前言

理解城市美學的內涵

The Connotation of Urban Aesthetics

城市是人類文明的重要成果，也是人類的重要棲息地。城市之美展示了人類的創造力，體現了文明的多樣性。

Cities represent a remarkable accomplishment of human civilization and serve as a vital home for humankind.The splendor of cities exemplifies human imagination and showcases the richness of various cultures.

城市美學是關于如何認識與打造城市之美的理論。理解了城市美學的內涵，就能把握城市之美的規律。當代世界的許多現代化城市，可以說是物質的、高科技的、便利的，但不足的是，缺少了人文氣息、美學特征。這是當代城市發展所面臨的一個普遍問題。

Urban aesthetics is a theory about understanding and building a city's beauty. What's truly inspiring is that once we comprehend the essence of urban aesthetics, we can effortlessly grasp the principles of urban beauty. Although many modernized cities in the world are renowned for their materialistic, high-tech, and convenient features, they often lack a more humanistic atmosphere and aesthetic allure. This is a challenge that urban development faces globally.

這些年來，我去過世界上許多不同的城市，發現一座能吸引人的城市會具有強烈的“包裹感”。我曾帶學生去尼泊爾的加德滿都、博卡拉等城市，那里街道很窄，還有些凹凸不平，但人們卻能在城市里待得住，是因為那座城市里有古老的神廟，有市井的店鋪，有茂盛的綠樹。我也曾帶學生去澳門，那里的街道同樣很窄，彎彎繞繞的，但同學們去了后很喜歡，有人甚至把澳門作為自己的“第二故鄉”。究其原因，城市里有古老的教堂與廟宇，有當地的美食，有五彩的花朵。美的城市給人留下美的印象，這是一種城市意象。理解這種美的城市意象，是理解城市美學內涵的基礎。事實上，一座美的城市，往往有鮮明的特質。

Over the years, as I traveled to different cities worldwide, I couldn't help but notice that an attractive city has its strong sense of "enclosure". During my trips to Nepal with students, we explored narrow and uneven streets in cities like Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, the locals'unwavering love for these cities is a testament to the allure of ancient temples, bustling markets, and lush greenery. I have also taken my students to Macau. Despite its narrow and winding streets, the students enjoyed their visit, some even consider Macau as their "second hometown". The allure lies in the ancient churches, temples, local delicacies, and flourishing flowers. A beautiful city will leave a lasting impression on people, creating an urban imagery. Appreciating this imagery is the entrance to understanding the connotation of urban aesthetics. In fact, a beautiful city contains distinct characteristics.

第一，自然之美。人的本性是親近自然的，美的城市既是現代化城市，也是森林中的城市。值得提出的是，對城市自然之美的理解不能只是大規模的綠化，如果城市里的人與自然沒有互動感與有機感，這就不是真正的城市自然之美。在美的城市里，植物、山水與人的工作、生活空間是融為一體的。與此同時，對城市中的自然景觀也不能只追求整齊度，而要體現原生態，真正保護大自然的“自然態”。在北京中軸線上，令人賞心悅目的河流是自然的，花園是自然的，山景是自然的，早在13世紀在旅行者馬可·波羅的文字中，就盛贊了北京中軸線的自然之美。

First, a city's natural elements play a significant role in its beauty. Being close to nature is a human desire, a beatiful city is not only modern but also nestled within a verdant forest. However, it's important to note that having a lot of greenery alone doesn't necessarily make a city beautiful. If the relationship between people and nature doesn't have a sense of interaction and organicity, it's not the real natural beauty of the city. A city is beautifully designed when plants, landscapes, work, and living spaces are integrated seamlessly. The natural landscape should reflect the original ecology and preserve the true "natural state" of nature, rather than striving for uniformity. The Central Axis of Beijing is adorned with natural delightful rivers, gardens, and mountain scenery, which have been admired since the 13th century by travelers such as Marco Polo for its natural beauty.

