The Trade-off between Safety and Development:Research on the Evolution of Urban Layout in Yangchun County during the Ming and Qing Dynasties
During the Ming and Qing dynasties,Yangchun County,situated in the mountainous areas of western Guangdong,always faced two major problems of safety and development caused by the special geographical environment.On the one hand,the vast mountainous region in this county often became stronghold for various dangers,which threatened the safety of the main agricultural areas of the county frequently.Therefore,as a regional center,the urban defense system of the city must be stable for a long time.On the other hand,the natural conditions of the river valley where the county located are conducive to agricultural production,The developed agricultural economy led to population growth and the prosperity of handicrafts and commerce.Therefore,the urban block must continue to expand.In response to the demands for safety and development,Yangchun County was strengthened rampart to protect the safety command center by the official,while allowing the block outside the rampart to develop freely and form a new economic center.Ultimately,a"dual center"city system was formed with the city walls as the boundary,achieving a temporary balance between safety and development.
Ming and Qing dynastiesYangchun countySafetydevelopment