PLAN Magazine #9: UPAT Suzhou, China - Beyond Heritage by ISOCARP

Foreword

With a history of over 2500 years, the Grand Canal of China was initially constructed in the 5th century BC. It is one of the longest and most ancient engineering systems in the world that was planned, invested, developed and managed by a centralized state to ensure the safety of grain transportation, and to further stabilize the political regime and maintain unity in the empire. The Grand Canal has greatly promoted the economic and social development of both North and South China. It also boosted the prosperity of cities and towns along the canal. Many well-known cities such as Beijing, Yangzhou, Suzhou and Hangzhou are closely related with the canal. Their waterfronts have maintained a large number of cultural heritage sites, cultural resources and historical neighborhoods, reflecting a symbiotic relationship between the canal and the city as well as the specific canal culture. In 2017, The national government stressed the significance of cultural heritage protection along the Grand Canal and announced the plan for developing the Grand Canal National Culture Park. It would be an unprecedented, innovative system of high scientific and practical value. To enrich the practical experience of developing the National Culture Park, Jiangsu Province took the initiative in 2018 to explore concepts, strategies and implementation approaches from a planning perspective. It is expected to enable both local inhabitants and global tourists to experience the essence of local cultural characteristics through planning and design. We also hope that this project can put forward more strategies for the protection, inheritance and utilization of cultural resources with a global view. The project is ultimately targeted to revitalize and activate the spatial functions and quality of selected sites with attractive public cultural spaces.

前言

中国大运河的开凿始于公元前5世纪，有着2500余年的历史，是世界上最长、历史最悠久的工程体系。它是由国家规划、投资、建设和管理的，以达到确保粮食运输安全、稳定政权和维持国家统一的目的。中国大运河极大地促进了中国南北经济与社会的发展，带动了沿线城镇的兴盛。北京、扬州、苏州和杭州等著名城市均分布在运河沿线，并与运河形成了非常紧密的关系。滨河地段留有大量文化遗产、文化资源和历史文化街区，反映了历史上运河与城市共生的关系以及运河文化特色。

为了更好地彰显中国大运河的文化遗产价值，中国政府决定建设大运河国家文化公园。这是一项前所未有的制度创新，有着较高的学术研究价值。为了更好地探索大运河国家文化公园建设的实践经验，江苏省于2018年率先开展了这项试点工作，从规划设计的角度探讨国家文化公园建设的理念、策略与实施路径。我们希望通过规划设计过程与成果的发布，让本地居民和世界游客都能够深刻体验到丰富、精彩的地域文化特色。我们也希望通过规划设计的针对性研究，能够对文化资源的保护、传承、利用提出更具国际视野的策略建议，使设计地段得到复兴与活化，成为更具魅力和吸引力的公共文化活动空间。

Plan Suzhou

With support from the Publicity Department of Jiangsu Provincial CPC Committee, the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Jiangsu Province and the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, from the 15th to 22nd of November 2018, the Grand Canal National Culture Park (Jiangsu Section) International Design Workshop was successfully held in Suzhou. The workshop was co-hosted by the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), the Urban Planning Society of China (UPSC) and the Office of the Grand Canal Cultural Belt Development Leadership Group of Jiangsu Province. It was organized by the Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design (JUP) and the Office of Suzhou Grand Canal Cultural Belt Development Leadership Group. According to the theme “Cultural Heritage Protection, Function Activation and Spatial Quality Improvement”, the team (formed of 26 experts from 7 countries) carried out a research and design project on multiple levels. The insightful results of their work are presented in this PLAN edition for your reading interest and enlightenment.

在中共江苏省委宣传部、江苏省住房和城乡建设厅、江苏省外事办公室的支持下，2018年11月15 日-22日，“大运河国家文化公园（江苏段）国际设计工作坊”在苏州成功举办。活动由国际城市与区域规划师学会（ISOCARP）、中国城市规划学会（UPSC）以及江苏省大运河文化带建设工作领导小组办公室主办，由江苏省城市规划设计研究院（JUP）、苏州市大运河文化带建设工作领导小组办公室承办。来自7个国家的26位专家组成的团队以“文化遗产保护、功能活化和空间品质提升”为主题，在不同层面进行了研究和规划设计。谨以此期PLAN杂志向您呈现本次设计工作坊的主要成果。

MEI Yaolin President of Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

梅耀林

YAO Xiuli Head of Research Center, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

姚秀利

Opening Ceremony of UPAT workshop in Suzhou (Source: JUP)

江苏省城市规划设计研究院院长

江苏省城市规划设计研究院研究中心主任

Editors’ Note

编者按

John Echlin, Florence Vannoorbeeck, Rapporteurs

John Echlin, Florence Vannoorbeeck 报告人

This edition of PLAN Magazine focuses on the International Design Workshop of the Grand Canal National Culture Park (Jiangsu Section) held in November 2018 in Suzhou, China. This workshop was co-hosted by ISOCARP and the UPSC, co-organized by the JUP and the local government of Suzhou. During the whole event, we received great support from the Publicity Department of Jiangsu Provincial CPC Committee, the Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Jiangsu Province and the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government. For us as workshop participants, it was an extraordinary learning experience that will forever be a significant reference event in our professional lives. While nearly impossible to capture this experience on paper, we have attempted to represent in this edition the rich and varied viewpoints of the collaborators in a series of essays while documenting the outcomes and recommendations of the workshop. We hope these contributions will provide meaningful observations and guidance to the development of the Suzhou section of the Grand Canal National Culture Park and that our exploration in Suzhou can also serve as inspiration for other cities crossed and bordered by the Grand Canal along its entire length.

此期PLAN杂志的主题聚焦于2018年11月在中国苏州成功举办的大运河国家文化公园（江苏段）国际设计工作坊。此次工作坊由国际城市与区域规划师学会和中国城市规划学会主办，由江苏省城市规划设计研究院和苏州地方政府具体承办。整个活动过程中，中共江苏省委宣传部、江苏省住房和城乡建设厅以及江苏省外事办公室给予了我们极大的支持。对于每一位工作坊的成员来说，这是一次难得的学习体验，也会永远成为我们职业生涯中的一个重要事件。虽然很难将真实体验完整展现，我们仍然努力尝试在此刊中通过一系列的文章来展示来自参与者的丰富多元的观点，并且记录下工作坊的成果与建议。我们希望这些成果能够为大运河国家文化公园苏州段的发展提供有意义的观点与指导，同时也希望我们对于苏州的探索可以启发大运河沿线的其他城市。

作为工作坊的延续，本刊的文章是由UPAT专家 Like the workshop itself, the essays that follow are a collaborative effort between members of the ISOCARP Urban Planning Advisory Teams (UPAT) and the JUP Teams. We begin with an introductory essay ‘The Grand Canal of China: Heritage Revisited’ by Milena Ivković, ISOCARP Vice President for UPAT, that provides the backstory to the workshop and highlights the main themes to be explored. This is followed by Dushko Bogunovich, with his personal observations and recommendations as the UPAT team leader in ‘The Grand Canal of China: Turning the Corner in Suzhou’. Next, we have a series of essays that explore the deep and expansive history of the Grand Canal viewed from very different perspectives. Liu Zhichao describes the national context in ‘The Grand Canal of China, Heritage of the World’, Florence Vannoorbeeck explores ‘The Grand Canal in Jiangnan: Origin and Development of a Multifunctional Infrastructure’ and Yuting Tai brings an understanding of the cultural meaning of water for Chinese society in ‘From Retrospective to Prospective: Re-embracing Water Cultures.’

与JUP团队共同努力的成果。我们以ISOCARP副主席 Milena Ivkovic的《中国大运河：再访遗产》作为引子，讲述了工作坊的背景故事，突出了主要的探索方向。随后 UPAT领队Dushko Bogunovich在《中国大运河：改变苏州的转角》中提出了个人洞察和建议。我们在随后的一系列文章中从不同的视角探索了深远而广阔的大运河历史。刘志超在《中国大运河：世界的遗产》中描绘了大运河在国家层面上的意义 Florence Vannoorbeeck等人探寻了《江南运河：一个多功能基础设施的起源和发展》。邰玉婷以“水” 对于中国社会的文化意义作为出发点带来了《从回顾到展望：水文化的回归》。

Plan Suzhou

For context, we include a few facts and figures that provide a snapshot of today’s Suzhou, together with an illustration of the workshop process. A highlight of the workshop was the evening Millennium Canal Salon, a cultural event that combined a Suzhou opera performance together with an informative dialogue with local experts and residents. Our group research-by-design analysis was based on site visits expertly choreographed by the host and intensive team collaboration. The results of this effort are summarized as our ‘Challenges, Issues and Opportunities Identified in the Workshop’. Following this, are the workshop design investigations, conducted at three scales agreed upon by the collaborators; the city scale, addressing the larger relationship of Suzhou and the Grand Canal, the master plan scale, corresponding to the 3km Shantang to Panmen section of the Grand Canal, and the detailed design scale of the Panmen site itself. The condensed nature of a workshop leaves many ideas on the table as collective efforts must focus on a limited set of priorities. To complement the workshop, we include a series of follow-up essays that provide further thoughts and reflections on themes that emerged from the workshop. Suo Chao and Fan Sijia consider ‘Heritage Activation: Bringing the Grand Canal Back to Daily Life’. Arunava Sarkar offers a lesson on the relationship of heritage river systems and cities from his native India in ‘Learning from Varanasi: A node in the River of Eternal Life’. Olga Chepelianskaia looks at the role of stakeholder engagement and creating a holistic heritage experience in ‘Suzhou and Beyond: Three Key Ingredients to Make Heritage Work Today’. John Echlin provides a perspective on the evolving role of water, nature and human activities in cities in ‘The Suzhou Grand Canal Revitalization: Re-envisioning the Role of Water’. Sebastien Goethals, as an expert in urban mobility, looks at ‘The Grand Canal Waterfront of Suzhou: a Connector for the People’ and Milena Ivković offers her insights into the nature of design in historic contexts in ‘Setting the Scene for Panmen: Strategic Design for Heritage’. We conclude with a personal reflection from Liu Zhichao ‘The Flowing Heritage’ that serves as a poignant afterword for the experience and a summary of the contri-

在内容上，我们通过一些事实、数据，以及工作坊的日程记录，给当代苏州提供了一个“快照”。整个工作坊的一大亮点是“千年运河沙龙”活动。沙龙结合了昆曲表演与嘉宾对谈，邀请了当地专家和居民共同参与。我们在由承办方精心安排的基地考察和高强度的团队合作上展开了以设计为分析方法的研究，并将主要成果概况为《在工作坊中识别挑战、问题与机遇》。随后，团队在三个不同尺度的层面上展开了设计调研：在城市尺度上强调苏州与大运河的整体关系；在总体设计尺度上关注从山塘到盘门段3公里的大运河；以及在详细设计尺度上对应盘门基地。

虽然我们在工作坊中迸发了诸多想法，然而我们必须聚焦于有限的重点。作为工作坊成果的补充延伸，以下文章为工作坊的各主题提供了更为深入的思考与解析。索超和樊思嘉探讨了《遗产活化：让大运河重新回归日常生活》。Arunava Sarkar从他的祖国印度的视角出发，在《向瓦拉纳西学习：永生之河上的一个节点》中讨论了有关遗产河道系统与城市的关系。Olga Chepelianskaia在《苏州之上：当今遗产活化的三个关键要素》中关注了利益相关者的参与，以及创造整体的遗产体验。John Echlin在《苏州大运河复兴：重设“水”的角色》中提出了一个有关城市中水、自然和人群活动角色转变的视角。Sebastien Goethals作为一个城市交通方向的专家，关注于《苏州大运河滨水空间：沟通的纽带》。Milena Ivkovic在《盘门之场景设置：遗产的设计策略》中探讨了在历史语境下的设计本质。我们以刘志超的个人感悟收尾，并在刊末简短总结了闭幕式上特邀专家和领导们的精彩点评。

butions from invited outside experts who attended the closing ceremony and provided us with considerable wisdom. We would like to acknowledge and express our sincere thanks and appreciation to our hosts the JUP and the Suzhou government for their flawless organization and warm hospitality, truly providing a home away from home for the visiting UPAT experts. From the personal assistants assigned to each UPAT participant, to the workshop venue and hotel location immediately adjacent to the Panmen site, to the well-prepared project documentation, curated site visits, simultaneous translation facilitated throughout, the unexpected media attention and coverage, the unforgettable Millennium Salon, and not least, our immersion in WeChat culture, the organizers exceeded all our expectations in preparation, making our participation in the workshop a true and humbling pleasure. We have made life-long friends with our organizers colleagues through the experience and appreciate their many thoughtful and passionate insights, endless good humor and patient tolerance entertaining all of our questions. We hope that this PLAN edition may give you a sense of the real outcomes and shared rewards of this invaluable UPAT experience.

