Sustainable Development of traditional grass-rooted Community in China----Case of Hanzheng Jie District

Ref.: 124
Área temática: 04 Sin asignar
Fecha de recepción: 12/11/2008

AUTORES (* Autor principal)

Xiong, Yan * - Huazhong University Of Science And Technology (China)

EVALUACIÓN FINAL DEL COMITÉ CIENTÍFICO: Pendiente

ABSTRACT

Hanzheng Jie, one of the oldest commercial streets at the heart of Wuhan, which is one of the oldest and biggest cities in China. This paper discusses how to conserve the cultural heritages during the sustainable development under the condition of fast growing Chinese economics.
With a good geographical condition, this district has been a famous busy trading center in the middle of China for nearly five centuries. Most of residents in this district are the self-employed hucksters, Hanzheng Jie has developed its unique grass-rooted culture and commercial culture. During the last two decades Chinese economics have greatly developed, the traditional layout of this district could not afford the business and human activity boom in this area. Not only the residential density in this compact area is too large, but also the human and business activities are extremely busy. Since most of residents in this district are self-employed, and most of the buildings in this district consist of the mixed functions (i.e. living, manufacturing, and merchandising), without standardizing the expansion of this area, this district became one of the dirtiest, outdated areas in Wuhan. Thus, to reconstruct this district, the local government either conducted some destructs by pulling down some traditional buildings, or modernized this area by adding more contemporary buildings. However, those actions resulted in the facts that Hanzheng Jie gradually looses its own cultural characteristics which reflect not only on the traditional buildings in this area, but also in the lifestyle of local residents. The reconstruction program of the local government did not conserve the cultural heritages in this district, but brought huge negative impacts on the livelihood mechanisms of the local residents.
In order to protect the cultural heritages, the authors present three suggestions on the sustainable development of this historical district. Firstly, the government has to shape their mind that grass-rooted culture is also an important cultural heritage which should not be wiped out. The government should not only pay attention on the construction of the buildings and the environments, but also focus on how to protect the gross-rooted culture in this district.
Secondly, in order to get better understand of the cultural heritages in Hanzheng Jie, the government should conduct some research projects on the local social structure, such as the composition of the business activities, the life styles and cognitive culture of the local residents.
Third, in order to protect the cultural heritage of this district more efficiently, the government should invite some local residents who are familiar with the local history and cultures to join the programming of the reconstruction. The government should encourage the local residents to protect and preserve the heritage spontaneously and voluntarily.

BIBLIOGRAFÍA

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