The publication reinforced my conviction about Yin and Yang influence on 5 element balance and applying this method alone could stimulate positive chi energy accumulation in our surroundings. Complimentary Feng Shui publications suggested beneficial chi accumulation was favoured if the site was protected from external sha (negative or detrimental) intrusions. In some situations, external intrusions being negated by applying the tiger, dragon, tortoise and phoenix quadrant around the boundaries to the site.
My first introduction to Feng Shui occurred at Port Douglas in Queensland and a discussion with a couple of people enthused with the subject. I had no idea what they were talking about and following the discussion I drew on a sheet of paper what I thought chi energies represented. The image showed beneficial (sheng) chi was highest in a ''core'' of chi and the core protected by a mantle of supportive chi energy. Detrimental chi energies couldn't access the core and the level of beneficial chi accumulation was in turn governed by the controlling or stimulating influences of chi entry to the site and treatments applied to prolong beneficial chi energy.
I suggested these treatments were clean, smooth, meandering lines of space for chi to move along and guided by the edges or boundaries which didn't contain sha chi influences. In other words the core was protected by a mantle of beneficial chi and chi was able to move freely around and stimulate the core. The core was nurtured by beneficial chi and chi in a sense could accumulate within the core. Like some type of nucleus.
If this scenario is valid and could be transferred to a site, it indicated a core (or place we want to retreat into and garnish beneficial chi energies), was a place where harmony could evolve. The core was a nucleus of beneficial chi energies. Surrounding the core, open space for uninterrupted chi flow to meander and garnish beneficial chi influences emulating from the boundaries. Additionally, a mantle of supportive chi formed physically by screening, etc. Entry to the chi chamber through an entry designed to discourage detrimental chi (sha) and allow beneficial (sheng) chi to pass through. In summary, a process where beneficial chi energies were in a progressive accumulation mode.
This theory I suspect could be treated as an environmental science but cannot be quantified other than presumption and comparison with similar phenomenon.
Coming back to the topic, that sketch was drawn over 10 years ago and I had inadvertently by-passed Feng Shui readings and created a notion the ancient Chinese Taoists would have inspired to. This is conjecture of course. But it's interesting.
These interpretations could be taken further and use of the acronym PEA (positive energy accumulation) given to describe a useful urban design and planning tool.
In essence, the site offers a potential encapsulation of beneficial chi energies for all the benefits and physically discourages detrimental sha chi influences through the design process.
For example East Nowra on the New South Wales South Coast contains a public housing estate which had a reputation as an undesirable place to live. The area possesses all there is to discourage sheng or beneficial chi and basically is a sha chi goldmine. Street crime, violence and family disharmony. Poor visual aesthetics, uncompromising soils and topography, juxtaposition of housing types, poor public transport to name a few dissuasions to want to live there. Bad enough for a tenants association to form and they seeking solutions to harmonise the community and apply reforms to make their community more cohesive.
Sheng or beneficial chi influences was unlikely to enter and accumulate within the area unless the sha influences could be downgraded. For example improving public transport, urban beautification, streetscaping, upgrading public open space, supervision for recreational activity, neighbourhood watch, access to policing and health care, and refurbishing the existing housing stock. Suggesting once the sha chi energies have been abated the area becomes more hospitable and harmonious.
The flagrancies of the East Nowra example could be represented in any design concept to identify the influences of negative influences to harmony and using sha and sheng chi energy influences as the means to do so. The outcome is humanistic and responds to what nature intended and that is harmonious interaction between what to the site can yield with its occupants.
The concept of PEA as a design and planning tool could be the subject of an interesting and ongoing study with beneficial outcomes to urban design and livability.