最后，我们要特别对此次工作坊的承办方江苏省城市规划设计研究院、苏州市政府以及相关部门机构表示最诚挚的感谢，感谢他们的完美组织与热情款待，为被邀请的UPAT专家提供了如家一般舒适的工作环境，例如给每位工作坊专家安排的一对一志愿者服务，紧邻盘门基地的工作室和酒店，精心准备的项目资料，认真策划的基地考察，同声传译服务的配备，意想不到的媒体报道，难忘的千年运河沙龙，以及我们对微信文化的融入。他们的筹备超出了我们的期待，使我们深感荣幸。通过这次经历，我们与中国的同行们结下了深厚的友谊，感谢他们周到而热情的安排、幽默感以及耐心的回应。我们希望本刊PLAN杂志可以向您展示此次工作坊的宝贵经历、成果与收获。

Workshop participants (Source: JUP)

Plan Suzhou

Content

INTRODUCTION

简介

Foreword

前言

Editors’ Note

编者按

By John Echlin, Florence Vannoorbeeck

8 12

Table of Contents Contributors

BACKGROUND PERSPECTIVES 20

The Grand Canal of China

Heritage Revisited

John Echlin, Florence Vannoorbeeck

8 12

Turning the Corner in Suzhou

专家团队

背景观察

By Milena Ivković

The Grand Canal of China

中国大运河

再访遗产 Milena Ivković

中国大运河

改变苏州的转角 Dushko Bogunovich

By Dushko Bogunovich

The Grand Canal of China

Heritage of the World

中国大运河

世界的遗产刘志超

By LIU Zhichao 江南运河 The Grand Canal in Jiangnan

Origin and Development of a Multifunctional Infrastructure By Florence Vannoorbeeck, Christian Nolf, Zaozao Wang

一个多功能基础设施的起源和发展 Florence Vannoorbeeck, Christian Nolf, Zaozao Wang

从回顾到展望

From Retrospective to Prospective

Re-embracing Water Cultures

水文化的回归邰玉婷

By TAI Yuting

Suzhou Facts and Figures

苏州概况

Workshop Process

工作坊日程

Millennium Canal Salon

千年运河沙龙

Challenges, Issues and Opportunities

挑战、问题与机遇

WORKSHOP INVESTIGATIONS

工作坊成果

城市尺度

The City Scale

Past, Present and Future of the Grand Canal in Suzhou The Master Plan Scale

Re-imagining Shantang to Panmen The Detailed Design Scale

Towards a Revitalized Panmen Heritage and Innovation District

大运河苏州段的过去、现在和未来总体设计

重塑山塘到盘门段

深化设计

盘门遗产区的复兴与创新

Plan Suzhou

REFLECTIONS

反馈与延伸

Heritage Activation

Bringing the Grand Canal Back to Daily Life

遗产活化

让大运河重新回归日常生活索超、樊思嘉

By SUO Chao & FAN Sijia

Learning from Varanasi

A Node in the River of Eternal Life

向瓦拉纳西学习

永生之河上的一个节点 Arunava Sarkar

By Arunava Sarkar

苏州之上

Suzhou and Beyond

Three Key Ingredients to Make Heritage Work Today

当今遗产活化的三个关键要素 Olga Chepelianskaia

By Olga Chepelianskaia

The Suzhou Grand Canal Revitalization

Re-envisioning the Role of Water

苏州大运河复兴

重设“水”的角色 John Echlin

By John Echlin

The Grand Canal Waterfront of Suzhou

A Connector for the People

By Sebastien Goethals

Setting the Scene for Panmen

Strategic Design for Heritage

The Flowing Heritage

The Closing Ceremony and Chinese Expert Voices

盘门之场景设置

遗产的设计策略 Milena Ivković

By LIU Zhichao

100

沟通的纽带 Sebastien Goethals

By Milena Ivković

苏州大运河滨水空间

100

流动的遗产刘志超

闭营仪式与特邀专家点评

Plan Suzhou

工作坊国际专家

Workshop International Experts

杜马丁 MARTIN DUBBELING

米勒娜-伊夫科维奇 MILENA IVKOVIĆ

荷兰 The Netherlands

国际城市与区域规划师学会主席 President of ISOCARP, the Netherlands

国际城市与区域规划师学会副主席 Vice President of ISOCARP, the Netherlands

专业方向：城市规划，景观设计与环境 Expertise: Urban planning, landscape architecture, environment

工作坊总协调员 UPAT Coordinator

杜什科-博古诺维奇 DUSHKO BOGUNOVICH

弗洛伦斯-凡诺贝克 FLORENCE VANNOORBEECK

新西兰 New Zealand

比利时 Belgium

奥克兰大学（新西兰） The University of Auckland, New Zealand

中国西交利物浦大学（苏州） Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, China

工作坊领队 UPAT team leader 专业方向：滨水设计，可持续战略性城市设计 Expertise: Waterfront design, sustainability, strategic urban design

专业方向：公共空间设计，历史街区更新 Expertise: Public space design, historical urban renewal

工作坊报告人 UPAT Rapporteur 专业方向：文化遗产保护，城市更新，水相关设计 Expertise: Heritage and conservation, urban renewal, water-related design

约翰-艾世林 JOHN ECHLIN

顾希 SÉBASTIEN GOETHALS

瑞士 Switzerland

比利时 Belgium

瑞士ECHLIN规划咨询 Echlin Planning Advisory, Switzerland

ISOCARP副主席技术协助 ISOCARP VP Technical Assistance, the Netherlands

工作坊报告人 UPAT Rapporteur

专业方向：城市流动性，战略性整体规划 Expertise: Urban mobility, strategic integral planning

专业方向：滨水改建，综合功能设计 Expertise: Waterfront redevelopment, mixed-use programming

邰玉婷 YUTING TAI

奥尔加-查普利安斯卡亚 OLGA CHEPELIANSKAIA

中国 China

法国 France

代尔夫特理工大学城市规划博士 Dr., guest researcher, Urbanism, TU Delft, the Netherlands

法国UNICITI，国际城市可持续发展咨询 UNICITI, International Urban Sustainability Consultant, France

专业方向：水相关规划与设计，三角洲城市化 Expertise: Water-related planning and design, delta urbanism

专业方向：城市遗产政策，气候金融，文化遗产政策 Expertise: Urban heritage policies, climate finance and cultural heritage policies

阿鲁纳瓦-萨卡尔 ARUNAVA SARKAR 印度 India 阿联酋AE7 MORSE建筑事务所 Ae7 Morse Architecture, Abu Dhabi 专业方向：综合功能设计，城市更新 Expertise: Mixed use programming, urban renewal

Plan Suzhou

工作坊国内专家

Workshop Domestic Experts

梅耀林 MEI YAOLIN

刘春凯 LIU CHUNKAI

江苏省城市规划设计研究院院长，江苏省城市规划研究会副理事长 President of Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design, Vice Chairman of Jiangsu Planning Society

西安市城市规划设计研究院，院副总工程师、教授级高级工程师 Deputy Chief Engineer, Professor-level Senior Engineer, Xi’an City Planning and Design Institute

专业方向：城乡规划编制，大运河国家文化公园规划 Expertise: Urban and rural planning formulation, Grand Canal National Culture Park planning

专业方向：历史文化名城保护，城市设计 Expertise: Conservation of historical cities, urban design

袁锦富 YUAN JINFU

刘志超 LIU ZHICHAO

江苏省城市规划设计研究院总规划师，教授级高级规划师 Chief Planner, Professor-level Senior Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

江苏省城市规划设计研究院副总规划师，高级规划师 Deputy Chief Planner, Senior Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

专业方向：城乡规划编制与研究 Expertise: Urban and rural planning and research

专业方向：城市总体规划，历史文化名城保护规划 Expertise: Master planning, conservation and planning of historical cities

姚秀利 YAO XIULI

冯斐菲 FENG FEIFEI

江苏省城市规划设计研究院研究中心主任，高级规划师 Head of Research Center and Senior Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

北京市城市规划设计研究院，教授级高级工程师 Professor-level Senior Engineer, Beijing Municipal Institute of City Planning and Design

专业方向：大运河国家文化公园规划编制理论与方法 Expertise: Theory and method of the Grand Canal National Culture Park Planning

专业方向：古城保护与更新，社区营造 Expertise: Protection and renewal of historical cities, community development

张潇潇 ZHANG XIAOXIAO

李苑常 LI YUANCHANG

广州市城市规划勘测设计研究院，风景园林高级工程师 Senior Engineer of Landscape Design, Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Survey Research Institute

江苏省城市规划设计研究院城市规划师 Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

专业方向：公共空间设计，滨水湿地景观从规划到实施全过程 Expertise: Public space design, waterfront wetland planning and implementation

专业方向：中微观规划与城市设计 Expertise: Medium and small scale urban planning and design

汤蕾 TANG LEI

樊思嘉 FAN SIJIA

江苏省城市规划设计研究院主任规划师，研究员级高级规划师 Senior Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

江苏省城市规划设计研究院城市规划师 Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

专业方向：旧城更新，历史文化遗产保护 Expertise: Urban renewal, historical and cultural heritage protection

专业方向：中微观城市设计，建筑设计 Expertise: Medium and small scale urban design, architectural design

顾新辰 GU XINCHEN

黄一鸣 HUANG YIMING

江苏省城市规划设计研究院城市规划师 Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

江苏省城市规划设计研究院景观设计师 Landscape Designer, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

