Elite poems and mass proverbs: exploring the historic landscape in Nanchang City, China

The rapid process of urbanisation has led to the erosion of the preservation of features of urban landscape. Research on historical landscapes in ancient urban planning has predominantly concentrated on the elite class, neglecting the broader population. Nanchang, a city with a history spanning over two millennia of urban development, is the focus of this study. The study integrates elite poems and mass proverbs through GIS spatial matching and KH Coder word frequency analysis to research the historic landscape in Nanchang City. The research uncovers that the elite class focuses on the historical, literary, and aesthetic aspects of Nanchang, while the masses emphasise urban structure, functionality, and aspirations. These dual perspectives underscore Nanchang's evolution from inception to formalisation, highlighting its ability to cater to diverse societal needs. The efforts on the distribution of landscape spots and strict modulus reflect the adaptability and sustainability of Nanchang City.