The Research On Spatial Pattern Of Bell & Drum Towers Historical Site In Historic Cultural City

Being considered as the crystallization of Chinese people's intelligence, and symbol of Chinese culture, Chinese ancient buildings deserve adequate protection and research. Due to the specific functional and formal characteristic of the ancient buildings, it's impractical to retain their functionality for most of them, especially those ancient public buildings widely spread among cities. However, one special case would be the bell and drum towers commonly distributed among ancient cities. Each and every single bell and drum tower in different cities might be distinguished by age and position, as well as architectural forms, their main function and formation remains similar and sustained. This is very special and unique among the history of ancient Chinese architecture.Cities in China have evolved significantly in the past 60 years since the establishment of the country. During 1950s to 1960s, many ancient public buildings like ancient walls, gate towers, bell and drum towers, archways and old town were dismantled all around the country to clear spaces for industry. After the reform and open-up, although it's been given valuable attention to the protection of cultural heritage and historic cities, the damage to historic relic, ancient buildings and ancient towns was unprecedented due to the mainstream of economy growth and modernization. There are only a few bell and drum towers managed to survive. According to relative statistics, there are about 30 cities among the country kept their bell and drum towers.The survived bell and drum towers have become, or are in process of becoming the important symbol of the city. When the historic cultural cities draw up urban overall planning and urban design, bell & drum towers historical site are much focused protection. There are many valuable experience worth to be learnt in the future construction, as well as some inadequacies need to be improved.Summed up experience from massive investigation, survey and analysis, this dissertation is aiming for being somehow helpful for the future construction at the bell and drum tower section.