专业方向：中微观城市设计 Expertise: Medium and small scale urban design

专业方向：风景园林规划与设计 Expertise: Landscape planning and design

Plan Suzhou

工作坊国内专家

Workshop Domestic Experts

索超 SUO CHAO

罗超 LUO CHAO

江苏省城市规划设计研究院城市规划师 Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

苏州科技大学建筑与城市规划学院城乡规划系，系主任、副教授 Dean and associate professor of urban planning department, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Suzhou University of Science and Technology

专业方向：城市总体规划，战略规划 Expertise: Master planning, strategic planning

专业方向：城市更新和遗产保护 Expertise: Urban regeneration and heritage conservation

梁印龙 LIANG YINLONG

王勇 WANG YONG

江苏省城市规划设计研究院城市规划师 Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design

苏州科技大学建筑与城市规划学院副院长、教授苏州国家历史文化名城保护研究院副院长 Professor and associate dean of urban planning department, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Vice President of Suzhou Institute for the Conservation of National Historical Cities

专业方向：城市设计，土地利用规划 Expertise: Urban design, land use planning

徐肖薇 XU XIAOWEI 江苏省城市规划设计研究院苏州分院城市规划师 Planner, Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design – Suzhou Branch 专业方向：城乡规划与设计 Expertise: Urban and rural planning and design

专业方向：城乡空间发展与治理 Expertise: Urban and rural spatial development and governance

Plan Suzhou

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Background perspectives Plan P lan S Suzhou uzhou

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The Grand Canal of China

Heritage Revisited Milena Ivković

In September 2018, upon the invitation of the Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design (JUP) and as a part of the Panmen-Shantang ISOCARP UPAT workshop preparation, I visited several major cities along the Grand Canal of China: Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Wuxi, and Suzhou itself. My previous knowledge about this marvellous waterworks and World Cultural Heritage site was put to the test! Hydraulic structures, both ancient and new, shipping facilities and dockyards, administration offices and military checkpoints, poetry and music, architecture and gardens — all these layers can be seen and felt in this unique cultural landscape. Despite the sheer difference in scale between European (predominantly Dutch) canal cities’ networks and major European border-crossing rivers (like the Rhine or the Danube), a very clear common point is evident, the notion of a shared space. More than just a maze of waterworks, the Grand Canal is a road, a passage, and a lifeline that connects so much throughout its 2500 years of history. The government with people, commercial enterprises with cities, military posts with infrastructure, cultural high-points with water landscape are all tied together through the presence of the Grand Canal. How can this magnificent spatial structure help inspire modern solutions that Chinese cities need right now? The status as a National Culture Park is one of the instruments meant to stimulate this approach and connect the future of the Grand Canal cities with their glorious past. For Suzhou, the Grand Canal has been of prime importance. It has influenced the city’s economic development, urban form and many of its cultural features. This history is a remarkable testimony to the dynamic transformation of the city — from an old walled city to a classical garden city and eventually to industrial capital. The Panmen location is a prominent example of how the Grand Canal and the waterways leading to it have played an important role in forming the city’s distinctive urban form and land-use (programmatic, functional) patterns. In November 2018, a select group of ISOCARP urban professionals from around the globe travelled to Suzhou for a 5-day collaborative workshop. Together with colleagues from the JUP at the Panmen-Shantang location, this group of international experts began the first

two days by conducting intensive fieldwork to identify the types of Canal-related heritage sites in Suzhou. They worked from small scale site-specific features eventually to the regional scale. To cover all of the complexities, the international and local experts worked together in three groups: the Suzhou city and Grand Canal system, the canal heritage in the wider Panmen area (the master plan area) and the canal culture heritage site in the Panmen neighborhood itself (the detailed design area). The connecting narrative across the three scales was to focus on adaptive re-use of the many heritage–related facilities and public spaces around Panmen. The challenge for finding the right set of recommendations for all these scales was not to interfere with the authenticity and integrity of any protected heritage areas, but find the right spatial and urban design strategies for functional upgrades and improvements. The team eventually came up with an elaborate proposal for both non-invasive recommendations as well as moderate interventions in the public space to upgrade or transform the surrounding neighborhood, building upon existing heritage features such as the Old Silk Factory and existing canals. This issue of PLAN Magazine presents a comprehensive overview of these solutions, as well as a series of in-depth essays from the international and local experts. The results of the workshop provide a comprehensive view of many issues surrounding heritage preservation and urban renewal. There are many differences between a Western approach to the concept of heritage, and the Eastern understanding of the topic. To a large extent, it is impossible to simply “export” widely accepted “Western” methods of heritage conservation and its integration into the process of urban renewal. As the ISOCARP experts’ team discovered, during the many conversations with their JUP Chinese colleagues, Chinese planning practice has some practical gaps (e.g. the rigid conservation and protection laws structure vs. intensive revitalization and renewal of the inner cities) that need to be bridged. Integration of urban planning and heritage conservation is a big and demanding task, and I am proud that this ISOCARP UPAT workshop could contribute to a better understanding of that task. Enjoy reading this issue of PLAN Magazine!

Plan Suzhou

The Grand Canal of China

Turning the Corner in Suzhou Dushko Bogunovich

In November 2018, I had the great honor and considerable responsibility of coordinating an extraordinary collection of planning talent. I was invited to lead a select group of ISOCARP members and a select team of planners from the Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design (JUP) from Nanjing as they joined forces in an intense week-long design workshop focused on the Panmen district of the Suzhou segment of the Grand Canal of China. The week is bound to remain one of the most memorable episodes of my 40-year long career. The workshop had an ‘advisory’ role and was to produce non-binding ‘recommendations’. However, after some 80 hours of intense commitment, it also yielded a few insights which go deeper and wider than the original brief and site. These insights pertain to: • the entire mega-project of the Grand Canal National Culture Park; • the discipline of historic preservation;

Panmen areal image (Source: TI Gong SHINE Shanghai Daily)

• •

the future of urbanization in China; and the growing global concern with climate change.

The Grand Canal of China (大运河) is the longest human-made waterway in the world, running almost 1800 km from Beijing in the north, to Hangzhou in the south. While the primary purpose of this masterpiece of civil engineering was the transport of grains from the fertile south to the politically powerful and militarily vital north, it inevitably became a communication channel too. As information, ideas, innovation, customs and fashion started travelling both ways, the Grand Canal made China one country. Sometime half-way through the workshop, some of us started wondering if, once again in the long history of China, this corridor of commerce and influence could become a model of life for a major part of the nation? And whether the bold project of the Grand Canal Nation-

al Culture Park (GCNCP) could become a model for the whole world of how to not only protect and maintain a significant example of transport engineering and the way of life that goes with it, but also how to discover and exemplify a better relationship between human society and our host planet? Indeed, the aspiration of this project from the start was to go beyond merely protecting, repairing, restoring and curating the built heritage and ‘Canal Culture’ as they once were. The idea was to also sensitively develop them in a manner which would ensure their prosperity and visibility. However, during the workshop, it dawned on the team that the GCNCP could also demonstrate a new model of sustainability and resilience for many other water-oriented cities and towns. One of the most picturesque segments of the Grand Canal is in Suzhou. Here, the Canal forms the western moat of the Ancient City. The City’s south-west corner is the site of the famous Panmen Gate—a unique feat of ancient engineering in which a land-gate and water-gate have been built next to each other as a well-guarded dual entry into the city. The entire area – approximately one square kilometer – was the subject of the workshop. What strikes a visitor to this area – or to Old City Suzhou in general – is the stunning serenity of the canal environment. The mastery of engineering impresses later, after one has realized – with the help of texts, photographs and maps – the scale and technological sophistication

of the Grand Canal. It was this sense of time-stopping beauty that inspired the team to think beyond the merely ‘technical’. By the end of the workshop week, Team 1 (City Scale) came up with the three-tiered vision of a ‘knowledge corridor’ in economic terms; ‘public space on water’ in societal terms; and ‘sponge city’ in environmental terms. The waterway was to be the catalyst for a well-balanced trio of economic prosperity, social wellbeing and environmental resilience. Team 2 (Master Plan Scale) identified ‘identity’, ‘continuity’ and ‘connectivity’ as the principal issues, and went on to argue the case for ‘water mobility’ as a form of public transport on the Canal. The pragmatic human transport function in the canal was to be flanked by a ‘passive recreation belt’ and an ‘active recreation belt’ on its inner and outer banks, respectively. Team 3 (Detailed Design Scale) chose a design strategy carefully timed in three steps: first, small-scale urban renewal and upgrade projects; then moderate physical interventions to maintain the economic-productive role of the area; and finally, ‘ambitious heritage-based development at the city scale’. While, in summary, the above recommendations may sound somewhat ‘ordinary’, the point is that the Panmen area is a unique and abundant heritage cluster (city wall; fortifications; land gate; water gate; the bridge; the park

Canal culture circa 1915 (Source: Oliver Hulme photographer / 2012 Charles Poolton)

Plan Suzhou

Grand Canal near Suzhou (Source: Jiangnan Memory, Home is on the Canal, the Grand Canal Suzhou Section, pg.26)

with the temple and pagoda tower) and as such does not need ‘grand’ visions and gestures. Great achievements of engineering, urbanism, architecture and landscape architecture are already there. What this extraordinary complex now needs, consists of many small and incremental design interventions over the coming years, to improve its visibility, legibility, accessibility, safety and desirability. It is important to always remind ourselves that Panmen does not stand on its own in the uniquely endowed city Suzhou. Panmen district is one of three or four major heritage areas in ancient Suzhou. Together, they make Suzhou one of the most attractive places in all of China for tourism, investment and permanent residence. Suzhou has an amazing 1000-year-old tradition of design, style and sophisticated taste. Its legendary classic gardens are the best example. But, make no mistake, Suzhou is not a ‘museum-city’. This extraordinary city shows us not only where art, design and architecture have been, it also shows where they might go next. Recently, with its spectacular architecture and urban design of the new, knowledge economy-themed quarters of the new city, and the world-renowned Suzhou Museum designed by I.M.Pei, Suzhou has established itself as a global player in the rapidly growing creative and cultural industries. With signs of a younger generation of Chinese picking up the trend towards an economy of innovation in design, style, fashion and cultural products, it is entirely possible that they will be the future residents, workers and students in the character-rich precinct of Panmen. In fact, they will

probably occupy the entire western edge of the Ancient City, connecting to Changmen and Shantang Street, via Xumen. But this bright future cannot become reality unless China’s society and the economy takes a more caring attitude towards nature and natural resources. Even the most sophisticated and lucrative creative and tech industries ultimately depend on local resources and a stable climate. It is therefore the primary role of the GCNCP to demonstrate what sustainable water management looks like, and how an ecologically responsible ‘canal culture’ operates, in the 21st century. The Panmen area is an excellent site for developing a template of sustainable and resilient water-related urban development. Panmen’s double land-and-water gate, with its sophisticated systems of locks and fortifications, is a reminder that above all, cities need security. So perhaps the true value of heritage is not so sentimental as it is practical: heritage contains messages from the past which give us directions on how to face the future. The immense physical scale of the GCNCP project and its positive message of ecological water management and canal-side urbanism should have far-reaching benefits across China’s urban and rural landscape. For that to happen, Panmen must be a benchmark project of the highest quality, setting the standard for the entire Grand Canal National Culture Park.