第二，是歷史之美。歷史之美在于平和。活在歷史中的人是安靜的，活在將來的人是焦慮的，活在當下的人是快樂的。許多城市發展中的問題就是不重視對歷史遺跡的保護，歷史遺跡的保護至關重要，再造的歷史往往不具備真實性。對一座城市來說，歷史是城市之美的靈魂。在北京中軸線上，令人震撼與感動的是，人們能看到、觸摸到真實的歷史中的建筑與街道，擁有三千年建城史、八百年建都史的文化古城的精髓都體現在這條線路上，而中華文化精神氣質的“中正平和”在此也得到了充分展現。

The second is holding its historical beauty. The beauty of history lies in its peacefulness. Those who dwell in history are serene, those who focus on the future are anxious, and those who live in the present are happy. The problem in the development of many cities is that they do not prioritize the protection of historical relics, and recreated history often lacks authenticity. For a city, history is the soul of its beauty. The Central Axis of Beijing is a prime example of a city that has preserved its historical buildings and streets, offering visitors a glimpse and a touch to them. The essence of the cultural ancient city, which has 3,000 years of city building and 800 years of capital history, is reflected on this line. This area truly embodies the Chinese cultural ethos of"Mild Temperament".

第三，生活之美。城市應該是有生活感的空間，可以用腳步丈量，店鋪林立，街道彎曲，人情味、煙火氣十足。如此，城市中的人們才會有融入其中、成為一體的美好感受。在北京中軸線上，令人喜悅與沉浸的是，這里有許多北京老字號的餐廳、店鋪，有許多老北京人的豪爽、樸實，有許多北京市民日常生活的生機、快樂。不論是烤鴨、鹵煮、糖葫蘆，還是布鞋、絲綢、煙袋桿，以及燈會、廟會、鐘鼓樓，都是北京城市生活之美的集中展現。

The third aspect that makes a city beautiful is its liveliness. A city should be a space with a sense of life, which can be measured with footsteps and lined with countless shops, winding streets, and a bustling atmosphere that's full of human touch. This creates a sense of belonging and integration for the people living there. In the Central Axis of Beijing, the time-honored restaurants and shops, the boldness and simplicity of the old Beijingers, and the vitality and happiness of the daily life of the citizens all contribute to the city's charm. It's not just about the renowned dishes like Peking duck, bittern flapjacks, and Tanghulu, or traditional items like cloth shoes, silk, and tobacco pipe poles. Even events like the lantern festivals and temple fairs, as well as landmarks like the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, all embracing the beauty of Beijing's urban life.

理解城市美學要有自然、歷史、生活的視角，如此，才能讓我們的城市更具宜居感與吸引力，城市要為人們的幸福生活而服務，城市也要為人類文明創造更多財富。

To understand urban aestheics, we should always consider the importance of nature, history, and community. Only by doing so, can we make our city more livable and attractive. Cities should not only contribute to the well-being of its residents, but also create more wealth for its human civilization.

寫作此文時，恰逢“中國旅游日”。這個日子的確定源自410年前中國偉大旅行家徐霞客的游記中開篇文章的日子，即公元1613年5月19日，文中有“云散日朗，人意山光，俱有喜態”的句子。事實上，美的城市是充滿“喜態”的。希望有更多的城市越來越美，希望有更多的世界游客來北京中軸線體驗北京城的歷史之源、文化之韻與民俗之樂。

As I write this piece, it happens to be "China Tourism Day", a day inspired by a passage in the travel notes of a famous Chinese traveler named Xu Xiake, written 410 years ago on May 19, 1613. His words describing the beauty of everyday life still resonate:"When clouds disperse, the sun shines, and the mountain basks in radiant light, all expressing joy. " In truth, a beautiful city is one filled with the essence of delighet. I hope that more cities will become increasingly resplendent and that multitude of global travelers come to Beijing's Central Axis to experience its rich history, cultural charm, and the joy of its vibrant folk customs.

胡鈺

Hu Yu

2023年5月19日于北京清華園

May 19th, 2023 at Tsinghua University, Beijing