LI Xuanyao_Rebirth by RMIT Landscape Architecture

REBIRTH Reclaim natural landscape of the city from the burial crisis

REBIRTH RECLAIM NATURAL LANDSCAPE OF THE CITY FROM THE BURIAL CRISIS

SUBMITTED BY Xuanyao Li s3614099

RMIT UNIVERSITY School of Architecture and Design Master of Landscape Architecture Design Research Project 2021 COURSE COORDINATOR Jen Lynch Alice Lewis TUTORS Adam Gardner Elise Northover June 2021

RMIT UNIVERSITY 2

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: How should landscape architects deal with the burial crisis caused by urban expansion and aging population, while enhancing the functions and significance of the cemetery and creating an environmentally friendly memorialscape?

Jerusalem's ancient Mount of Olives cemetery buries texts and objects which cannot be destroyed. Photo: Zoltan Tasi

ABSTRACT The cemetery is a landscape created to protect the remains of the dead. Growing urban populations, the expansion of our cities and an aging population have all contributed to burial capacities being reached around the work. The gradual decrease in the number of cemeteries, a lack of available land and the growing proximity between cemeteries and residential areas have all led to a shortage of burial space in our urban environments. Babaoshan Cemetery, Beijing serves as the testing ground for this design research project. The limited urban land resources are almost saturated and cannot facilitate more graves. Furthermore, the future population aging crisis will not only bring greater pressure on the cemetery, but also challenge the traditional layout and function of the cemetery. The ambition of this project is to enhance the function and significance of the cemetery, creating an environmentally significant memorialscape and promote the sustainable development of the city. Design-based exploration provides alternatives for the spatial layout of cemeteries and how they connect with their contextual social and ecological systems. ‘Rebirth’ explores the future opportunities for cemeteries in urban areas and reevaluates what constitutes the cemetery landscape itself.

"The only people I am aware of who don't have troubles are gathered in peaceful, little neighborhoods. There is never a care, never a moment of stress and never an obstacle to ruin a day. All is calm. All is serene. Most towns have at least one such worry-free zone. We call them cemeteries."

—— Steve Goodier

" In your days of loneliness and sadness, please read my name quietly and say: There are people in this world who miss me, and I live in a person's heart. "

—— Pushkin

CONTENT 01 BACKGOUND INTRODUCTION 1.1 Global Context 1.2 History and Challenges of China 1.3 Upcoming Crisis

02 THE MEANING OF "REBIRTH" 2.1 POSITION & AMIBITION 2.2 THE STRUCTURE OF PROJECT

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

INTRODUCTION OF THE CURRENT SITUATION ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATUS THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SCREEN ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

04 THE CULTURE OF CEMETERY 4.1 ANALYSIS OF FENGSHUI 4.2 RELIGIOUS FUNERAL CULTURE 4.3 CHINESE FUNERAL CEREMONY

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" 5.1 STRATEGIES FO THE CEMETERY 5.2 PHASE 1 TO SOLVE THE BURIAL CRISIS

5.3 PHASE 2 INCREASE MEMORIAL SPACE

5.4 PHASE 3 IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF THE CEMETERY

5.5 PHASE 4 STRENGTHEN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY

5.6 DESIGN OUTCOME

06 THE CONCLUSION 07 REFERENCE LIST

Panteón Civil San Nicolás Tolentino, Mexico City. Drone by @dronerobert

Cemetery in Guangzhou, China. Photograph by @nk7, found on @fromwhereidrone

BACKGOUND INTRODUCTION 1.1 GLOBAL CONTEXT 1.2 HISTORY AND CHALLENGES 1.3 UPCOMING CRISIS

1.1 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION Global Context We are told that the world is rapidly urbanizing. Metropolitan areas are not only being built, but they are also expanding, and expanding at an unprecedented rate, with serious consequences for the natural environment. More than half of the people on the planet today live-in urban areas, and by 2050 another 2.5 billion people will live in urban areas. With cities tripling in size from 2000 to 2030 and expected to grow by 80 percent over the next 18 years, land use and density are likely to be among the defining issues of the coming decades. At the same time, people around the world are living longer, population aging is one of the most important trends of the 21st century (UNFPA 2012), and according to a recent report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the population over 60 is expected to reach twice its current size by 2050, causing significant social change.

01 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION I GLOBAL CONTEXT

URBAN EXPANSION Urban expansion - the process of creating the built environment to accommodate urban populations and their activities - is one of the fundamental aspects of urbanization. According to the United Nations, 60 percent of urban growth is attributable to natural population growth, while 40 percent is attributable to migration from rural to urban areas and international migration. Asia is home to some of the fastest physically expanding cities in the world, with China leading the way. The map on the right shows the outward growth trend from 2000 to 2015.

