GIS as a Planning Support System for the Planning of Harmonious Cities
It has long been the desire of human beings to be harmonious with the physica environment, society and inner self. In China, the earliest harmonious concept is yin-yang which originates from the Book of Change (I-ching), a Chinese book often associated with fortune-telling and Taosim. It can be dated back 3,000 years to the transition period between the Yin (1600-11 00 B.C.) and Chou dynasties (11 22-256 B.C.). Yin represents softness (weak, submissive) and yang represents strength (strong, dominant). While being opposite, they work in harmony. The balance of yin and yang is needed to create a harmonious system. Yin-yang is often applied to Chinese medicine in which the balance of the yin and yang will lead to good health. When applied to cities, yin can represent the natural environment and yang the urban development. The balance between urban development and the natural environment will lead to sustainable cities.

ABSTRACT
In the Republic of China on Taiwan, photogrammetry is widely applied to topographic mapping, land use classification, water and soil conservation, and civil engineering projects; while remote sensing techniques are used for weather forcasting, damage investigation, natural resources monitoring, and agriculture and forest inventories. The equipment and techniques of digital mapping are increased and improved to provide data for the geographic information system (GIS) which consists of nine data bases, namely: natural environment, natural resources and ecology, environmental quality, social and economic, fraffic network,land,regional and urban planning, public pipe line and topographic map date bases. The islandwide digital elevation model has been scanned with 4Ox40 m intervals. Photogrammetry and remote sensing courses are taught in the departments of survey engineering at the Chungcheng Institute of Technology and the Chengkung University, and also taught in departments of geography, geology, forestry and civil engineering at other universities and colleges.

International Association for Landscape Ecology Vol. 26 no. 2, April 2008

OUTLOOK WORLD CONGRESS 2011 (AUGUST, 18-23, BEIJING)
“Landscape Ecology and it’s role in sustaining culture and the environment”

China is an ancient country with a rich cultural legacy. The diversity of cultural landscapes has gained much attention from all over the world, in addition to the beautiful natural landscapes. By organizing the IALE World Congress, we wish to draw more attention from international scientists, and establish a platform for them to start cooperative research projects in China. We will welcome all IALE members and interested individuals to participate in this congress in Beijing. We expect that participants will enjoy the stimulating academic atmosphere at these meetings.