Jian Cao

Jian Cao

October 31, 2025

Xiang-Wu-Tian-Di (Image-Object-Heaven-Earth), Spatial model, Landscape livable city, Panzhihua, Dry-hot valley.

This study examines Panzhihua, a traditional resource-based city in Sichuan Province undergoing a remarkable metamorphosis from an industrial hub to a landscape-oriented livable city. Confronting the dual challenges of ecological preservation and urban development inherent to its canyon geography, the research innovatively integrates China’s ancient urban planning wisdom of Xiang-Wu-Tian-Di (Image-Object-Heaven-Earth) with cutting-edge technologies such as drone mapping and 3D modeling. By transforming philosophical principles into actionable urban planning solutions, the study establishes a sustainable development paradigm characterized by cultural continuity with humanistic warmth, ecological restoration with technical precision, and industrial transformation with strategic foresight. This approach not only revitalizes Panzhihua’s urban fabric but also serves as a replicable blueprint for similar cities navigating the complex interplay of heritage conservation and modernization.

© 2025, the Authors. Published by ISCCAC

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