This book studies the historical changes of the cityscape of Nanjing from the point of view of geographical systems. Nanjing is a city located along the Yangtze River, originated 2500 years ago, after which ten dynasties established their capital dependent on the geographical conditions. The book focuses on the analysis of the characteristics of mountain and river systems in the various historical periods, and provides investigations of historical sites along with these systems. This enables the search for the laws of historical evolution and spatial structure changes, which is also the research of the  relationship between man and nature. It extends the traditional preservation and cityscapes planning to that of geographical landscape system. Readers working in the area of geography, history, urban and landscape planning will benefit from it.

Yifeng Yao, Professor,the College of Geography, Nanjing Normal University

Education experiences: Ph.D in Quaternary geology at Nanjing University. Master Degree in Landscape Architecture at Beijing Forestry University. Bachelor Degree in Landscape Architecture at Nanjing Forestry University.

Twice obtained Germany DAAD (the Germany International Academic Exchange Service)

Scholarship, as a Visiting Scholar at Urban History Institute of RWTH Aachen University and Geography Institute of Giessen University, Germany.

Main research direction and fields: historical city preservation, landscape planning , human geography.

Significance of Geography and Urban Planning.- The Yangtze River Impacts and Early Nanjing Geography.- Nanjing Historical Landscape and City Changes.- City Status and Contemporary Geographical Landscape.- Rivers, Greenspaces and Ancient Capital Composition.- Geographic Landscape Planning and Design.- Conclusion.