SQUARED BLOCK AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION:A CASE STUDY ON SOCIAL SPACE OF LUOYANG CITY IN THE NORTHERN WEI DYNASTY
"Square Block"is a planning protocol first invented in the Northern Wei Dynasty when the Pingcheng City was expanded as its capital.The method was later morphed into the famous Lifang System.The design imperative of the Square Block was to ensure social segregation of different social classes.But the fact that the ruling class-the Xianbei ethnic group from north China-was implementing its policy to resettle in city proper led to a congenial environment that actually tolerated mixed-living of different social classes.According to historical literature,the residents of the Luoyang City at that time could be divided into four social classes.Through an in-depth analysis of the"Notes on Buddhist Temples in Luoyang",the author finds that although the Square Block map has clearly divided the urban neighborhoods following a unified plan,almost all areas in the city had mixed social class dwellings,with class differentiation within a Lifang being greater than that between Lifangs.This phenomenon is known to be attributed to Xianbei ruling elites'willingness to merge into the local culture and community.The practice of such spatial integration of different social classes and ethnic groups has much to do with ruling elites'policy to settle locally.As we move into an era of more extensive and profound urbanization,how to properly make use of urban design and public policy to ensure urban safety as well as urban social integration has become a more and more pressing issue.Hopefully,the case of Luoyang City in the Northern Wei Dynasty could offer some useful reference.
Luoyang City in the Northern Wei DynastySquare Blocksocial stratificationsocial integrationLifangresidential space differentiation
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