<0.25 0.25-0.99 1.0-2.99 3.0-4.99 5.0-15.2

Outward growth from 2000-2015

World Resources Institute

THE AGING POPULATION The world population is aging rapidly. Life expectancy is increasing in most countries to begin population aging, a trend first seen in developed countries but now seen in almost all developing countries, and the rate of population aging will accelerate much faster than in the past. Over the next few decades, the global proportion of people aged 60 or older is likely to rise to unprecedented levels. Between 2015-2050, the proportion of the world's population aged 60 years or older will nearly double, from 12% to 22%. The map on the right shows the proportion of people aged 60 and over in 2015 and 2050.

2015

2050

0-9% 10-19% 20-24% 25-29% 30+%

Proportion of population aged 60 or over in 2015 and 2050

No data Source: UN 2015b

THE WORLD'S AGEING POPULATION % OF POPULATION OVER 60.

01 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION I GLOBAL CONTEXT

In 2050 one person in three will be over 65 and one person in 10 will over 80.

2015 - 12% of the world's 6.9bn are over 60 2050 - 22% of the world's 9.0bn are over 60

1.2 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION History and Challenges AGING SOCIETY The increase of life expectancy and the decrease of fertility rate have made aging an inevitable trend worldwide. In line with the world trend of population aging, the population with the peak of birth in the mid-20th century has been stepping into the aging society one after another. The salient features of aging are the large proportion of elderly population, rapid growth rate, sharp increase of senior population, and uneven distribution of aging, which put China in a unique position. China's fertility rate has now fallen below replacement level, and population life expectancy and mortality rates are approaching developed country levels. It is foreseeable that the first part of the 21st century will be the fastest growing period of population aging in China.

THE LARGEST ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE WORLD China has the largest elderly population in the world, accounting for almost a quarter of the world's elderly population, and this situation will continue for a long time. According to the 7th National Population Census released by the National Bureau of Statistics in May 2021, China's population aged 60 and above accounted for 18.7% of the country's total population, 5.44% higher than in 2010 when the last census was conducted, and the number of people aged 60 and above in mainland China has reached 264.02 million, including 190.64 million people aged 65 and above, accounting for 13.5% of the total population. It is expected that by 2040, the proportion of the elderly population aged 65 and above will exceed 25% of the total population.

01 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION I HISTORY AND CHALLENGES

CHINA HAS THE LARGEST ELDERLY POPULATION IN THE WORLD ACCOUNTING FOR NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE WORLD'S ELDERLY POPULATION. IT IS EXPECTED THAT BY 2050, EXCEED 30% OF THE POPULATION WILL BE OVER THE AGE OF 65.

1.2 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION History and Challenges ONE-CHILD POLICY The goal of China's one-child policy, implemented in 1979, was to ensure that population growth did not outpace economic development and to alleviate the environmental and natural resource challenges and imbalances associated with rapid population growth. The result of the policy was a general decline in fertility and birth rates in China after 1980 and a decline in fertility rates. Another consequence of the policy has been an increasing proportion of the population that is older, a result of the simultaneous decline in the number of children born and the increase in life expectancy since 1980. China's latest census will confirm what demographers have been warning about for years: the country is ageing at a dangerous rate as fertility rates remain low. To address the ageing population, China ended its 35-year-long one-child policy in anticipation of 2016. For many years, China's demographic trends were heavily influenced by the one-child policy, and this historic policy failure is partly responsible for the country's current predicament. The map below shows the cities in China with the highest percentage of people over the age of 60 in 2018, with Beijing ranking first in the country at 21.0% of the city's population.

01 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION I HISTORY AND CHALLENGES

TIMELINE OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES

1.3 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION Upcoming Crisis

Beijing, the capital and municipality directly under the Central Government of the People's Republic of China, is the political, cultural, scientific and technological and international communications centre of mainland China, the third most populous city and the most populous capital in the world and has a significant international influence.

Located on the north-western edge of the North China Plain, Beijing is backed by the Yanshan Mountains, has the Yongding River flowing through the south-western part of the old city, and is adjacent to Tianjin and Hebei Province, making it an important part of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei city cluster.

01 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION I UPCOMING CRISIS

Beijing's urban expansion has never stopped. Along with the gradual increase in population, the problem of ageing has become increasingly serious. The ageing population is mainly concentrated in the city centre, while the density of the ageing population in Yanqing County outside the city is also relatively high. At this stage there are 32 cemeteries in Beijing, 6 fully saturated, all in the city centre, and 3 eco-cemeteries. At the same time, air pollution is a major environmental problem in Beijing, mainly in the city centre and in the south-western part of the city, although it has gradually started to improve in recent years. The distribution of green space in urban settlements is relatively low, and in response to the further deterioration of environmental problems caused by urban expansion, several nature reserves have been established in the suburbs.

AGING POPULATION

1990

2005

DISTRIBUTION OF CEMETERIES

2020

URBAN RESIDENTIAL AREA

NATURE RESERVES & URBAN GREEN SPACES

2030

1.3 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION Upcoming Crisis

01 BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION I UPCOMING CRISIS

TRADITIONAL BURIALS TAKE PLACE AS USUAL ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY, AND THE COTTAGES IN WHICH THE INHABITANTS LIVE FORM THE CITY AND HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF GREEN SPACE.