The Grand Canal of China

Heritage of the World LIU Zhichao

On June 22nd in 2014, the Grand Canal was listed as a World Heritage Site at the 38th World Heritage Conference. This key date acknowledged, at a universal level, the Grand Canal as the cradle of Chinese civilization and its profound impact on the development of Chinese cities. With its incomparable temporal-spatial scale, it is considered one of the most outstanding examples of water management and transportation engineering in human history before the industrial revolution. With more than 2,000 years of technological evolution to support the development of China as an agricultural civilization, the Grand Canal still plays an important role in transportation and water management today. In addition to being an exceptional example of water engineering, the Grand Canal has played a fundamental role in the national unity, identity, and political stability of China. Designed to ensure the safe transportation of grain (Caoyun), it has been strategic in stabilizing the regime of the empire. Along its 1710 kilometers, the Grand Canal crosses 8 provinces / municipalities (Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Henan and Anhui) and interconnects 20 major cities. As such, it allowed the large-scale redistribution of resources between regions, but also connected political and economic centers, promoted economic and cultural exchanges and stimulated scientific development. The Jiangsu section is very illustrative of the role of the Grand Canal as a driver of development, unity and exchange. Constructed during the Sui Dynasty, the Jiangsu section of the Canal is one of the oldest and longest continually-functioning sections of the river; it also features some of the best natural conditions. In terms of water management, the Jiangsu section features exemplary technological innovations and rational planning to cope with a complex and dynamic natural environment. As a result, the construction of the Grand Canal in Jiangsu has significantly improved regional traffic conditions and promoted the exchange of goods between areas within the region and outside. It has also bred a unique canal civilization and laid the foundation for economic devel-

opment in the south of the Yangtze River, which today, is the most economically dynamic region in China and accounts for more than one-fifth of the country’s GDP. From this long and rich past, the Grand Canal has accumulated heritage relics and gained cultural significance. The canal not only features historic residential, institutional and industrial buildings and characteristic hydraulic landscapes along its route, it is also associated with collective and humanistic values. In fact, the Grand Canal has contributed to spreading these values across the country for centuries. As China’s socio-economic development has entered a new era, society is in need of a better quality of life and must give greater importance and meaning to culture in social life. To achieve this, the government proposed to ‘deeply explore the ideology, humanistic spirit and moral norms contained in the essence of traditional Chinese culture, so as to show the long-lasting charm of the Chinese culture and the unique style of this era’. The establishment of the Grand Canal National Culture Park is expected to meet people’s growing needs for cultural life, integrate cultural relics and resources with prominent significance, combine multiple functions and form a cultural carrier with unique open spaces.

Historical map of the Grand Canal (Source: JUP)

Plan Suzhou

The Grand Canal in Jiangnan

Origin and Development of a Multifunctional Infrastructure Florence Vannoorbeeck*, Christian Nolf* and Zaozao Wang* 1000

Beijing

Tongzhou Tianjin

Cangzhou

800

Dezhou Linqing Liaocheng

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Nanwang Jining Peixian Pizhou

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Huaian

Yangzhou Zhenjiang Changzhou Wuxi Suzhou

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Jiaxing Tongxiang Hangzhou Shaoxing Ningbo

URBANISATION

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CITIES

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Listed as a World Heritage Site in 2014, the Grand Canal is considered by UNESCO as “the greatest masterpiece of hydraulic engineering in the history of mankind, because of its very ancient origins and its vast scale”. It is also seen as “an essential element in the unity, complementarity and consolidation of the great agricultural empire of China down the ages” [1]. However, unlike the generally accepted definition of heritage, the Grand Canal is neither limited to an exclusive function nor associated with a defined era. On the contrary, as a multifunctional infrastructure, the Grand Canal has demonstrated, since its creation, a remarkable adaptive capacity in its combination of complementary functions: as a transport axis, as a regulator of water flows and as a generator of urban development. With a series of original maps based on historical archives, this article summarizes at three different levels (national, Jiangnan section, and Suzhou section) and in

thematic layers (urbanization, hydrology, topography) the origin, evolution, and different roles that the Grand Canal has played throughout history. The maps illustrate how the evolution of the canal has informed urbanization and territorial development. By situating Suzhou’s Shantang - Panmen section of the Grand Canal in a national and regional perspective, this article reveals the diversity of conditions encountered along the Grand Canal THE GRAND CANAL IN CHINA: A NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE Along its 1710 km route, the Grand Canal crosses several densely populated rural areas in the north-east plain of China. From Hangzhou to Beijing, it is punctuated at regular intervals by a total of 22 main cities, which are most often located at the intersection of the canal with a transverse river.

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The Grand Canal was primarily planned and designed as a shipping route, aimed for the transportation of tribute grain to feed the troops and the court in the imperial capital. In addition to transport, the canal has also played an important hydraulic function. From north to south, it crosses a total of five major river systems (namely, the Hai River, the Yellow River, the Huai River, the Yangtze River and the Qiantang River). By collecting and redistributing transversal flows, it plays a major regulatory role for the irrigation and drainage of the plains. The current route of the Grand Canal is the result of several generations of adjustments throughout history. While the original route was zigzagging in upstream and downstream directions along portions of transversal rivers, its path was progressively rectified with the implementation of north-south shortcuts [2]. In its central part (from Dezhou to Pizhou city) characterized by a more rugged topography, the Grand Canal culminates at 40

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meters above sea level thanks to a series of locks completed between 1200 and 1600. 30 km

The southernmost part of the Grand Canal runs through the Jiangnan region. This section is distinguished from the rest of the Grand Canal by several characteristics. It has the lowest topography, with an altitude between 2m and 5m above sea level and an intense presence of water in the form of canals, rivers and lakes. It is also one of most ancient segments of the Grand Canal, initiated from 495 AD and completed around 612 AD. It is finally the most urbanized part of the Grand Canal. A very fertile agricultural region known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the granary of Chinaâ&#x20AC;?, the Jiangnan plain had since long been densely populated before it became one of Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main economic hubs. As a result of successive waves of industrialization and urbanization, the whole Jiangnan region now resembles a vast metropolis with an average population density close to 1600 inhabitants per square kilometer [3].

Plan Suzhou

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Zhenjiang Jianbizhen Xinfengzhen

Danyang

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Lingkouzhen Lvchengzhen Benniuzhen

Changzhou Henglinzhen Luoshezhen Shitangwanzhen

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Shimenzhen Chongfuzhen Damazhen Wuhangzhen Tangqizhen

old city centers urbanisation since 1980

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THE GRAND CANAL IN JIANGNAN: A WATER REGULATOR AND AN INDUSTRIAL SPINE A closer look at the Grand Canal in the alluvial plain of Jiangnan reveals interesting features. Literally meaning â&#x20AC;&#x153;south of the riverâ&#x20AC;?, the Jiangnan region corresponds to the deltaic alluvial plain south of the Yangtze River. Jiangnan is not only a geographical notion but also a cultural symbol associated with a lifestyle, half urban and half rural, centering on water [4].

pre-existing drainage channels to establish itself as a north-south fluvial transport route [5]. Bordered by towpaths and gates, the Grand Canal was intended not only for transport, but also for regulating the natural west-toeast flows of water. By reducing the occurrence of floods, the construction of the canal in the 5th and 6th centuries was conducive to the development of large-scale polders in the central part of the delta [6]. As a result, the production in the Jiangnan plain increased significantly, along with population growth [7].

Represented as an archipelago of islets on most historical maps, the Jiangnan plain is characterized by a concave profile with a low-lying central part. In this swampy landscape naturally rich in water, the original route of the Grand Canal could partly borrow lakes, rivers and

Thanks to its transportation and hydrological function, the Grand Canal has also played a fundamental role in the historic urbanization of the region. A majority of the main urban centers of the Yangtze River Delta have developed along the Grand Canal. From north to south,

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seven main cities punctuate the canal at a regular interval of about 40 kilometers, which correspond in principle, to a one day journey distance by boat. In-between them, a series of smaller towns and port-villages are grafted on the Grand Canal as market, manufacturing or logistic centers. From the mid-19th century, additional regional road and train infrastructure was introduced to connect the main cities. In the Changzhou â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wuxi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Suzhou segment in particular, the Grand Canal is paralleled by the Nanjing-Shanghai railway. This mixture of infrastructural elements became a major industrial spine supporting a linear and continuous form of urbanization.

The Grand Canal is still today a crucial multifunctional regional infrastructure. It helps to regulate seasonal variations of water discharges and, at the same time, plays a central logistical role for the transport of goods. Although its section has been enlarged and deviations have been created to bypass historic urban centers, the historical route of the Grand Canal has remained relatively unchanged. As a result, several industrial and infrastructural relics can still be found along its route, such as towpaths, locks and old factories. They testify to the long and rich history of the canal and the many roles it has played in the development of the region.

Plan Suzhou

1950 1950 Deviation through the Xujiang Canal by Peoples government of Suzhou City

815 Digging of Shantang Canal connecting Tiger Hill to Suzhou

612 Digging of the Jiangnan Canal from Zheijiang connecting Suzhou to Hangzhou

514 Construction of the Walled City of Helu

506 Digging of Xuxi canal connecting Suzhou to Tai Hu Lake 495 earliest section of the Jiangnan Canal connecting Suzhou to the Yangtze river

514 BC founded as the capital of the State of Wu in the Zhou Dynasty

Founded in 514 BC as the capital of the State of Wu in the Zhou Dynasty, the city of Suzhou has long been the main administrative, political and commercial center of the Jiangnan region, until Shanghai supplanted it from the middle of the 19th century. Strategically located at a water node, Suzhou owes much of its development to its relationship with the Grand Canal. Linking Suzhou to the Yangtze River since 495, the Grand Canal was grafted in 514 to the newly created city moats and ramparts equipped with eight gates [8]. Shortly after, in 612, the Grand Canal was extended to the south to connect to Hangzhou. The regulatory role of the Grand Canal on

612- 825

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THE GRAND CANAL IN SUZHOU: FROM AN INDUSTRIAL BORDER TO A CULTURAL CORRIDOR

water flows facilitated the creation of polders in the Jiangnan marshlands, and in turn intensified agricultural production and strengthened Suzhou’s economic importance. The west and south moats of Suzhou were the main passage of regional boat traffic until the middle of the 20th century. Corresponding to the Shantang—Pan Men section of the canal, this area concentrated most of Suzhou’s commercial and economic activities, as shown in famous scrolls and paintings and by the presence of numerous industrial relics. In the 20th century, several deviations were needed to adapt the Grand Canal to an increase in water traffic. A

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1982 2014 Grand Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site

2013 First Conservation Plan Suzhou

The creation of bypasses and the removal of traffic and industrial activities from the old section of the Grand Canal did not, however, generate their immediate regeneration. It is only very recently (2016) that the city moats were finally converted into a continuous public space. Meanwhile, the Southwest diversion is also changing. Because of increased accessibility made possible by a new metro network, the industrial spine is transforming

1992 Opening of Suzhou first Development Zones

1982 Suzhou old city selected by the State of China as a historical and cultural city

1982 New deviation through Tantai Lake

first bypass in 1950 through the Xujiang Canal was followed in 1982 by a larger southwest deviation. As the new industrial artery, the Grand Canal diversion defined the southwestern edge of the city. Soon, however, it became engulfed by urban development as the city expanded in the 1990s -2000s [9].

rapidly into a mixed-use area with residential and commercial functions. Finally, it should be noted that water has inexorably disappeared from the historic city center. Of the dense network of canals that once structured the city fabric and supplied water to its famous gardens, only a fraction remains today, the rest having been filled and replaced by roadways [10]. Recently, however, the government has initiated the partial reopening of the network of canals. With the revitalization of the Grand Canal waterfronts, it is clear that Suzhou City intends to restore its historical relationship with water.

