A Study Of The Collapse Of Fang-shi Urban Planning System From Tang To Song Dynasty

During the Tang and Song Dynasties’ period, dramatic changes of all areas occurred in China, marking the edge of transitions to the pre-modern era. As for the change in urban structure and management, the Fang-shi planning system (known for its enclosed residential unit, namely fang and separate commercial space, shi), after centuries of succession and adoption, reached to its height in Chang’an in early Tang Dynasty, but was eventually replaced by a more open Jie-shi planning system(know for its unstructured blocks and streets)., with the impact of profound social changes in late Tang and Five Dynasties period. Naturally, scholars have long been devoted to the explanation of such drastic urban transformation in Tang and Song, yet there are still divergences as to the courses of the change, and there are still room for further discussions on the causes. On the basis of a full review of previous studies, solid historical documents and excavated data and a multidisciplinary perspective, the author attempts to rediscuss the core questions relevant to the urban change.Introduction part. The author, in a chronological order, thoroughly reviews the previous studies concerning the theme of Fang-shi planning system and herein points out the problems and deficiencies among them. Due to the inuniformity in angles and standards, there are huge difference as to the timing of the course. Besides, there are strong tendancies in overestimating commercial factors in the change of urban planning and meanwhile neglecting all other potential reasons. Thus, the paper follows the clues hinted in the epitaphs, and mainly centers on the rise and fall of the newly-created official positions, namely Jieshi(street supervisor) and Xunshi(urban inspector), so as to uncover the course and background of the collapse.Chapter one, titled as the Formation and Development of the Fang-shi Urban Planning System, firstly introduces the Li Planning System(known as the prototype of Fang-shi System), which is prevalent in the pre-Qin and Qin-Han period. Then in a clear order, the evolution process of Li System to Fang-shi System from Wei-Jin to Sui-Tang Dynasties is revealed. Particularly, the urban layout and adminstative system of Chang’an is detailedly analyzed so that the initial state of Fang-shi System can be certified.The second chapter, which is supposed to be the innovative part of the paper, is mainly about Jieshi and Xunshi, namely the newly-created official positions in Mid-Tang Dynasty. In combing relevant documented literature as well as epitaphs, the author triumphly clarifies their setting background, nomination manner, staff composition, and duty scope and etc. And in this way the collapsing course of Fang-shi System is clearly revealed.The next chapter concerns about the Collapsing Course of Fang-shi Planning System from Tang to Song Dynasty. In sorting out the gradual collapsing forms, the author further divides the collapsing process into four stages. The first stage initiates from early Tang and lasts till the breakout of Anshi Rebellion(around AD 755-763), when the inner space of Fang(neighborhood) starts to be disrupted by grand estates and high-rise temples and abbeys, and Shi(market) begins to be adapted into residing space. Jieshi and Xunshi, approximately emerging as newly-set officials during Emperor Gaozong and Emperess Wuzetian’s reign, already participates into the regular regulation of Capital Chang’an, yet only as a supporting force. Jieshi and Xunshi are not fixed positions that occupy major roles in the maintenance of Fang-shi System until the coming of Emperor Xuanzong’ ruling. The second stage extends all the way to the end of Tang Dynasty, when the breaking of walls and the encroaching of outer streets rise to be the major forms of the collapse. However, the time-telling street drums and the curfew routines still operate well, with themselves being signs that the Fang-shi System still exists. As can be seen, a mass number of officials are titled as Jieshi or Xunshi, all striving to hold back the trend.In the third stage, roughly around Five Dynasties Period, the Shi System survivied in late Tang Dynasty is not rejuvenated due to the shiftover of capital and the constant social instability. The intact layout of Fang System, of course, was not applied in the reconstruction of Luoyang, Late Zhou Dynasty (AD 923-936), yet the insistance in recovering Fang-shi System is still obvious for the frequent commitment of Jieshi or Xunshi. Fang System comes to its end in the upcoming Late Zhou Dynasty period, itself marked by the legitimacy of street encroachment from the authority. The final stage is around early Northern Song Dynasty to Emperor Renzong’s reign. Fang-shi System is, to some extent, restored by the new power in its captital Dongjing(Today’s Kaifeng city), yet soon falls into downright collapse again. A new executive body, Xiang(a large adminstrative entity than Fang and Shi) comes into being, and proclaims the arrival of Jie-shi era. Naturally, Jieshi and Xunshi are hardly to be found in any documented literature or excavated materials during this time.Chapter Four is centered around the Causes for the Collapse of Fang-shi Urban Planning System from Tang to Northern Song Dynasties. The author elaborates that the limitations of Fang-shi Planning System, the expansion of Commerce, the swelling of Population, and the rising of civil culture should anwser for the change. Noteworthily, in illustrating the poplation factor, the frequently floating population needs special attention.From the above chapters, the courses and causes of the drastic change in urban planning system during Tang and Song dynasties have, to a large extent, been clarified. In a word, in the coming of Mid-Song Dynasty, the once popular Fang-shi Planning system eventurally collapsed, and in its wake was a more open, prosperous era of pre-modern uban system.