Theming Cities, Taming Places: Insights from Singapore

This paper explores the 'thematic development' of Singapore's Little Historic District and the socio-spatial effects of this thematic enhancement scheme. Specifically, I argue that when landscapes are 'themed', which is often the case in urban tourism planning, places will be 'tamed' as a result. This argument is substantiated by the case of Singapore's Little India which was designated a historic district in 1989. I contend that as Little India is redeveloped as an Indian theme district with a mix of modern and traditional activities, it is tamed in three ways. The taming process is exemplified by: (1) a decline in traditional Indian-owned retail outlets and activities; (2) Little India's conversion into a retail attraction rather a place of residence; and (3) a dimming of its rich Indian cultural identity. The taming of activities , community and identity , I shall show, has also generated vociferous reactions from the grass-roots which can be described as anything but tame. Indeed, as gross-roots agencies (comprising merchants and residents) resist the government's development approach, there has been a fundamental rethinking of what Little India means to its people and a re-evaluation of their communal ties to the place. As a result, a reassertion of Indian identity and community occurs even as Little India is being themed and tamed.     

也谈义县奉国寺大雄殿大木尺度设计方法——与温玉清先生讨论

在近期公布的中国文化遗产研究院等单位关于辽宁义县奉国寺实测数据和研究成果的基础上,结合笔者对该寺木结构几何解析关系的认识和调研,本文尝试从斗栱设计、屋架结构设计和材分与营造尺配合等方面进行反思,逆向寻求和推算原始设计的方法。     

明代士大夫的民生思想及其政治实践——以《明经世文编》为中心

明朝官员的奏疏中,多有建议"民生"的内容,常使用"国计民生"一词,还以"吏治民生"讨论问题,反映出"民生"问题具有连接国家与社会的性质。儒家民本思想的核心以使民生顺遂为归宿,这一观念渗透到国家统治的模式当中,成为君德、官箴的要求。民生与国计一体两面,国家与社会为紧密相连的互动关系。吏治与民生的关系要求官员当官为民、造福一方。     

梁山泊“八百里”之说辨正

梁山泊方圆“八百里”之说因《水浒》的流传而举世皆知;但是,事实上该说法既不见载于宋元地理志书,亦非古代小说家的原创,而是由从《涑水记闻》到《事文类聚》等五本宋人笔记对一则材料的不断传抄讹变而来.现利用版本目录学的研究方法,先还原文本讹变的发生过程并分析其原因,再针对该则材料中两个要素的历史背景——即熙宁时人对《农田水利利害条约》的评价,与王安石、刘攽二人的交恶——进行考证与讨论,最后指出:“八百里”之说绝不可作为开展历史地理研究时的依据.     

从现存图样资料看清代晚期长春宫改造工程

本文通过调研现存的图样和文字资料,逐步深入地考察了清代晚期长春宫改造工程的过程和工程项目,从而揭示了今天故宫博物院长春宫一区原状陈列展览所无法展现的历史面貌,并以此为线索对于清代宫廷生活、建筑空间及其使用、审美好尚进行了初步分析,特别着重分析了咸丰皇帝和懿贵妃(后来的慈禧太后)在这里扮演的历史角色。     

汝州风穴寺始建年代探赜

风穴寺不可能始建于北魏,更不可能是唐代所建.事实是:东汉费长房时代此地已有遗迹,风穴寺峡谷内的漫山遍野的柏树最初系人工栽植,古香积寺门口的两棵柏树:“一捧伞”“三炷香”系汉代遗留.结合有关典籍记载,风穴寺极可能始建于东汉初平元年.