Plan Suzhou

ZHENJIANG

CONCLUSION: LEARNING FROM SUZHOU As the first major regional infrastructure crossing the Jiangnan area, the Grand Canal has contributed to the founding and development of many cities and towns. As a result, the Grand Canal can be seen today as the thread linking these historic centers. Like a rosary of precious stones, it connects and articulates this urban heritage in the heart of the homogeneous and generic urbanization of the Yangtze River Delta. Alternately surrounded, tangentially bordered, or centrally traversed by water, the different historic centers of Jiangnan have a specific relationship to the old and new branches of the Grand Canal. Beyond their distinct configurations, however, all these cities share with the Suzhou section several common themes and challenges: First, the identity of the Grand Canal as a local, regional and national infrastructure. A challenge is to find a balance between the local characteristics of each section of the Grand Canal and its value as a symbol of national unity. Secondly, the rich infrastructural, industrial and cultural heritage accumulated over the centuries along the successive routes of the Grand Canal. A challenge is to ac-

DANYANG

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knowledge the multiple natures and generations of this legacy as a coherent whole, without reducing the canal to a caricature of heritage that ignores important episodes of its history. Thirdly, the potential of the Grand Canal as a recreational and ecological corridor in the heart of a densely urbanized metropolis. At the level of ancient urban cores, several sections of the Grand Canal are now free of transit traffic and industrial activities. These sections represent valuable breathing spaces for potentially reintroducing nature and developing generous public spaces in the city. A challenge is to ensure the continuity and accessibility (longitudinal and transversal) to these corridors without destroying the diversity and rich complexity of the historic waterfronts. Giving a historical, thematic and cross-scalar overview of the Grand Canal, this short essay demonstrates the wide variety of configurations and the many roles that this infrastructure has played over time. It is an invitation to approach the Grand Canal not as a static monument to be protected, but rather as a living, multifaceted, highly connected and flexible waterbody that can be adapted to address the challenges of today.

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REFERENCES: [1] UNESCO World Heritage list 2014: https://whc.unesco.org/ en/list/1443 [2] Maps based on Tan, Q. 谭其骧 (1982-1987), The Historical Atlas of China 中国历史地图集, Beijing: China Cartographic Publishing House. [3] Taihu Lake Basin Water managment : www.tba.gov.cn [4] UNESCO (2018). The Ancient Waterfront Towns in the South of Yangtze River [Online]: https://whc.unesco.org/en/ tentativelists/5328/ [5] Nolf C., Vannoorbeeck F., Liu C.(2017). Integrating Water Management and Spatial Planning: a comparison of instruments in the RMS (EU) and the Yangtze River (CN) delta regions. NSFC Research Report (51550110235) [6] Yuting Xie (2017). Restructuring Cultural Landscapes in Metropolitan Areas: A Typological Approach to Permanent Forms and Green-Blue Infrastructure in the Yangtze River Delta Region in China [D]. Munich: Technical University of Munich. [7] Gu, C., Hu, L., Zhang, X., Wang, X., & Guo, J. (2011). Climate change and urbanization in the Yangtze River Delta. Habitat International, 35(4), 544-552. [8] Yin Zhanqun (2016). A report on Studies of the Cultural Heritage Sites of the Grand Canal, Suzhou Section. [9] Ling Zhang, Yehua Dennis Wei, OrcI D, Ran Meng (2017). Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Spatial Determinants of

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Urban Growth in Suzhou, China. Sustainability 2017, 9(3), 393; doi:10.3390/su9030393 [10] Wang Y., Mimura K, Tohiguchi K.(1998). Analysis on the Transformation of Historical City Form of Canal Network CitySuzhou. Journal of Architecture and Planning. 63(505), 119-124, 1998 https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110004655010 DRAWINGS : All drawings by the authors. Collage sources : Zhang, G (1639)) / Baidu view/ picture from the authors/ Baidu view/ picture from the authors/ Prosperous Suzhou, Xu Yang (1770))/ picture from Isocarp/ drone views from the authors. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The research presented in this essay benefited from the support of the National Science Foundation of China (51550110235), the Jiangsu Province Program of Science and Technology (BK20151244), and XJTLU’s Research Development Fund (RDF-14-03-23). * Department of Urban Planning and Design, Xi’An Jiaotong Liverpool University

Plan Suzhou

From Retrospective to Prospective

Re-embracing Water Cultures Yuting Tai

From the Nile to the Ganges, the watery landscape serves as a cradle of human civilization. Water is essential in the formation and development of local cultures. In the third World Water Forum (Kyoto, 2003), UNESCO defined water as ‘the only natural resource to touch all aspects of human civilization—from agricultural and industrial development to the cultural and religious values embedded in society. The ways in which water is conceived and valued, understood and managed, used or abused, worshipped or desecrated, are influenced by the cultures of which we are a part.’ A strong imprint of water cultures is reflected in local dialect, religion, food, music and socio-cultural activities, thus becoming a water-oriented cultural identity and a strong collective memory for local people. The processes of modernization and globalization have caused a reduction in cultural diversity by means of cultural homogenization. Rapid urbanization and development pressures have urged traditional water cities like Suzhou to deal with the challenges of cultural preservation and adaptation to new functions. These cities are confronted with an identity crisis, not only in urban development models but also in planning and design approaches, usually

ending up with uniform and, in most cases, technical waterfront design guidelines. Suzhou has 2224 water-related cultural heritage sites, accounting for 42% of the total amount in Jiangsu Province. The main issue is how to preserve and re-active these heritage sites to cope with current development needs while maintaining their cultural values. This challenge has brought up some key questions for us in urban planning and design such as: what sort of cultural values are we talking about and what is the meaning of cultural preservation for today’s society? Throughout history, the cultural meaning of water has played a key role in Chinese society. We can perceive particular attitudes toward water in traditional values, philosophy, mythology, legends, art, folk customs and aesthetics. Water is embedded in culture as a connector between people and their living environment. Water is an essential element in the Chinese landscape as demonstrated in classical paintings (Figure 1). In Chinese the term “landscape” is made up of two characters - mountain (shan) and water (shui). The sharp contrast between the rugged strength of great mountains and the softness

Figure 1: Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains (Source: Gongwang Huang, 1350)

of water is Yang and Yin at its most profound. The classical gardens of Suzhou for example, are regarded as the finest embodiments of the Chinese “mountain-water” landscape.

‘The supreme goodness is like water. It benefits all things without contention.’ Lao Tzu, The Tao Te Ching “上善若水，水善利万物而不争。”- 老子《道德经》

The presence of water offers spaces and opportunities for social interactions among diverse social groups, and between humans and nature. Water facilitates social interactions for both interpersonal relationships and societal-environmental inter-relationships (Syme et al., 2008). In ancient China, water was considered as an important natural resource and that a balance should be maintained between humans and water (Wang, 2002; Ball, 2016). In Confucian and Taoist philosophy for example, water is regarded as the essence of nature and a model for human conduct: ‘The wise find pleasure in water; the virtuous find pleasure in mountains.’ Confucius, The Analects “智者乐水，仁者乐山。”- 孔子《论语》

These values and beliefs that were developed over 2,500 years ago had a far-reaching impact on the development and planning of cities in ancient China. For centuries, Chinese people have developed harmonious ways of interacting with the natural environment in order to survive and develop, which is the essence of planning culture. For example, Feng Shui (literally means “wind” and “water”) is a traditional Chinese philosophy and technology for the selection of settlement locations. By observing and adapting to nature, Feng Shui simultaneously considers both the natural and cultural values of water to pursue harmony and balance between people and nature as well as among people (Hu, 1994; Han, 2001). The basic principle of Feng Shui is straightforward - people benefit when the landscape is rich and healthy and they suffer when the landscape deteriorates (Bruun & Kalland, 2014). Connecting to Feng Shui, an important theory of the site selection for cities was propounded by

Figure 2: Prosperous Suzhou (姑苏繁华图) (Source: Xu Yang, 1759)

Plan Suzhou

Figure 3: The Qianlong Emperor’s Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Six: Entering Suzhou along the Grand Canal (乾隆南巡图第六卷驻跸姑苏) (Xu Yang, 1764-1770)

Figure 4: The water landscape of Jiangnan (Source: Guanzhong Wu, 1987)

a philosopher - Master Guan (管子) in ancient China (26 BC). His main idea was ‘to select a site for a capital, either at the foot of great mountains, or on broad plains; neither too high to get water supply, nor too low to avoid extra drainage works.’

ancient port and commercial city, canal streets and waterfronts used to function as the main public spaces that facilitated social interactions and public life.

Following this planning ideology of city site selection and water management based on natural conditions, the location of the historical center of Suzhou has remained unchanged through 2,500 years of development and dynamic socio-political transitions. From a historical perspective, water has played a multifunctional role in facilitating the urban development of Suzhou, such as water supply, military defense, navigation, recreation, ecosystems as well as the cultural and economic carrier. Water brings vitality to public spaces and links a great diversity of water cultures. As an ancient canal city, the spatial evidence of the water-city connection of Suzhou in its natural surroundings was vividly illustrated in paintings centuries ago, such as Prosperous Suzhou (Figure 2) and The Qianlong Emperor’s Southern Inspection Tour (Figure 3). Zooming into the historical walled city, the canal system greatly shaped the spatial structure of this area, as recorded in the Map of Pingjiang dating back to the 13th century. Influenced by Fengshui thought, city site planning was initially shaped by the natural landscape and water systems with a traditional pattern of city walls and ring canals. Waterways and roads were parallel and formed a so-called “double chessboard” layout. This kind of layout functioned as the backbone of the city and organized different levels of transport in an efficient way. Being an

The unique cultural characteristics of Suzhou are closely related to its geographic location, landscape and above all—water. Suzhou is located in the center of Jiangnan, which is a geographic region to the south of the Yangtze River in the southeast coast of China. Historically, it is a fertile delta with dense waterways ideal for agriculture and settlement, known as the land of fish and rice. Thanks to the Grand Canal, the local economy began to flourish by commercializing agricultural products in the delta. The prosperity of Jiangnan attracted a large number of artists and scholars. In the late Ming dynasty, over two thirds of famous artists and scholars in China accumulated in this area. These cultural genes have shaped Suzhou to be a world-famous water city with numerous cultural heritage sites. Water, in general and the Grand Canal in particular, plays an important role in supporting social life and shaping the cultural identity of Suzhou. The water-structured spatial form has distinctive characteristics that represent Jiangnan culture with ultimate elegance and exquisiteness, such as the architectural style in an elegant garden setting as well as the daily scenes and the lifestyle of water towns (Figure 4, 5). Jiangnan culture is also regarded as open, tolerant and innovative and has been constantly influenced by other regions of China. Along with improving one’s quality of life, the cultural value of water has been increasingly considered essential to contemporary cities of China since the 1980s. In

