ABSTRACT
Urban form is an extremely complex synthesis in any culture. This chapter proposes a theoretical model for both understanding Chinese urban form and guiding future development in respect of traditional spatial qualities and social relations. Through typomorphology, the aim is to understand the persistent features of spaces, which are important for the emotional and psychological tie between local residents and the space, and then can be reapplied to new forms to sustain such a connection. Sources on historical urban transformation in China can be found in general authoritative histories, provincial and city gazetteers, as well as specialised gazetteers, which are encyclopaedic-like sources categorising changes of major elements of Chinese urban form (Gaubatz), for instance, road and transportation, housing construction, temples and other important public buildings. The categorised textural information available is complementary to maps and plans to reveal historical transformation of some important elements of Chinese urban form.