The PAST 26

The FUTURE THE EXPANSION OF THE CITY AND THE AGEING POPULATION HAVE LED TO THE LIMITED URBAN LAND RESOURCES BEING ALMOST SATURATED AND NO MORE GRAVES CAN BE BUILT.

02 THE MEANING OF "REBIRTH" 2.1 POSITION & AMIBITION 2.2 THE STRUCTURE OF PROJECT

2.1 THE MEANING OF "REBIRTH" Position & Ambition PROJECT BACKGROUND SUMMARY The growing urban population, the expansion of our cities and an ageing population have all contributed to the burial capacity surrounding the work. The diminishing number of cemeteries, the lack of available land and the increasing proximity of cemeteries to residential areas have all contributed to a shortage of burial space in our urban environment. Soaring land costs and a reduction in available cemetery space are also contributing to the high cost of burial.

THE ROLE OF THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Current burial practices are failing to address growing environmental and land use issues, and the pressures of the growing burial crisis are again challenging cemetery design and burial practices, causing us to rethink the landscape of death.

PROJECT AMBITION To enhance the function and meaning of the cemetery, to create a commemorative landscape with environmental significance, to promote sustainable urban development and to create a beautiful cemetery for a city where green space is scarce.

02 THE MEANING OF "REBIRTH" I POSITION & Ambition

Burial practices are fundamental to the form of a cemetery and this project will focus on the type of burial to achieve the project's goal of responding to the burial crisis with an ecological burial that can be made environmentally friendly to create a green and sustainable cemetery that responds positively to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

11, s tr e ngthe n capaci ty f or i ncl us iv e and sustainable urbanisation and participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlements planning and management. Goal 15, protect, restore and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and significantly increase afforestation and reforestation.

The development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all, is primarily for Goal

2.2 THE MEANING OF "REBIRTH" The Structure of Project

02 THE MEANING OF "REBIRTH" I THE STRUCURE OF PROJECT

Beijing Babaoshan Cemetery served as the test site for this design research project. The cemetery's current problems and general environmental context were used to propose design strategies to achieve the project's objectives through a test study. It also responds positively to the UN's sustainable development objectives.

ABOUT CLIENT The client is the China Funeral Association, which proposes to government departments on the reform and development of the funeral industry and assists the government in the implementation of administrative permits and r e l a t e d r e g u l a t i o n s a n d p o l i c i e s f o r t h e f u n e r a l i n d u s t r y. It plays the role of a bridge and link to promote the overall healthy development of China's funeral industry. Friends of Nature, through environmental education, household energy conservation, eco-community, legal and policy advocacy, we are rebuilding the connection between people and nature, safeguarding the precious ecological environment and promoting the emergence and growth of more and more green citizens. As a leader and integrator in China's funeral service industry, Fushenguan Industrial Group believes that funeral services should not only provide respect and scientific placement at the end of a person's physical life, but also study the continuation of the spirit for the next 100 years of life, preserving and continuing the spiritual life of people.

STAKEHOLDERS As for the stakeholders of the project, local residents can address the high cost of death, residents can choose more types of burial, and ordinary families can afford the costs required for the death of a family member with a good place of remembrance. A more natural environment is created for the community and a good burial landscape improves the environment of the whole community. Cemeteries can achieve sustainable development to e n h a n c e t h e s t a t u s a n d i m a g e o f t h e c i t y, t h u s a l s o promoting the development of the funeral service industry.

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4

INTRODUCTION OF THE CURRENT SITUATION ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATUS THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SCREEN ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

3.1 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY Introduction Of The Current Situation Babaoshan Cemetery is the closest saturated cemetery to the city center is located in Shijingshan District, which is part of Beijing, one of the six main urban areas of the city. It is located in the western part of Beijing, in the western section of Chang'an Street, and the easternmost part is 14 km from Tiananmen Square.

graves built in the 1970s and 1980s, terrazzo-formed graves and stone graves built after management fees were collected after 1989, all of which exist in various gravesites. As many graves in the cemetery gradually expire 20 years, the old graves show the characteristics of "many chaotic and dense" and are mostly damaged, the public demanded the original graves to be renovated and then renew the lease is very strong.

The area is very conveniently accessible, with bus stops and subway entrances around the cemetery. The area is fully functional, with hospitals, parks, shopping malls, educational and recreational facilities, and the land around the cemetery is mainly residential, with a relatively high population density. The vegetation cover of the whole area is normal, and the area is crossed by Yongding River.

Since 2013, the cemetery has been renewing leases in batches and subdivisions based on the expiration of old graves, the planning of the cemetery, the materials used in the construction of old graves and the damage to the graves. It also provides a variety of ways for families to choose from, such as renewal of lease in original condition, renewal of lease for in-situ renovation of old graves, and renewal of lease for relocation and renovation of old graves.