Figure 5: The famous water town of Tongli (Source: Author)

1982, Suzhou was designated by the State Council in the first batch of ‘National Famous Historical and Cultural Cities’. Several waterfront areas were listed as historical protection sites with significant cultural value, such as classical gardens, canal streets, industrial heritage and water towns. In the recent decade, Suzhou has issued several plans and guidelines concerning cultural protection, including the Protection Planning of Suzhou Historical City 2013-2030 and the Development Planning of Suzhou Water Cultures 2016-2025. Facing increasing challenges from cultural heritage preservation, development needs and a growing demand of cultural tourism in the context of rapid urbanization, we embrace this great opportunity offered by the Grand Canal National Culture Park program. The initiative in Suzhou as a pilot project to reactivate the unique cultural value of water requires critical thinking as well as a retrospective and prospective view. When we talk about the value of cultural heritage today, we are not only talking about individual heritage in its physical existence such as historical canals, streets and buildings, but also the stories and narratives behind it as well as the social relations and collective memory of the city. The reinforcement of the unique characteristics of water cultures in design requires a better understanding of local needs and space for flexible and alternative design solutions. History has taught us why these spatial elements took shape initially, and what kind of social and cultural role they have played. Although societal needs have changed dramatically compared to that of centuries ago, the fundamental cultural meaning of water for Chinese people and this particular city in the Jiangnan region is the root

of our heritage that provides important lessons. Ancient paintings and philosophical ideas all demonstrate that water was regarded as an important part of nature and that a balance had to be maintained between water and people in order to survive and develop, a concept understood as sustainable development today. As part of cultural heritage, we need to respect nature and develop adaptive approaches to live with it. Preserving and enhancing cultural heritage should not only be about maintaining nostalgia for the past, but also embraces new life, sustains and adapts to the changing needs and challenges of today.

REFERENCES: Ball, P. (2016). The water kingdom. Random House. Bruun, O., & Kalland, A. (2014). Asian perceptions of nature: a critical approach. Routledge. Han, K. (2001). Traditional Chinese site selection - Feng Shui: an evolutionary / ecological perspective. Journal of Cultural Geography, 19(1), 75-96. Hu, D. (1994). A Human-ecology approach to environmental design: an integrative human-ecology design derived from Chinese agricultural culture experiences. Journal of Environmental Science, 6(4), 478-486. Syme, G. J., Porter, N. B., Goeft, U., & Kington, E. A. (2008). Integrating social well-being into assessments of water policy: meeting the challenge for decision makers. Water Policy, 10(4), 323-343. Wang, D. 汪德华. (2002). Mountains and waters culture with city planning in China 中国山水文化与城市规划. Nanjing: Southeast University Press 南京：东南大学出版社.

Plan Suzhou

SUZHOU FACTS AND FIGURES 关于苏州 AB OUT S UZ H OU

SU ZHOU I N T HE RAN KI N G

面积

Area:

8,488 km2

人口

Population:

10.68 million

历史

History:

2 500 years

水面积

Water Surface:

2,395 km2

河道数量

No. of Canals:

21,800

桥梁数量

No. of Bridges:

3 681

大运河苏州段

Grand Canal in Suzhou: 81.8km

全球宜居城市位居中国 Global Liveable City in China

1st

中国内河港口城市 Inland River Port in China

1st

江苏省GDP排名 GDP in Jiangsu Province

1st

中国城市吸引力指数 Attractiveness Index in China

7th

世界最长的运河 LO N G EST G RA N D C A N A L OF T HE WORL D 京杭大运河

Grand Canal of China

伊利运河

Erie Canal

苏伊士运河

Suez Canal

大运河分段及苏州区位 Location of Suzhou within Grand Canal Districts

1710 km 584 km 190 km

遗产 HER ITAG E UNESCO世界非物质文化遗产 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites

世界非物质文化遗产 UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage Practices

大运河 The Grand Canal 古典园林 9 Classical Gardens 国家级历史文化点 National-level Historical Sites

中国昆曲 Kunqu Opera

苏州端午习俗 Dragon Boat Festival

中国古琴 Guqin

苏州香山帮传统建筑营造技艺 The traditional architectural craftsmanship of Suzhou Xiangshanbang

宋锦 Song Brocade

个国家级历史文化名镇/村 National-level Historical Towns/Villages

5 2 个国家级历史文化街区 National-level Historical Districts

缂丝 Silk Tapestry

旅游 TO U R IS M 2017 2016 2015

120.46

2.27

113.00

2.10

106.06

1.97

2014

1.90

2013

1.89

国内游客 Domestic Tourists

国庆假期游客峰值 Holiday Tourists

1,080,000/day

100.29 94.16

peak tourists

入境游客 International Tourists (百万 million)

经济 ECO NO M Y GDP 增长 GDP Growth (十亿元 billion Yuan) 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

1731.95 1540.00 1450.00 1376.10 1301.57

Data Source 苏州统计年鉴 Suzhou Statistical Yearbook 中国大运河申报世界遗产文本 The Grand Canal World Heritage Report 苏州市水文化遗产调查 Suzhou Water Heritage Survey 苏州旅游业发展报告 2017 Suzhou Tourism Annual Report 2017

Plan Suzhou

WORKSHOP PROCESS

RE-PROGRAMMING

Day by Day program and approach HERITAGE

Zhichao, Hui, Chunkai, Chao

Day 2

CONNECTIONS

The team was divided into small groups on five analytical themes after a brainstorming session: programming, water issues, peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s places, heritage and connections. Each theme was studied by a group of domestic and international experts. Case studies of worldwide canal regeneration and heritage conservation projects were shared, followed by a second site visit to Shantang Street, where the team was immersed in the traditional atmosphere of Suzhou.

Day 1 After an impressive opening ceremony, the first meeting was held with members of the Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design, planning experts from other provinces and the UPAT team. After the introduction to the project background, heritage related issues and workshop focus, the team visited the Panmen site followed by a boat trip to the Planning Exhibition Hall.

Arunava, Yong, Feifei, Chao

Florence, Olga, Sebastien, Yuanchang

BLUE GREEN

John, Yuting, Yinlong, Yiming

PEOPLEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SPACES

Milena, Xiaoxiao, Sijia, Xinchen

Day 3 The project was further developed on three scales based on five thematic analyses: L - large-scale city context, M - master plan design for the Shantang-Panmen section, S - detailed design for the Panmen site. Three new groups were formed based on team members’ expertise. In the evening the team was welcomed at the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre to watch traditional Kunqu operas. Afterwards, a “Millennium Canal Salon” was organized to have discussions between experts and local stakeholders from the cultural and tourism sectors as well as resident representatives.

L: CITY SCALE TEAM: Florence, Yuting, Zhichao, Yuanchang, Chunkai, Chao

M: MASTER PLAN SCALE SHANTANG TO PANMEN TEAM: John, Sebastien, Yong, Feifei, Lei, Xiaoxiao, Xinchen, Chao, Xiaowei

S: DETAILED DESIGN SCALE PANMEN SITE TEAM: Milena, Olga, Arunava, Sijia, Yiming, Yinlong

Day 4-5 The team was welcomed by representatives from the Gusu district government to engage on local development challenges and opportunities. The group projects proceeded with further discussions, analyses and drawings.

Day 6 The closing ceremony was well attended by many local practitioners, stakeholders and the media. Five renowned domestic experts were invited to reflect on the workshop results, followed by the closing words and visions on the future of the Grand Canal and Suzhou from the vice mayor of Suzhou as well as the director of the Jiangsu Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department. The workshop ended with the announcement of the Suzhou Declaration.

Plan Suzhou

Moments from the event

“Millennium Canal Salon” at Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre On day 3 of the workshop, the JUP organized an evening cultural event at the Suzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre. Entitled the Millennium Canal Salon, the audience included workshop participants and invited guests from the community. Beginning with a stunning performance of traditional Suzhou Opera, moderated discussions followed with local experts and local residents from both older and younger generations, all of whom are important stakeholders in the Grand Canal National Culture Park. What follows are highlights from the discussion.

Part I Experts’ talk

XIE Xiaoting Director of the Heritage Department Press and Publication Bureau of Culture, Radio & Television “We have made a lot of effort in monitoring, demonstrating and protecting cultural heritage along the Grand Canal. In the meantime, we encourage the public to get involved in the supervision of our work.”

XU Weirong Vice director of Suzhou Tourism Bureau “In recent years, a transition has taken place from mass tourism to experiential tourism in Suzhou. Since 2017, tours in ancient canals around the city have become a focus of our work.”

CHEN Wei Director of the Regulation Division, Suzhou Planning Bureau “Enhancing environmental quality is a key objective in our planning and management. We expect to integrate the protection of cultural heritage with people’s daily lives, and to achieve sustainable development of the historical center.”

Part II Citizens’ voices: Young generation

Part III Citizens’ voices: Old generation

Mr. ZHANG

Mr. MEI

Planner at Suzhou Planning and Design Research Institute

Suzhou resident

“I think unique identity and sufficient facilities are very important to attract young people to come here. Therefore for planning, it is essential to provide more experiential spaces with local characteristics.”

“I hope the Panmen area can be developed into a central park of Suzhou that can represent the Grand Canal culture. It will then become an attractive place for slow tourism, an ecological core of the historical city and a leisure public space for Suzhou citizens.”

Miss HUANG

Mr. ZHOU

Elementary school teacher

Suzhou resident

“I hope the Grand Canal can link diverse touristic sites and resources, which can drive leisure industry and contribute to economic prosperity on both sides of the Grand Canal.”

“Suzhou has many tangible and intangible cultural heritage such as classical gardens, Kunqu opera, silk and music. These have been spread all over the world by the Grand Canal. I’m very proud to have lived my life next to the canal.”

Miss CHEN Elementary school teacher “I hope that the educational role of the Grand Canal can be reinforced. I would like to get my students involved in the future development of the canal.”

