The Hermit — Identify Dujiangyan by Local Food Culture Siyu Lu, China
SOCAIL IDENTITY CONCEPT COLLAGE
“While the ‘lesser hermit’ lives in seclusion in the country, the ‘great hermit’ does so in the city. The hermit is now representing a spirit that people can enjoy the most quiet, comfortable relaxation, great quality of Sustainable Urban Dynamics
life implicit in cities."
82
As a city with one of the most ancient water irrigating system, Dujiangyan is not only a city having historical cultural heritage, but also a city having rich natural heritage. However, during the research, it was found that the imbalance between natural landscape and urban development has gradually happened. When it comes to Dujiangyan, most of the people only know about its water irrigating project and the mountains, but nothing about the city itself, which has resulted to the seperated city image, as well as the loss of historic cultural heritage. Acturally being the birthplace of chama (tea-horse) commercial road, farming civilization, silk culture and Taoism... Dujiangyan should have much to say about its own story in city areas. Therefore, what a pity for a city with a 5000-year-history to lose its own identities during urban process.
Then, as a city located in naturestore, could Dujiangyan making use of its unique local food culture as a starting point, to introduce its stories to travelers, and sustain the slow-down life style(as a city for hermits) at the same time? The design plan focusing on two main user groups of the site--local elderly&travellers, and providing a vision as follows: Making Dujinagyan be a livable, tourist city with slow urban lifestyle and self-sufficient society by building up local specialty production system and combining it with tourist experience in the site.