The Cemetery was built in 1950, when it was called the second cemetery of the Western Suburbs. Among the existing graves in the cemetery, there are coffins built in the 1950s and 1960s, earthen

CHINA

BEIJING

SHIJINGSHAN DISTRICT

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY I INTRODUCTION OF THE CURRENT SITUATION

ANALYSIS OF THE REGION

VEGETATION SYSTEM

WATERWAY

TRANSPORTATION

LAND USE & FACILITY

POPULATION DENSITY

AIR POLLUTION

Babaoshan Cemetery is located in Beijing in the eastern part of Shijingshan District, north of the West Chang'an Street extension line and 700 meters north of Babaoshan Subway Station. The total area of the cemetery is about 400 acres, east of Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery and Babaoshan Funeral Hall, west of Laoshan Columbarium, south of West Chang'an Street extension line, and north of Fushi Road. With a long history, profound accumulation, convenient transportation and elegant environment, Babaoshan People Cemetery is an ideal place for the burial of ashes of deceased people.

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY I ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATUS

3.2 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY Analysis Of The Current Status As the land resources of the cemetery have tended to be saturated, the business of land-saving ecological burial and old tomb renovation is currently the main focus. In order to meet the needs of different people, the cemetery provides a variety of land-saving ecological burial forms, and plans to continue to add more land-saving ecological burial forms in the next step.

EXISTING MASTER PALN

Analysis Of The Current Status

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY I ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATUS

TYPES OF EXISTING LAND-SAVING BURIALS ZODIAC ECOLOGICAL BURIAL

The cemetery mainly meets the needs of special groups to launch a new form of green, civilized, beautiful and landsaving burial. -Its burial wall is embedded w ith "12 zodiac legends in relief", and there is a landscape flowerpot monument on the wall, with the name of the deceased and the time of birth and death engraved on the inside of the pot. -The ashes are buried inside the wall, no urn is needed for burial, the cemetery provides a special urn, and two ashes can be placed in each crypt slot. -Zodiac ecological burial mainly faces special groups and old grave renovation customers.

ASHES WALL THREE-DIMENSIONAL WALL BURIAL

The cemetery has launched a three-dimensional wall burial of ashes to address the needs of the masses in the transformation of old graves. -The wall burial of ashes is only available to users of the old grave renovation. -The lease period is 20 years.

DEEP BURIAL OF ASHES

EXISTING TYPES OF BURIALS

Ashes deep burial is located in a tower building in the northwest side of the cemetery yard, is the place of collective ashes deep burial - Huaisi Pavilion, ashes buried in the basement, using a one-time sealed ashes burial form, no longer removed after burial. -Huaisi Pavilion use of sealed collective deep burial, the ashes are placed in the Huai Si Court in the order for the code, and the name of the deceased engraved on the outer wall, in order to sacrifice. -Ashes cannot be taken out after burial, the sacrifice outside the tower sacrifice, cannot re-enter the Huaisi Pavilion.

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY I THE EXPERIENCE CEMETERY OF THE SCREEN

3.3 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY The Experience Of The Screen Using photos of a series of cemeteries to explore the relationship between people and the site, I found that this is a good way to help understand the site. At the same time, it was discovered that there are some environmental problems in the cemetery, in order to understand a more complete tour of the cemetery to better feel the status quo. I Will follow an old couple who wants to find a burial space to explore the current situation of the cemetery.

EXPERIENCE THE CEMETERY WITH THE ELDERLY COUPLE

REQUIREMENT

SPACE FOR BURY TOGETHER

AGE

70-75

SELECT RATE PREFERRED REASON

80%

CLOSE TO HOME

The couple, in their 70s, lived near a cemetery and wanted to find a suitable cemetery where they could be buried together before they died. They first considered the closest cemetery to their home, thinking that it would be convenient for their children to visit them in the future and they would feel more at ease away from home.

LET'S FOLLOW THEIR STEPS TO EXPERIENCE THE CEMETERY !

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY I THE EXPERIENCE CEMETERY OF THE SCREEN

LET'S FOLLOW THEIR STEPS TO EXPERIENCE THE CEMETERY !

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY I THE EXPERIENCE CEMETERY OF THE SCREEN

03 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY I ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

3.4 BABAOSHAN CEMETERY Issues and Challenges CONCLUSION The current situation of the cemetery has many problems and needs to be changed and updated to cope with the growing burial crisis. At the same time, some types of burials are causing environmental problems in cemetery, especially in old grave area, which are in urgent condition.

CURRENT ISSUES OF THE CEMETERY

RESPONSE AND SOLUTION

MAIN ISSUES

04 ABOUT THE CULTURE OF CEMETERIES 4.1 ANALYSIS OF FENG SHUI 4.2 RELIGIOUS FUNERAL CULTURE 4.3 CHINESE FUNERAL CEREMONY

4.1 ABOUT THE CULTURE OF CEMETERIES Feng Shui Feng shui (Chinese: 风水 ), also known as Chinese geomancy, is a pseudoscientific traditional practice originating from ancient China, which claims to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. The term feng shui literally translates as "wind-water" in English. Fengshui, "wind" is vitality and field energy, and "water" is flow and change. The core idea of feng shui is the harmony between man and nature. Early feng shui was mainly related to the methods and principles of the site selection, orientation, and construction of palaces, houses, villages, and cemeteries. The original intent was to choose the right place.

