Cognition and Inheritance

In this Chapter, Cognition and Inheritance, examines how ancient cities developed enduring regional landscape systems through a deep understanding of nature and strategic human intervention. In periods marked by limited technological capacity and frequent challenges, such as flooding, warfare, and population growth—city builders reorganized regional Shanshui (mountain–water) conditions to create resilient landscape systems that provided ecological support, disaster mitigation, and long-term spatial stability. Through detailed analyses of Suzhou’s ancient water network and the construction of Kunming Lake and Beijing’s urban water system, the chapter demonstrates how water management functioned as a critical medium shaping urban form, resource circulation, and cultural identity. It further highlights traditional Chinese concepts such as Tianren Heyi (unity of humanity and nature) and learning from nature as foundational principles linking urban space with regional landscapes. In response to contemporary challenges of rapid urbanization and cultural homogenization, the chapter argues for the renewed recognition and inheritance of regional landscape systems as a strategic framework for resilient, culturally grounded, and sustainable urban development.