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

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.