The Beijing Youth Daily attracted many telephone calls
from readers when on February 2 it published an article entitled
"Do Artificial Flowers and Landscape Features Beautify Cities or
Are They Superfluo". The article had criticized the artificial
landscaping features appearing along the streets and lanes of the
capital and its readers agreed. And it wasn't just the specialists
and environmentalists who wished to air their displeasure at this
particular cultural vacuum but also the ordinary people of Beijing
who aren't often asked for their views on such matters.
That fact that ordinary urban residents are now showing their
resentment to the new ambiance is an expression of a maturing
public aesthetic perspective that the landscape designers would be
wise not to ignore. The city dwellers of today are eager to live in
more natural, environmentally friendly and artistically endowed
townscapes.
After all what kind of urban landscapes do we actually need?
This is a very searching question to be answered through the
professional evaluation of the experts and scholars in the field.
However the kind of landscapes that we don't need can be easily
understood by the man in the street. And the people of Beijing can
come up with examples of what they feel they do not need nor want
like a supposedly refined residential area, which has its streets
flanked by poor quality artificial coconut palms. Then there are
the streets lined with artificial peach trees and grasses
apparently to give them a festive air not to mention a poorly
executed figure of a giant panda stuck right in the center of a
roundabout.
Poorly designed and cheaply made, such unwelcome urban features
lack historical continuity and cultural atmosphere. The do not add
to the beauty of our cities. On the contrary they can upset the
natural charm and harmony and become objects of ridicule.
The new trend towards artificial landscape features seems to
have its roots in urban design departments that do not regard urban
landscaping as an important area requiring careful cultural and
technical attention.
Many developed countries have a well-established body of
professional knowledge on urban landscaping backed up by a wealth
of sound practical experience. They have mechanisms in place for
prior consultation on such aspects of urban design as: overall
layout, local cultural characteristics, architecture and
gardens.
Such countries seldom see artificial flowers and trees planted.
There would seem to be a need to introduce more rigorous procedures
in China with experts investigating proposals and consulting the
local residents. On their own, good intentions may be just not
quite good enough.
Beijing with its long history is one of the world's great
cities. However over the years some of its traditional charm has
been eroded and important cultural relics have disappeared. A new
modern capital is evolving against a background of huge economic
development. Such times have a major impact on the urban landscape
and even small changes to the character of the city should proceed
with caution under the watchful eye of public scrutiny so that they
might better stand the test of time. These are times during which
the various departments involved may wish to review and reform
their decision-making mechanisms.
What do you think? Should the public be consulted more? Should
artificial landscaping be stopped? Perhaps you like artificial palm
trees! Drop us a line at
Comments on China's Environment.
(China.org.cn by Li Jingrong February 16, 2004)