GENERAL FENG SHUI PRINCIPLES FOR CHOOSING A CEMETERY 1. The principle of following mountains and rivers 2. The principle of holding forward and backward "Left green dragon and right white tiger, front Suzaku and basalt behind" (“左青龙右白虎，前朱雀后玄武”) 3. The principle of buckling and winding(“上风上水”) 4. The principle of openness 5. The principle of returning to nature 6. The principle of upper wind and water

From the perspective of Chinese traditional c u l t u r a l Fe n g s h u i , t h e geographical location of Beijing Babaoshan People Cemetery fully meets the requirements of Fengshui for a good cemetery.

4.2 ABOUT THE CULTURE OF CEMETERIES Religious Funeral Culture China is a multi-religious country. Religious adherents in China mainly practice Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity. A national survey conducted in the early 21st century estimated that about 80% of China's population (over 1 billion) follow some Chinese folk religion; 10-16% follow Buddhism; 10% follow Taoism; 2.53% follow Christianity; and 0.4% follow Muslims. The main religions practiced by Beijing residents are Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Christianity. A funeral is a ritual connected with the final disposition of the body, such as the burial or cremation that follows the celebration.

Funeral practices include a complex of beliefs and customs that cultures use to honor and respect the dead, from burial to various memorials, prayers, and rituals performed in their honor. Practices vary by culture and religious group.

RELIGIOUS FUNERALS A religious funeral is a ceremony in which loved ones and friends gather to mark the passing of someone important to them. A religious leader will preside over the event and guide the mourners through the process of saying goodbye. The congregation is usually present to help guide each person through the ceremony and any religious

04 ABOUT THE CULTURE OF CEMETERIES I RELIGIOUS FUNERAL CULTURE

Christianity

Buddhism

As Christians, Catholics believe in the afterlife. Therefore, their funerals center on praying for the soul of the deceased. It is traditionally held in a Catholic church, but may also be held at a funeral home. The service is often conducted by a Catholic priest who will deliver a sermon that may include a remembrance of a fragment of the deceased's time on earth.

The general ritual of a Buddhist funeral is a simple ceremony held at home, a funeral home or a Buddhist temple. If the family chooses to combine tradition with the Christian faith, there will be a celebrant, usually a monk, but sometimes a priest or minister. There are no formal guidelines, but one can expect prayers and meditations, as well as a possible sermon and eulogy. There may be a wake, funeral and memorial service or reception following the funeral.

Islam Islam considers death to be a transition to another state of existence, called the afterlife. It usually takes place within three days of death. A very important funeral in Islam is held as soon as possible after death. Therefore, there is no viewing, awakening or visitation. The body is washed and covered with a sheet by the family immediately after death. The hands are placed together as if in prayer. The body is then transported to the funeral site, the mosque. There are few open coffins at Islamic funerals, cremation is forbidden by the faith.

Taoism T h e p u r p o s e o f Ta o i s t f u n e r a l r i t u a l s c a n b e summarized as "yin and yang happiness", and it is a great comfort to the living family members to be able to perform filial piety even after the death of their loved ones. Therefore, although the Taoist rituals are ostensibly performed for the deceased, the meaning of the rituals is to convince the family that the rituals they have arranged have helped the deceased to find a home and peace of mind.

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

4.3 ABOUT THE CULTURE OF CEMETERIES Chinese Funeral Ceremony Traditional Chinese funerals, depending on the religious beliefs and financial circumstances of the deceased, are often mixed with related Buddhist, Taoist or Feng Shui rituals throughout the process. With the accelerated pace of life brought about by modernization and the blending of world cultures, Chinese funerals nowadays are mixed with various religions (Buddhism, Taoism), local cultures, ethnic cultures (e.g. Japan), etc. The main processes of traditional funeral rituals have been preserved, but traditions such as funeral rituals, mourning clothes system, and mourning clothes system have been "simplified", and the entire Confucianism system has been fully followed.

04 ABOUT THE CULTURE OF CEMETERIES I CHINESE FUNERAL CEMEMONY

GENERAL CHINESE FUNERAL CEREMONY

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" 5.1 STRATEGIES FOR THE CEMETERY 5.2 PHASE 1 TO SOLVE THE BURIAL CRISIS

5.3 PHASE 2 INCREASE MEMORIAL SPACE

5.4 PHASE 3 IMPROVE PERFORMANCE OF THE CEMETERY

5.5 PHASE 4 STRENGTHEN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY

5.6 DESIGN OUTCOME

5.1 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" Strategies For The Cemetery According to the current situation of the cemetery, the process of rebirth will be carried out in four phase.

