广州沙田地区景观变迁的历史渊源

Historical Origin of Landscape Transformation: A Case Study of Shatian, Guangzhou

广州沙田地区土壤是由入海口淤泥堆积形成的田土,位于西江、北江、东江三江汇集之处,是广州冲积三角洲沙田淤积最显著的地理单元。自明清以来,沙田围垦技术和商品性农业的发展,推动了珠江三角洲商品经济的兴盛与市镇化,其景观风貌变迁有着重要的历史价值。通过文献解读与深入的实地调研,对广州沙田景观变迁的历史渊源做进一步研究,采用融合"文化过程"与"景观结果"的研究方法,揭示了在资源争夺、生存压力和上层政策的交织影响下,沙田经历了滩涂、围田与聚落的景观变迁过程。

Shatian, located in the northern part of Guangzhou, is a delta in the convergence of Xijiang, Beijiang and Dongjiang rivers. The Shatian delta was formed with the sedimentation of sludges from the Zhujiang estuary and evolved into the present landform. During the economic boom periods of the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty(1636-1912), along with advanced technologies of farming and land reclamation, the territory of Shatian expanded, resulting in population growth. The Shatian landscape was shaped by such economic boom, showcasing the early urbanization in southern China. This paper traces the historical development of the Shatian delta by extensive literature review and on-site investigation. It argues that the Shatain landscape is a result of an intertwined effect from different aspects, including natural resources, government policy, and local people’s way of living. By integrating the "cultural processes" and the "landscape results", this paper also demonstrates the transformation process of Shatain delta from a mud flat to a farming land, and eventually an area for human settlement.