Urban Development Shouldn't Sever Cultural Lineage

"Intensify systematic protection for important cultural, natural, and intangible cultural heritages” is a key proposition in the 14th Five-Year Plan. The responsibility for systematic protection falls on the shoulder of cities. A city's historical relics, cultural heritages and background are its life, foundation, and soul. In the rhetorical context of internet communication and cultural exchange, they are a precious source of inspirations for extracting Chinese stories and building cities' cultural images.

A city's historical and cultural heritage bears the city's peculiar emotions and memories, accumulates and conveys an abundance of cultural connotations, and exerts positive impacts on the spiritual life of a modern city in various aspects. Cities with long cultural traditions and distinctive cultural heritages have a soul and must be vivid and colorful. While a city should no doubt develop its economy, without proper protection, fair use, and continued inheritance of its cultural heritages, its source of life cannot sustain. The essence of repairing and protecting tangible and intangible cultural heritages is to protect the heritage of historical culture and a city's fountain of life.

In recent years, blind urban development and renovation in some cities severed their historical and cultural lineages, damaging a batch of cultural relics and historic sites with important historic, artistic, and scientific values, so much so that "destroy real cultural relics and make fake antiques" became a remedy for this scenario. In some cities, traditional roads transformed in the style of ancient business streets, where historical districts with unique characteristics are gradually deprived of historical information and true value. In addition, with the passage of time, certain intangible cultural heritage projects are losing the ecological environment needed for their survival, and a number of traditional local cultures, folk customs, and artistries lack successors.

The loss of city culture results in the phenomenon of "a thousand cities look the same", and "no distinction between regions" become more and more severe. If spiritual value is alienated and concealed, it will ultimately result in the loss of prosperity. If we do not control and change the current situation, leave it unrestricted and uncurbed, then the genes of city culture and historical lineage will gradually get eroded. Needless to say, if city culture seeks development and innovation but abandons its roots, then it would only create mechanical imitation and fabrication on the outwards, without any vitality, and lead to the loss of citizens' sense of identity and belonging.

In recent years, many cities have realized the value of historical-cultural heritages, and initiated protection and governance which achieved positive effects. In Nanjing, the Qinhuai River Scenic Belt from Jiqing Gate to Dinghuai Gate, the Shogunate Mountain scenic area, the Xuanwu Lake and other regions underwent cultural environment renovations, which saw the reemergence of the prosperity of the six-dynasty capital. Chengdu, known as the "Land of Abundance", and has not changed its location or name for over 2,000 years, is also gaining recognition both domestically and abroad for its unique Shu culture. Fuzhou's famous historical district - "Three Lanes and Seven Alleys" - experienced full repair, which not only recorded changes in the history, culture, and thoughts of the city, but also became a symbol of Fuzhou's city characteristics, customs, and culture.

Urban historical culture protection is a systematic project and a long-term mission, which requires full societal participation and sustained efforts. City development requires cultural advancement, spiritual support. The protection of a city's historical and cultural lineage must be incorporated in its innovation and cohesion, and integrated into its overall development planning. In acting to upgrade the city, one needs to have "a heart of respect", to protect a city's historical memories, enhance its regional cultural identity and cultural awareness, increase its cultural confidence, cultivate the responsibility and sense of pride in its citizens, and protect the city's source of life. In essence, this demonstrates reverence, admiration, and great love for a city's culture.

Contributed by Yin Caixiang, special guest research fellow, Center for the Study of Xi Jinping Thoughts on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics of Jiangsu Province; professor, School of Marxism ,Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology

Translated by Zhang Junye