TOOLS OF "REBIRTH"

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I STRATEGIES FOR THE CEMETERY

PHASE 1 SOLVE THE BURIAL CRISIS Solve the environmental problems caused by the current type of burial in the cemetery and respond to the burial crisis by changing the type of burial. Adopt a land-saving and ecological burial method to replace traditional graves, improve the cemetery environment, and achieve sustainable development of cemetery.

PHASE 2 INCREASE MEMPRIAL SPACE The cemetery has been saturated and the overall crowdedness lacks a memorial place, creating a memorial space for the cemetery, allowing people to stay in space to miss the dead, and improving the function and significance of the urban cemetery.

PHASE 3 IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF CEMETERY For the Eastern funeral culture, most people are afraid of cemeteries. Increasing accessibility, through the design of the cemetery interface, can improve the appearance of the cemetery and make it blend more effectively into the urban environment, making it aesthetically pleasing and attractive to people, thus increasing its visibility in the city.

PHASE 4 STRENGTHEN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY Cemeteries are often forgotten in China, and people do not visit them unless it is a special commemorative holiday. A cemetery in a city is very isolated and it needs to be connected to other environments in the city. Strengthen the cemetery's connection to the community. Commemorative landscapes are not limited to cemeteries, but can also appear on the streets of communities, where people can begin their journey of remembrance from the curb. Urban cemeteries can provide new meaning and function.

5.1 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" Strategies For The Cemetery

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I STRATEGIES FOR THE CEMETERY

5.2 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" Phase 1 To Slove The Burial Crisis

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 1

PHASE 1 TO SLOVE THE BURIAL CRISIS

ECOLOGICAL BURIAL Ecological burial is a funeral method in which the remains are cremated and then the bones, skeletal remains or ashes are buried in the earth, and trees, flower beds and lawns are planted on top of them to commemorate, memorialize and green the environment, or the ashes are sprinkled directly into nature.

Ecological and land-saving burials are used instead of graves to solve the burial crisis and to make the limited land available for burial sustainable. Ecological burial is in line with the traditional concept of "burial in the ground" and symbolizes rebirth on earth. Over time, each memorial visit to the cemetery is a testament to the growth of new life, which is more meaningful than a cold grave. The first step is to establish the type of burial, which determines the form of the cemetery, and ecological burial allows urban cemeteries to achieve sustainable development in a green way.

ADVANTAGES OF ECO-BURIAL - COST SAVINGS. Green burials are often less expensive than traditional burials because you do not need to purchase a traditional casket.

- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY. Because of the materials used, they have less impact on the environment.

- SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE. Many people feel a special connection to nature. This way allows for the natural return of the deceased to the earth.

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 1

TYPES OF ECOLOGICAL BURIAL

LAWN BURIAL

FLOWER BED TREE BURIAL WALL BURIAL SCATTER ASHES BURIAL

Modern tree burial is a new form of funeral,people adopt the method of green land, plant some trees, and scatter the ashes of their loved ones under the trees. The most important feature of modern tree burial is that there are no funeral facilities on the ground, but rather a memorial tree or natural stone as

It changes the rigid and lifeless form of traditional cemeteries by replacing the grave with a flower bed, placing a specially made biodegradable urn into the flower bed. The altar space can be recycled, occupies less space.

Wall burial is a way of burial in which the urn is embedded in the wall, the wall is similar in height to an ordinary wall, but slightly thicker, with a wall grid in the shape of a well distributed on the front of the wall, the size of which can be put into the urn.

Sea burial is a kind of burial in which ashes are scattered into the sea. The ashes can also be scattered on the ground.

PHASE 1 TO SLOVE THE BURIAL CRISIS

Instead of traditional graves, ecological burials are used. The original graves are collected and covered with trees and flowers. Over time, the ecological burial method of underground containers will disappear and plants will grow.

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 1

The original place was excavated to form a sinking space for scatter ashes. Over time, the accumulation of ashes and fertilization will produce flowers. This also makes the funeral sustainable.

OUTCOME OF THE PHASE 1 Ecological burial instead of graves, in response to the growing burial crisis, cemeteries can achieve sustainable burial.

After thirty years, cemeteries will no longer be graves, but a new kind of green "forest". -TYPES OF BURIAL -ECOLOGICAL BURIAL

AFTER 20-40 YEARS

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 1

CURRENT SITUATION

AFTER 5-20 YEARS

5.3 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" Phase 2 Increase Memorial Space

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 2

PHASE 2 INCREASE MEMORIAL SPACE PRECEDENTS

National War Memorial, New Delhi India Great sense of pride and victory at the cost of their life! The memorial is a gestation on the idea of rebirth of those unsung heroes through their stories, journey and struggles translated as spatial expressions. A culmination to the historical Rajpath extending through the India Gate, the National War Memorial is an open landscaped public space spread over 42 acres in the C -hexagon. Design layers Exploded isometry of NWM complex

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 2

EVOLUTION OF THE PLAN

People gather together

People gather on the move

People can gather and have space to flow

By analyzing the precedent of the memorial park, I was inspired to create a memorial space with a strong atmosphere by combining layers in an encircle style. Considering that the topography of this area is the highest point of the cemetery, it is possible to create a specific memorial space by combining the topography with the encircle.

