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.