Yin-Yang theory and Meridian-collateral system in urban planning: a case study of Cerdá's Eixample Plan in Barcelona

Abstract

Yin-Yang theory is the theoretical basis for Chinese medicine. In the view of Yin-Yang theory, city can be regarded as an organism and the Meridian-collateral system of urban planning constitutes the decisive factor for its quality and equality. To explore Cerda’s wisdom beyond history，we made an analogy between city with the Life body, and proposed the concept of urban Organism. We analyzed the Eixample plan for Barcelona made by Cerdá from the three concepts ： Yin-Yang, Meridian-collateral system and acupuncture points. This paper researches the wisdom why the plan set by Cerdá more than 150 years ago still perfectly suits to the life of a contemporary city, and tries to explore the mechanism and method of designing a balanced city.