An Investigation On The Role Of Shandong Folk Art Symbols On Urban Landscape Design

This dissertation will investigate the application of Shandong folk art in the urban landscape design. The traditional art developed continuously in china, and presented a high degree of localization which was the result of regional collective wisdom and practical reflection of people’s ideology. As one of fundamental cultural elements, the folk art evokes people’s awareness on the importance of local culture. Currently, the "convergence" trend in the urban landscape development increase people’s concern on the loss of local belongings and uniqueness of local culture. However, the folk art which is well known for its connotation and uniqueness will fit the demands of current urban landscape design. This dissertation will examine the nature and methods of urban landscape design theory and explore the possibility of the symbol of folk art using in modern urban landscape design, to provide more thoughts and spread traditional culture.Shan Dong is one on the oldest origin of eastern culture. In the long history of social development, local people created a splendid culture and civilization. With the economy development, the acceleration of population flowing, as well as the rapid development of-modern media technology, the folk arts was fading. Therefore, it is significant to reserve the folk arts to protect traditional culture. On the other hand, as the urbanization accelerates, more population flows to cities and pursue their better life quality. However, modern urban landscape design practice shows some challenges such as same design and similar style used in various places. It could be summarized that the folk arts which inherit distinctive local culture play a significant role to overcome problems in urban landscape design.This dissertation will examine the nature and applicable value of folk art symbols and urban landscape, to discuss the possibility of this integration between folk arts and urban landscape design. More specifically, the main body will focus on how to appropriately communicate Shandong folk arts. It will analyze the symbolized characteristics in Shandong folk arts and extract the numbers of symbols as the elements in urban landscape design. Then, it will further illustrate how the folk arts symbols are designed and communicate meanings through three aspects of design, function, and arts value. After that, it will discuss how the folk arts essentials should be used and developed in the urban landscape design fields. Finally, some practical principles in design can be suggested.