The Cities of Song China I

Urban Governance
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-66693-8
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd (Sales)

Buch, Englisch, 330 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 640 g

Reihe: China Perspectives

This first volume of a two-volume set on Song Dynasty cities examines the innovative urban institutions and management practices that emerged during this period.

The book compares the urban landscape and administrative system in the Song Dynasty with those of the Tang Dynasty. It challenges the conventional view that the transition from Tang to Song marked a shift from an enclosed ward system to a relatively open, compartmentalized system. Instead, it argues for a significant transformation of the ward system rather than its complete disappearance. The study examines the establishment of urban firefighting systems based on the concept of the "Corner", and analyzes the flourishing of urban markets under various forms of control and restriction. It also discusses the challenges posed by the emergence of a liberal commodity economy within traditional Chinese society.

This volume will be essential reading for scholars and students of Chinese history and urban studies, as well as urban planners, historians, and policy-makers interested in understanding historical approaches to urban development and management.

Zielgruppe

Academic, General, Postgraduate, Undergraduate Advanced, and Undergraduate Core

Autoren/Hrsg.

Weimin, Bao

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Geschichte einzelner Länder Asiatische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Mentalitäts- und Sozialgeschichte

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1.Introduction: Criticism on the academic history of urban studies of Tang and Song China Part 1 The scale, type and characteristic of the cities 2. The origin of China’s ancient cities: fortress and markets 3. The quantity and allocation of administrative cities 4. The hierarchy of administrative cities 5. The scale of urban areas 6. The layout of urban areas Part II Administrative system 7. Ward system in Tang Dynasty 8. Compartment system Part III The city markets 9. The city markets in the Tang Dynasty 10. The city markets in the Song Dynasty

Über Autor(innen)

Bao Weimin is Professor at the School of History, Renmin University of China. His research focuses on the history of the Song Dynasty, traditional Chinese economic history, and the history of China’s Southeast region.