The memorial wall was used as a tool to form the encircle. In place of the existing graves in the area, the wall will be used to gather the graves together to provide enough space for people to mourn at the wall. Resting seats are also added to the wall so that people can have a place to stay.

WALL OF REMEMBRANCE

Standing facing the memorial wall

Sitting but unable to face the memorial

Sitting facing the memorial wall to miss

PHASE 2 INCREASE MEMORIAL SPACE In order to add a different feeling of memorial space, the ground is pulled down and the highest point of the ground is lifted up to get a subterranean space with a more quiet atmosphere of memorial. This creates two memorial spaces with different atmospheres above and below ground.

DESIGN PLAN

WALL OF REMEMBRANCE 76

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SECTION AA

SECTION BB 77

OUTCOME OF THE PHASE 2 The collection of graves at the highest point of the cemetery is integrated to provide space for a memorial wall as well as to create a memorial space.

The cemetery has two types of memorial spaces to choose from, above and below ground, as well as public recreational spaces to allow people to spend more time in the cemetery. -WALL OF REMEMBRANCE -MEMORIAL SPACE ABOVE AND BELOW GROUND -PUBLIC REST SPACE

PUBIC REST SPACE

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 2

MEMORIAL SPACE ON THE GROUND

UNDERGROUND MEMORILA SPACE

5.4 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" Phase 3 Inprove The Performance Of Cemetery PRECEDENTS PASSAGES - WALTER BENJAMIN MEMORIAL A n e n c l o s e d w e a t h e r- r e s i s t a n t s t e e l staircase leading along the rock wall to the cove suddenly stops. At the bottom, the staircase is sealed with a piece of glass. Its inscription, "It is harder to honor the unknown than the famous. With few materials and elements, the memorial evokes the pain, desperation and deep sense of tragedy associated with the experience of exile. The contrast with the glorious landscape setting heightens the feeling of uneasiness. 'The cemetery faces a small bay directly looking over the Mediterranean; it is carved in stone in terraces; the coffins are also pushed into such stone walls. It is by far one of the most fantastic and most beautiful spots I have ever seen in my life.'

ELEMENT EXTRACTION AND ITERATION

I extracted the most important element of the monument, the "passage", and iterated the "passage" to obtain a half-arc aisle, which will be used to replace the original entrance and exit, breaking the traditional sense of a gate and increasing accessibility, as people enter the "passage" towards the cemetery.

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 3

THE EVOLUTION OF DESIGN Firstly, the original building and three types of land-saving burials are preserved on the original plan, then the entrance and exit are opened, and the "passage" obtained by extracting and iterating the precedent elements is used to break the traditional gate and increase the accessibility.

PHASE 3 IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF CEMETERY PRECEDENTS FIGMENT 2010 CITY OF DREAMS: LIVING PAVILION Living Pavilion is a low-tech, low-impact installation that uses milk cartons as a framework for planting surfaces similar to a green wall. Living Pavilion strives to create a synthesis of form, structure, light and life. Through the living pavilion new ideas are obtained, the planting surface of the green wall can be used as an outer fence with the cemetery to replace the original stone fence, making the outer appearance of the cemetery green and beautiful, no longer a cold fence. At the same time, the planting surface of the greenery is also used for the interior of the "passage", through which people enter the cemetery.

THE CANTERBURY EARTHQUAKE MEMORIAL The Canterbury Earthquake Memorial is seen as a means of constructively using the lost to create a place of remembrance, and a symbol of healing. The ribbon wall that winds through the site is composed of bricks and stones from destroyed buildings and houses. The idea is to use a flowing layout to break the flow of the original straight rows of the cemetery and add fluidity, and the whole cemetery will be less dull.

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 3

THE EVOLUTION OF DESIGN Then the appearance of the cemetery is changed by replacing the original stone wall with a wall of greenery, so that the appearance of the cemetery is not so cold but alive, thus enhancing the appearance of the cemetery. Finally, the original linear flow of the cemetery is changed to increase the overall spatial fluidity through fluid movement, breaking the dullness of the cemetery layout.

PHASE 3 IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF CEMETERY During this design phase, after evolving through the design and completing tests, the master plan was drawn is the one below. The entire cemetery was re-planned as a way to enhance the performance of the cemetery, except for the original buildings and the three types of land-saving burials which remained as before.

MASTER PLAN

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MOVEMENT

STRUCTURES TO REMEMBER

VEGETATION SYSTEM

FUNCTIONAL DIVISION

After the re-planning of the cemetery, the flow of the entire movement line has become fluid, the space and structure of the memorial h a s b e c o m e c l e a r, a n d t h e v e g e t a t i o n of the cemetery has been increased, the

functionality has been improved and the zoning of the functions has become clearer.

PHASE 3 IMPROVE THE PERFORMANCE OF CEMETERY SECTIONAA presents the urban cemetery not all graves, it is not so lonely and can be better integrated into the urban environment.