Plan Suzhou

Challenges, Issues and Opportunities Identified in the Workshop

The International Design Workshop of Grand Canal National Culture Park (Jiangsu Province) is a significant step towards defining a vision for the Grand Canal and drafting a framework for the National Culture Park. Considering the historic significance, scale and intricacy of the Grand Canal, the workshop was tasked with an ambitious objective of setting up a global benchmark for exemplary planning within a unique historic and cultural landscape. In the absence of any global precedents of national cultural parks in the world, it was necessary to explore the planning and planning management system from the level of institutional innovation to better demonstrate the lasting influence and cultural vitality of Chinese culture. In addition, the planning aimed to be comprehensive at a systemic level of the Grand Canal network while engaging with the more localized challenges of the chosen Panmen site. The workshop also aimed to draw extensively from international best practice so as to reflect upon the four themes of “Timeliness, Exploratory, Integrity and Global” as outlined in the initial planning brief. The workshop results are intended to point towards new concepts and practice methods of transforming a unique historical landscape into the National Culture Park and lead towards a possible pilot project. The planning process for the Grand Canal National Culture Park presented numerous challenges, issues and opportunities for the planning team. The primary challenge was to integrate the triad of the Grand Canal, the National Culture Park and Suzhou itself, all unique with significant cultural and historic lineages. This demanded integration of numerous sub-themes which the planning team explored throughout the workshop. Suzhou is amongst the foremost historical and cultural cities in

China, famous for its gardens, world heritage sites and canals which often lead to Suzhou being referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’. Early on, the planning team identified the exceptional cultural heritage, a well-protected monument, outstanding scenic beauty and ecological assets of the canal and an extremely supportive governance planning framework as the significant strengths. However, the team also noted the relative isolation of the site, a weak relationship between the ancient city and the canal, poor integration with city functions, inhospitable public domain, an absence of community engagement and an overall lack of vitality within the project site. The problem is reminiscent of the experience in other cultural heritage sites where a more community-driven initiative is found to better address the concerns related to the protection, inheritance and utilization of cultural heritage and cultural landscape. According to the preliminary observations, a significant opportunity to regain vitality lies in the successful physical and functional integration of the site with the river, the city and the community. An appraisal of the specific spatial pattern of the Panmen site, with its various advantages and disadvantages, also presented various opportunities to improve the Panmen experience. The team noted the importance of establishing the centrality of the site by rediscovering its true identity and recreating shared experiences around that identity to engage the local community. The revitalization of Panmen to be a more active “Panmen village” well integrated into public memory, will possibly require a staged intervention at multiple planning levels with strong public-private participation.

Plan Suzhou

4466

Workshop Investigations Plan P lan S Suzhou uzhou

4 47

The City Scale

Past, Present and Future of the Grand Canal in Suzhou Florence Vannoorbeeck, Yuting Tai, Liu Zhichao, Li Yuanchang, Liu Chunkai, Luo Chao

Isolated PAN MEN

Industry Bank Guild Trade

Tourism Industry

Caoyun Painting (Source: Xulixian Dengjiaju 2014)

Mass tourism in Shantang Street, Suzhou

PASTâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Exchange of products

PRESENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Exchange of tourists

The Grand Canal has witnessed the rise and fall of city development and societal transitions. The link between past and future is a starting point to look at present issues. This section gives a brief overview of how the functions and roles of the Grand Canal have transformed through historical development, and what are the new meanings to the city-canal synergy from economic, social and environmental dimensions. This section begins with a two-level design proposal based on several key principles. Focusing on two sites along the canal, we expect that this pilot project can be a first step in the renewal of the canal system in Suzhou and re-bonding

a city-water relationship. We hope the debate, proposals and even doubts held in this great team can be an inspiration for other cities along the Grand Canal in the National Culture Park Program and furthermore, a showcase to other canal cities worldwide.

ECONOMIC DIMENSION: FROM GRAIN TO BRAIN From an economic perspective, the Grand Canal was an important channel for the circulation of grains, goods and resources throughout history. Diverse economic activities formed along the waterfront, forming import-

Reactivate Decentralize Integrate Tourism Industry

Reuse of industrial buildings (Source: JUP)

Create innovative cultural spaces (Source: Laredo Water Museum)

Develop new types of tourism more integrated in local life. (People dancing in Suzhou Park)

FUTURE—Exchange of knowledge

Transition of economic patterns

ant cultural heritage sites such as guildhalls, warehouses and industrial buildings. In the 1980s, the change of route of the Grand Canal led to the displacement of industries and navigation flows. The ancient canal and cultural relics then thrived as a tourist attraction. However, the development of tourism in Suzhou and along the Grand Canal is not well balanced. While other tourist attractions such as classical gardens are facing the challenge of high concentration of tourists in limited space, Panmen is often regarded as an unpopular place (‘Cold Panmen’ as referred by the locals) due to its isolation from the rest of the historical city. This challenge can be

seen as an opportunity to develop new types of tourism and economic activities that can be more integrated with local life. As people’s demands for cultural life increase, the Grand Canal will play a more important role in cultural and knowledge exchange and become an important space for innovation by means of re-activating, decentralizing and integrating relevant resources. Based on these principles, we propose to create innovative cultural spaces such as education centers, exhibition and design hubs by renovating existing industrial buildings and reusing public spaces.

Plan Suzhou

PAST—Canal as the center of public life

Prosperous Suzhou and the Qianlong Emperor’s Southern Inspection Tour, Scroll Six (Source: Xu Yang (1770)

PRESENT—City disconnected from its canals

FUTURE—Canals as connectors and collectors

Future Subway Station as a New Gate

Public space along water

SOCIAL DIMENSION: RE-EMBRACE THE WATER From a social perspective, the relationship between the Grand Canal and adjacent neighborhoods present an historic example of “city-water symbiosis”. The canal was the center of public life. A great diversity of social activities took place along the canal, including fishing, trading, leisure and festival events such as dragon boat racing. Based on this, locals have developed a distinctive water culture. The Grand Canal has constantly contributed to the communication and integration of diverse cultures, acting as an important “link” to convey the tradition and essence of Chinese culture and local identity. As with many other Chinese cities with an identity crisis, Suzhou is more and more disconnected from the canal. Modern infrastructures such as the regional high-speed rail and highways have replaced the original function of the canal as an important transportation route. The change of land-use along the canal from public space

to gated communities has hindered the role of the waterfront as a public domain. One of the main proposals of this project is to recall the social meaning of water in people’s daily lives. This objective can be achieved following three principles – connectivity, diversity and originality. We see the canal as a connector to link social functions and cultural heritage. The canal can provide support for soft mobility with bicycle lanes and boating routes as part of the transport system. We propose the multi-functional use of the waterfront that allows diverse experiences and interactions with water among different users including inhabitants and tourists as well as young and old generations. The diversity of functions and uses also create a cultural identity representing Suzhou as a historical water city. With these achieved, the enhanced spatial quality will attract people to return to the canal, and the Grand Canal will become a new gateway and node of the city.

PASTâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Delta landscape

The Water-Conservancy of the Wu District (Source: Zhang, G. (1639))

PRESENTâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Engineered landscape

Sluices and water gates

ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION: FROM SWAMP TO SPONGE From an environmental perspective, the Grand Canal is essential in water management in the Yangtze River Delta. The delta used to be a vast wetland with numerous swamps to absorb, store and retain water. The construction of the Grand Canal across the delta over 2000 years ago allowed the development of an important drainage system made of small channels, locks and embankments to control water levels. This long-term evolution of the artificial system based on natural conditions consolidated the polder landscape of the delta. Rapid urbanization over the last three decades intensified the need for water level control for flood protection, resulting in a highly engineered control system and disturbed natural systems. The locks have become a barrier for water flow so that water pollution has become evident. Facing great uncertainties of climate change and unbalanced water re-

FUTUREâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Sponge landscape

Space for water

sources, the Grand Canal is expected to continue playing an important role in water management. This project is a great opportunity to develop more adaptive approaches (in the city center) taking the opportunity of the national program of sponge cities for water resilience. We propose to reinforce the role of the Grand Canal as a central ecological corridor in the city. This will contribute to building a green-blue network for Suzhou as proposed in the Suzhou Master Plan 2035. Besides, the water management approach of the canal system is also important intangible heritage that demonstrates the wisdom of our ancestors. Panmen, for example, is an example of the only existing heritage site in China with both water and road gates. The Grand Canal has a profound significance that represents advanced science and technology in water management and provides important lessons for cities today to deal with natural conditions and future risks and uncertainties.

Plan Suzhou

The Master Plan Scale

Re-imagining Shantang to Panmen John Echlin, Sebastien Goethals, Wang Yong, Feng Feifei, Tang Lei, Zhang Xiaoxiao, Gu Xinchen, Suo Chao, Xu Xiaowei

The 3-kilometer section of the Shantang to Panmen Grand Canal is representative at an intermediate urban design scale of the common challenges to be found along many sections of the Grand Canal. Therefore, concentrating an investigation into its character and qualities, while formulating strategies and solutions for its redevelopment can yield a potential model that could be further applied in other situations. This section of the Grand Canal runs north-south along the western perimeter of the Suzhou ancient city (Figure 2). Though given a defined site boundary, our work considered the many assets and resources within a short walking distance on either side of the canal stretching the entire 3-kilometer length. Except for the physical presence of the canal itself, that varies in width from over 100 meters at its widest point near Panmen Gate to 20 meters in the densest urban section near Changmen Gate, the area lacks any unifying physical character.

Figure 1: View of the Shantang to Panmen Grand Canal looking north (Source: Gu Xinchen)

Indeed, there is a diverse variety of passive and active uses, building scales, historic and modern interventions, inviting public open spaces and prohibitive privatized enclosures, hard-built edges and soft-flowing green landscapes. The creation of the new Grand Canal Culture Park is an opportunity to change the perception of the canal, to bring focus and attention to this sometimes forgotten and ill-defined space. Our group began by asking the following questions: What should the character of this new space be? And how can we bring functional activation and spatial quality improvement to this area and at this scale? To address these questions we first identified the true positive assets in the area. These are the sites and elements that will anchor the sense of place and permanence that is unique to this section of the Grand Canal.

Figure 2: Shantang to Panmen Section of the Grand Canal (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Plan Suzhou

Panmen

Kaiyuan temple

Changmen

Xumen

Figure 3: Important Heritage Sites (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

They should become the core features of any strategies that will lead to the successful revitalization of the area.

Diversified Urban Functions •

KEY CHARACTERISTICS: Abundant Historical Heritage •

•

These consist of the 3 sites having the highest importance as significant national heritage sites; Changmen Gate, Xumen Gate and Panmen Gate. Several sites having great local heritage significance including the Taoist Temple near Changmen and the Thousand’s People Pier, the original arrival point and harbor in Suzhou and the Kaiyuan Temple. The remaining fragments of the historic city wall, of which there are several sections in various conditions, from lightly-excavated to fully-restored.

These areas are well-established centers of public uses and activities that can be further expanded to act as true indoor-outdoor living rooms with a focus on the Grand Canal as a unifying public space.

Waterfront Landscapes •

These are the green landscaped areas. Sometimes functioning as formal or informal public parks and waterfront promenades, sometimes simply forgotten areas overgrown with natural vegetation, these areas of green are typically isolated from the surrounding neighborhoods and disconnected from each other, yet provide an opportunity for people to connect closely with nature and water in the heart of a busy city.

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Figure 4: Defining Key Characteristics of the of the Shantang to Panmen Grand Canal (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

We next identified 3 key issues that must be addressed to further activate the Grand Canal as a vital feature in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily lives and routines. Addressing these issues will become the heart of any strategies for achieving a greater variety of public activities, connecting people directly with the canal and enriching their everyday experience. KEY ISSUES: Identity While possessing an abundance of historic and cultural resources, these resources are not always presented in the best possible way. Their unique identity is often compromised by their setting and a lack of spatial clarity and definition. They are surrounded by clutter and everyday elements such as parked cars, signage and temporary kiosks competing for the same space. In addition, many portions of the canal function in a city park-like setting, yet not at the level of quality that this significant national heritage site deserves.

For families with children, the elderly and disabled, the experience of a stroll along the Grand Canal can be unpleasant if not impossible.

