoples

C. Neo-Confucian Policies: Agriculture, Righteous Rule and Education

Qing Urbanisation, Period I: Traditional Urbanism

A. Dynamics of Urban Growth

B. Neo-Confucianism

Qing Urbanism: Period II - Coming of Western Influences

A. Influence of Western Powers

B. Urbanisation Under Western Sway

C. New City Types Impacted by Western Influence

D. Other Modern Cities and the Spatial Pattern of Urbanisation

City Examples

A. Guangzhou

B. Xi'an

C. Hankou

D. Shanghai

Conclusion: Conflict of Civilisations between China and Western Powers

A. Neo-Confucianism in Early Qing

B. Warning Call for Chinese Civilisation

Search for Solution to China's Modern Problems

Socialist Approach of the PRC (1949-1981)

A. Mao Zedong led His People Back on Their Feet

B. Cities as Containers of the New Chinese Civilisation

C. Role of the City Under China's Socialism

Urbanisation Process before the Opening and Reform, 1949-1981

A. Definition of City and Township and a New Planned Development

B. Impact of the Great Leap Forward

C. Impact of the Cultural Revolution

Maoist Urban Civilisation (1949-1981)

A. Massive Organised Migrations

B. 'Production First; Livelihood Second'

C. Functional Transformation of the City

D. The City-Region

E. Socialist Elements in the Planning of the Internal Structure of the City

Transition to Socialist-Market Economy (1981-Date)

A. Post Cold War Opening and Reform

B. A New Stage of Globalisation

C. Emergence of Extended Metropolitan Regions

D. Shenzhen: the Transitional City

Peaceful Reemergence: 2005 and after

Conclusion: A New Page of Chinese Urban Civilisation

City and Civilisation

The Evolution of China's Urban Civilisation

A. From Round Moated Settlements to the Emergence of Civilisation in Longshan Cities

B. Sandai: Establishment of Rule of Righteousness and Following Music and Rituals

C. Confucianism from Han to Qing dynasties

D. The Five Axes of Chinese Civilisation

Changes in the Traditional Chinese City

Deliberation on Contemporary Direction of Chinese Civilisation

1. Characteristics of Chinese Civilisation

2. Capabilities of Chinese Civilisation to Respond to Challenges

3. Discourse on Conflict of Civilisation and 'End of History'

4. The China Model: Beijing Consensus

Chinese Cultural Renaissance

A. Improving the Path of Sustainable Development: Party Discipline, Rule of Law and Spatial Connectivity-

B. One Belt One Road Initiative and 'Community of Shared Future for Mankind'.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9789811214479

9811214476

OCLC:

1224043303

Publisher Number:

99989037418