SECTION BB

SECTION AA

SECTIONBB is the interface of the exit o f t h e c e m e t e r y, f r o m a d i s t a n c e t h e cemetery looks invisible, breaking the s t e r e o t y p e o f t h e c e m e t e r y, t h e s u r f a c e becomes beautiful and can attract people.

05 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" I PHASE 3

OUTCOME OF THE PHASE 3 The entrance to the cemetery was opened, and the entrance to the cemetery was made by a greenery "channel" to increase accessibility. The stone fence was replaced by a wall of greenery to enhance the appearance of the cemetery. The appearance of the cemetery is invisible, adding green space to the urban space, better integrating into the urban environment, and attracting people to the cemetery with a flowing line of movement, instead of a linear and rigid one. -GREENERY "PASSAGE" -GREENERY FENCE -MOBILITY OF THE CEMETERY

APP

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PEARANCE OF THE CEMETERY

GREENERY "PASSAGE"

VIEW OF THE CEMETERY 89

5.5 THE PROCESS OF "REBIRTH" Phase 4 Strengthen Connection With The Community Now in Eastern cultures, cemeteries are rather lonely in the city and lack connection with the community. At this stage it is about strengthening the relationship between the cemetery and the community and building connections. Remembrance can happen not only in the cemetery but also outside the cemetery. The first step is to enhance the presence in the community by placing memorial spots in the community and also to be able to have communication with the neighbors. The second is to use a projector to choose a place in the community where a screen can be placed to show a film about eco-burial to give people a better understanding of eco-burial and to raise their awareness to choose ecoburial on their own initiative.

THE EVOLUTION OF DESIGN

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MEMORIAL TREE SPOT

PROJECTED SCREEN

PHASE 4 STRENGTHEN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNITY

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OUTCOME OF THE PHASE 4 Placement of memorial tree spot on community streets, where memorials can occur outside the cemetery. Selecting a fixed point in the community to use a projector to spread knowledge and awareness of ecological burial. This phase will build community ties, spread awareness of ecological burial, and increase the functionality and meaning of the cemetery. -MEMORIAL TREE SPOTS -PROJECTOR -SCREENING OF ECO-BURIAL FILM IN THE COMMUNITY

MEMORIAL TREE SPOTS IN THE COMMUNITY

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SCREENING OF ECO-BURIAL FILM IN THE COMMUNITY

DESIGN OUTCOME THE 4 PHASES

When these four phases are completed, which can realize the ambition of project, solve the burial crisis, create an environmentally friendly memorial landscape, urban cemetery has new functions and meanings. 97

06 THE CONCLUSION

CONCLUSION The project "Rebirth" is just like its name, death is like another rebirth on earth, death is something that everyone will face. And with rebirth, a beautiful "home" is needed. In the preliminary analysis, the real data are stating a very serious problem, in the future, a quarter of the world's human beings will grow old and will die closer and closer, and where will they go. The project hopes that those who have passed away will have a "rebirth" home, which is more necessary for those who come to visit. From the most fundamental type of burial to make changes, ecological burial is not only friendly to the environment, but also a form of "rebirth", we need to cherish the limited land resources, and even the deceased can make efforts. This way make cemeteries are no longer all cold graves, but "life". In addition, it is about providing space for the living to remember, who need a better environment to visit their loved ones, the last point of contact with their loved ones. The cemetery is the bridge between life and death. For eastern cultures, people are in awe of cemeteries and feel afraid to visit them, except for special commemorative holidays. In such a city, the cemetery in the city is very lonely and people avoid it. Thus, by enhancing the appearance of the cemetery through design and breaking the traditionally perceived image, the cemetery becomes beautiful and can attract people. At the same time, connections are made with the community. By setting up memorial tree sites, memorials can take place not only inside the cemetery, but also outside. Use a projector to select a fixed location in the community for a video of ecological burial, so that people can better understand ecological burial, and the advantages, and the impact on the environment. It is hoped that more and more people will choose eco-burial and realize its significance. The goal of the project is to enhance the function and meaning of the cemetery, create a monumental landscape with environmental significance, and contribute to the sustainable development of the city.

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06 THE CONCLUSION I CONCLUSION

As stated in the analysis of the current situation of the site, although at this stage there are three types of land-saving burials in the Beijing Babaoshan Cemetery, it will take time to achieve a truly green cemetery, and it will require the improvement of people's ecological and environmental awareness and the development of society. Of course, this is inseparable from the government's encouragement and policy support. After Ten or twenty years from now, the aging population and the funeral crisis will force people to make changes, and the renewal and reform of cemeteries will unfold along with them. I believe the day will come when the new green urban cemetery will be realized. In the process of completing this project, I can gradually feel the meaning and responsibility of being a landscape architect, and the courage and confidence to continue to practice this profession in the future. Human life needs landscape, and it is a proud achievement for a landscape architect to change and create the environment through our profession. "Rebirth" needs to come to an end now, but it is not the end. For me, this is the real "rebirth", the beginning of the exploration of the memorial landscape, the beginning as a landscape architect.

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