Harmonious spaces: the influence of Feng Shui on urban form and design

This paper examines the influence of Feng Shui on urban form and spatial design at multiple levels: from the domestic spaces of the home, through commercial development projects, to the planning and building of cities. It contrasts the ancient power of China’s emperors to directly plan cities according to Feng Shui principles with its indirect influence today, underpinned by cultural and commercial drivers rather than the direct influence of regulation. Although ‘official’ adherence to Feng Shui seems less explicit than it once was, there are signs that it retains a place in the decision-making environment. The paper concludes by advancing a research agenda around the embeddedness of Feng Shui within the cultures of planning regulation and decision-making.