Research On The Use Of Decorative Symbols Of The Yi Ethnic Minority Of Liang Shan In The Design Of Public Facilities

Urban public facilities share an intimate relation with the daily lives of people. Apart from achieving their primary function, the design of the facilities should embody the spiritual culture and express the artistic content specific to the area. Moreover, they should also reflect the distinctive features of the city, as well as its general aesthetic style. In the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, the cities and towns have always possessed distinctive regional characteristics and cultural marks. Yet, when urban areas are developed in Liangshan Prefecture, streets are widened, tall buildings are pulled out of every corner, and the old parts of the town are completely transformed into new areas, so that we can't see anymore the specifically local character of the area. This happens to such extent that cities and towns in ethnic minorities area are increasingly without any distinction from those located in other areas; if things keep on going this way, we can but wonder at what will remain of our own culture in the near future. Through systemic theory this essay is analyzing the characteristics of the Yi traditional culture, from which its most representative symbols will be deduced. They will then be used in the practical design of urban public facilities.This essay is divided into two parts:firstly, an initial research on the Yi symbols that incarnate the regional culture; secondly, a practical design work. Altogether, the essay consists in five chapters:after an introduction, the second and the third chapter present a rational classification of the motifs and colours used in lacquerware, clothes and architecture that are typical to the Yi minority, from which a systemic classification is also produced. On these analysis will be based the design of urban facilities that express specifically local characteristics. The fourth chapter, directly following from the results of the work done up to now, is putting forward the theoretical possibilities of integration of cultural symbols into the design of urban public facilities. The fifth chapter is then proposing various designs and models of urban public facilities that are of a practical interest.