A Study On The Design And Planning Of Public Space In Wenchuan’s Post-Earthquake Reconstruction

Post-disaster reconstruction is an important part of the national disaster reduction and prevention system. In particularly,post-earthquake reconstruction is the most complex and integrated type of post-disaster reconstruction. 5.12 Wenchuan Earthquake is the largest earthquake in China since 1976. In some sense,the reconstruction of affected cities after the earthquake has a monumental impact on both the disaster reduction and prevention system and urban planning disciplines in China.Spatial restructuring(especially the reorganization of public spaces) in Wenchuan after the earthquake has greatly influenced by the “1+10” tasks of post-earth reconstruction formulated by the state. Public spaces plays an very important role in post-earthquake reconstruction. It is the carrier and tie of all reconstruction tasks. It is also the starting point and ending point of urban space’s restoration and reconstruction. Based on related research and case studies,this research indicates that safety,memorial and tourism are three main characteristics of public spaces in post-earthquake reconstruction,from the angles of urban design,community disaster science,contingency and inevitability,and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory.The co-existing of the three main characteristics in newly-constructed public spaces is the result of the integration and opposition of necessity and contingency. They also reflect people’s material and spiritual needs after the earthquake. Safety is the basic characteristics of the newly established spatial structure,especially public spaces. Due to the demand of human emotion and economic development, memorial and tourism become two additional characteristics of most public spaces. This research investigate the planning and design of public spaces in post-earthquake reconstruction. These public spaces usually have three features,namely of safety,memorial and tourism. The overlapping and interweaving of these features form an organic and integrated system in urban design,implementation and utility.A case study approach is conducted. This research selects three case studies(i.e. Yingxiu,Weizhou and Shuimo) which represent three main types of affected cities in the earthquake. Through case studies,it examines three main features(safety,memorial and tourism) of public spaces in post-earthquake reconstruction. The research finally summarizes the main characteristics of public spaces in Wenchuan’s post-earthquake reconstruction. This is one of the crucial outcomes of this research as empirical studies.The process and implementation outcomes of planning and designing public spaces show that the three main features of public spaces which were reconstructed in the post-earthquake are fit to the theory of “Two Views and Three Characteristics”(liangguan sanxing). Based on this, this thesis develops an integrated design strategy of public spaces in post-earthquake reconstruction. More specifically, this strategy includes: 1) the leading roles of the three main features; 2) the overlapping of functions, morphologies and cultures; 3) the integration of urban design, planning, construction and implementation; 4) the supporting system of urban design and planning; and 5) integrated design methods for public spaces in post-earthquake reconstruction. This thesis shows that public spaces are the tie of various tasks in the post-earthquake reconstruction. It also indicates that the integrated design strategy based on “Two Views and Three Characteristics” can help to enhance the three main features of public spaces and promote the sustainable redevelopment in the post-reconstructed city.This thesis comprise three main parts. The first part(chapters 2-3) studies research angles and theories and explains the main contents and interrelated relationships between the three main features. The second part(chapters 4-6) are empirical studies, summarizing the respective characteristics of three types of public spaces in the post-earthquake reconstruction in terms of the three main features. The third part(chapter 7) is theory-building, establishing an integrated design strategy for public spaces in the post-earthquake reconstruction and its supporting system.