The Research Of "Li Fang" System

Li Fang system, as the basic unit of settlement, profoundly impact on the overallplanning of ancient settlements. While as the the primary political organization, thenation manage and control the people by it. At present, the academic circles researchon the Li Fang system limited by isolated analysis on single discipline. They haven’tcarry out the interdisciplinary research which Li Fang system research related to intodepth. The systemic research on the space form and organizational structure of LiFang system not only has important historical significance on making up the lack ofthe research of neighbourhood system and the settlement history, but also has practicalsignificance on urban planning and local management. In addition, the fort-typesettlement as the country remains of Li Fang system, has great similarity with Li Fangsystem in aspects of space and management system. So beginning the research on thefort-type settlement, and comparing with the Li Fang system is an important path totaking Li Fang system into depth. Currently, the traditional fort-type settlements are indanger to be destructed. This comprehensive and systematic research is urgent andnecessary.Firstly, with historical documents, this thesis clarify the concept of Li Fangsystem from neighbourhood system, habitation form, administrative organization. Ittrace the formation, development, maturity, evolution historical develop process of LiFang system. The study discussing Li Fang system focus on two aspects which are"residential space form" and "primary social organization". It reveal the deep meaningin architecture and sociology. And It compare the architecture meaning betweensociology meaning of Li Fang system from three aspects which are the social structurelevel and the Li Fang layout of geographical space, Li Fang system and the militarysystem, Li Fang system and land policy. Then it profoundly analyze the social,political, economic and cultural underlying factors. Secondly, with the archaeologicalfindings and historical data, this thesis analyze and speculate the plan layout, spatialcharacteristics and the road structure of Li Fang system. And it anatomy the modularrelations between Li Fang and the city overall layout. Then it revealed the layoutprinciples of Li Fang in the ancient capital from the aspect of design method. Finally,illustrated by the cases of Shanxi, Hebei existing fort-type settlements, the thesiscompare the architectural form and management system of fort-type settlement and LiFang, in order to fully demonstrate the historical relationship between fort-typesettlement and the Li Fang system.This study clearly point out that Li Fang system has two meanings ofarchitectural and sociology. The architectural form of Li Fang system disintegrate by agradual process. There is no unity time of disintegration. And Li Fang system stillremains as fort-type settlement in some villages or towns. While, the sociologicalaspects of Li Fang system, as primary management system, has been extended toQing Dynasty, and even to the period of the Republic of China. This shows that the LiFang system has not really vanish. Only if the settlement needs the form or system formanagement or defence, this form or system will permanently exist.