Sustainability approaches to Chinese landscape architecture

Abstract

Parks, gardens, and recreation areas play a vital role since they significantly improve the overall health of citizens, help meet people's needs for social interaction, and provide residents with safe outdoor activities in a green environment, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. China has a rich cultural heritage, namely, sustainable national reserves, parks, and gardens. Despite numerous studies dedicated to the sustainability of landscape architecture, there is a lack of research on sustainability approaches to Chinese landscape architecture, including the historical background. By way of the qualitative comparative analysis of several Chinese parks, the study revealed that Chinese traditional and modern landscape design and construction correspond to six sustainability approaches to landscape architecture: environment, economic, equity, aesthetics, experience, and ethics. The methods and results of the study can be applied by scientists to research sustainability approaches to landscape architecture in other countries and regions.