FRAMEWORK PLAN: Our approach to the strategic planning of the 3-kilometer Shantang to Panmen section of the Grand Canal was to develop a Framework Plan composed of two essential components; strategies and a spatial plan. The strategies respond to each of the key issues identified by the team and can be applied at a policy level to address specific locations where the issues may exist. The group also provided examples of how and where these strategies may be implemented. The spatial plan locates 5 interrelated systems that when incorporated as an overall network, will begin to integrate the Grand Canal into the fabric of the city and the everyday lives of the people.

Connectivity Ironically, there are many traditional residential areas that are next to or within walking distance to the canal but have no way to access it. Without these linkages to the canal, the opportunity to engage the residents living in these neighborhoods with activities along the canal is lost. In addition, except for the infrequent tourist barge and line-fisherman, there are few opportunities or activities for residents to connect and experience the water directly. Continuity The experience along the waterfront is fragmented. Between important sites, many barriers, lack of attention to public space and obstacles to safe and easy passage compromise the sense of fluidity and continuity that should be essential to encountering the Grand Canal.

Figure 5: Framework Plan Structure (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Figure 6: Compromised Identity, interrupted flow and access barriers are key issues to address (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Plan Suzhou

STRATEGIES: BEFORE

AFTER

Identity Strengthen the existing cultural heritage sites by prioritizing their conservation and enhancing the quality of their presentation. Link the ‘Past with the Future’ by introducing new complimentary uses and activities emphasizing education and lifestyle. This will involve improving and integrating the tangible physical sites with intangible socio-cultural activities and events to engage Suzhou residents as a whole.

Figure 7: Relocating and enhancing the Linzexu Statue (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Connectivity Establish frequent linkages to the canal waterfront and the many points of interest from the surrounding neighborhoods. Take into consideration all ages “8 to 80”, walking abilities and users such as individuals, families and groups, together with accommodating a variety of mobility means for recreation, leisure, sport as well as tourism. Likewise, connect people with the water through new water-based activities for transport, recreation, sport and tourism to stimulate greater awareness of water as an essential, useful and everyday civic and natural resource.

Figure 8: Linking surrounding neighbourhoods with a pleasant waterfront experience (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Continuity Restore the experience of the Grand Canal as a continuous and open public space by eliminating barriers and obstacles to access. In addition, like the flowing canal water itself, allow people the opportunity to interact with the water and natural elements as part of a larger continuous ecosystem to help restore their sense of balance and reconnection with nature. Emphasize the experience of water, the open green spaces, the flora and fauna of the area for health and lifestyle benefits without interruption.

Figure 9: Restore pedestrian continuity to important sites (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

SPATIAL PLAN:

Water and Green System Restore the system of historical canals that currently lie buried in the city fabric and feed into the Grand Canal to reconnect the surrounding neighborhoods with water as an important natural resource.

Restore the system of continuous landscape as an openspace experience, creating a complimentary canal+park ’Blue-Green’ network to serve recreational as well as ecological and stormwater management purposes, thereby increasing Suzhou’s resilience potential.

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People and Heritage Network Emphasize people’s connection to their past through the creation of a continuous pedestrian and bicycle system that links the multiple cultural heritage sites in an integrated and easily accessible network.

Plan Suzhou

MULTI-GENERATIONAL

CONTEMPLATION OF THE GRAND CANAL

FAMILY FRIENDLY

SLOW TOURISM

Passive Belt Activity Take advantage of the character of the inner ring of the Grand Canal as primarily a historical district to emphasize calm and more contemplative leisure activities and cultural functions. Family-friendly, multi-generational and slow-tourism heritage activities should be the priority. ACTIVE PIERS & MARKETS DYNAMIC WATERFRONT

EXPERIENCE THE CANAL

EDUCATIONAL PATHS

WINDOW TO THE FUTURE

Dynamic Belt Activity Utilize the nature of the outer ring of the Grand Canal where spaces are larger, the scaleless re-stricted and the opportunities are more open to accommodate dynamic activities and functions such as for sports, recreation, education, commercial and innovative uses.

N CHANGMEN

TO PANMEN

Water Mobility to better utilize the canals for recreational and sports activities such as kayaking, canoeing and fishing. The increase in water-based activities will bring greater attention and focus to the Grand Canal as a great water resource to enhance urban living.

Increase water-based uses and activities. The Grand Canal has great potential to be better utilized for increased public transport in the form of water ferries and taxis to compliment the growing Metro system. In addition, the slow flow-rate of the canal system and absence of conflicting commercial boat traffic affords the opportunity

6-7m

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20-25m

15m

10m

25m

25-35m

25m

COMMERCIAL STREET

GRAND CANAL

COMMERCIAL STREET

20m-wide Canal Section Design

100m-wide Canal Section Design

Figure 10: Sectional Studies (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Plan Suzhou

The Detailed Design Scale

Towards a Revitalized Panmen Heritage and Innovation District Milena Ivković, Olga Chepelianskaia, Arunava Sarkar, Fan Sijia, Huang Yiming, Liang Yinlong

1. FROM VIBRANCY TO STILLNESS In the past, the Panmen site was a lively village, linked by the Wumen Bridge on both sides of the Grand Canal. The village was directly connected to the ancient city core (Figure 1). Today, the Panmen site displays quite a different character. The Ruiguang Pagoda and Gardens attract its share of tourists. The rest of the site, including the historic Panmen Watergate and Wumen Bridge, and the recently built ‘traditional’ style development south of the Wumen Bridge (as well as the adjacent Sulin industrial redevelopment area) remain largely unvisited. It seems that neither the local population nor outside visitors have great interest in visiting the site. How did Panmen decline from vibrancy to stillness? The cause of this change of character is not in the quality of the physical infrastructure which is commendable. The Panmen Watergate has been skillfully conserved and harmonized with the green surroundings. The Wumen Bridge commercial area presents traditional Suzhou architecture with well-integrated contemporary design features, suitable for modern functions. The Sulin industrial area was also renovated with new higher-den-

sity architecture mixed with well-planned public spaces in mind. All together, the Panmen site offers creative, walkable and human scale spaces connected to the Grand Canal waterfront. Why is the Panmen site then still dormant? There are a number of structural and non-structural challenges influencing the Panmen site: Structurally, the Panmen site is located some 4 to 6km south of the major Suzhou tourist core. In terms of walking, this is a long distance, requiring careful route planning with heritage-related activities and experiences. Pishi and Renmin Roads, which lead to the Panmen site are currently dominated by car traffic. The existing visual character of the buildings on these roads disrupt the heritage sensibility. There is no tailored transport for tourists that would allow faster movement towards Panmen. In addition, the 1km stretch of ancient city wall surrounding the Panmen site acts as a barrier for the surrounding neighborhoods, making access to its inner core an exclusive and time-consuming affair.

Former Panmen village linked by Wumen Bridge (Source of the image on the left and above: The Grand Canal, Volume I, World Heritage Convention Cultural Heritage)

Plan Suzhou

Structural challenges, access to Panmen (Source: ISOCARP / Google Earth)

Non-structurally, there is a very limited activity spectrum presented at Panmen. Current activities emphasize the walking experience between heritage monuments. Unfortunately, there is a significant mismatch between the site’s proposed activities and the socio-economic profile of the local population. The area surrounding Panmen is home to primarily a low to middle-income aging population together with a number of schools and universities in the vicinity. South of the Wumen Bridge commercial development is an informal settlement area, a dense urban village, home to a mostly low-income population. The youth and the elderly of these areas need tailored social activities (such as education, recreation and free-time space) matching their economic status, thus focus on only tourist-related commercial activities does not optimally serve their needs. On the other hand, the tourism industry in China is changing fast, with more and more visitors looking for independent, multidimensional experiences. The Panmen site needs to adapt to both the changing requirements of potential outside visitors, as well as to offer quality public space for the everyday users from surrounding neighborhoods.

2. UNLOCKING PANMEN’S UNIQUE POTENTIAL The potentials of the Panmen site are in abundance. Unlocking this potential allows its many challenges to be directly addressed. Panmen’s unique site opportunities are: •

•

The ‘L’-shape form of the Grand Canal at Panmen offers a great opportunity to provide more direct access to the canal, improve water related activities and facilitate a closer interaction with nature. The Panmen historic precinct features several layers of heritage in one place: Ruiguang, the oldest pagoda in the city, and Panmen, the oldest watergate respectively stand opposite Sulin, the oldest silk factory in Suzhou. The Wumen Bridge commercial development and Sulin factory area both offer new interpretations of traditional Suzhou building and industrial architecture. It is a concentration of legacies to build on the past and look to the future. The Panmen site is a window of opportunity to recreate a dynamic village-like setting that offers a hands-on experience of heritage. This hands-on experience means combining cultural knowledge and recreational activities, mixing outdoor, handcrafts

Panmen Site Context (Source: ISOCARP / Google Earth)

•

and high-tech approaches. The well-established architecture and infrastructure of the site can facilitate a phased intervention. Phased interventions can unlock the site’s potential with gradual investments.

Unlocking this potential will require the following two ingredients: public engagement and an active heritage experience. •

•

Engaged and informed citizens are essential for developing the genius loci, or “spirit of the place”. Bringing all concerned stakeholders to discuss a joint vision on the values of the future development is one of the important tasks of the local government. Although it will demand some time to develop, this effort will pay off in terms of gradual planning and implementation. The stakeholder group can become a community, joining their energy and resources to create an environment that will attract visitors, satisfy the needs of the neighborhoods, and boost the local economy. There is no connection to heritage where there is no active heritage experience. The Panmen site needs a soft programming approach, bringing in activities

that build on tangible and intangible heritage assets, such as festivals, events, performances, art shows, cuisine shows and cultural activities with locals. This approach will further implement the Grand Canal National Culture Park’s mandate, which calls for an immersive cultural experience. 3. THE PANMEN DESIGN STRATEGY The Panmen site offers a great opportunity to engage concerned stakeholders to jointly define a context-tailored re-use of the existing historic and recreated urban fabric. This re-use could include art facilities, training centers, handicraft emporiums, nature experimental labs, digital heritage learning hubs, outdoor recreation areas, street markets and even boutique home stays, reminiscent of the original uses but within an historical context. On a strategic level, a gradual, but complex transformation of the existing qualities of the site will make it a highly active and integrated space, a new Panmen Village. Beginning with small-scale interventions the village will bring back the life which existed not so long ago and further expand the vibrancy of the place. People will

Plan Suzhou

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Small-scale physical interventions and adaptive reuse

Up-scaled interventions with moderate investments

Ambitious heritage and innovation-based development at the district scale

The design strategy stages (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

connect with a deeper experience of heritage and traditions combined with more contemporary technologies, approaches, learning tools and recreation facilities. Ultimately, Panmen Village will be the catalyst to expand beyond the site boundaries to establish a more ambitious Panmen Heritage and Innovation District. The design strategy is developed in three stages. Each stage brings specific and measurable benefits that organically make the site more and more dynamic. Pilot interventions are tested to make sure each has a positive impact on the ground before upscaling to the next stage. STAGE 1: SMALL-SCALE PHYSICAL INTERVENTIONS AND ADAPTIVE REUSE Objectives: To re-engage the neighboring communities by bringing improvements in the public space. The citizens can be actively involved in shaping pilot projects in the public space, which, if successful, can be upscaled and disseminated over the wider Panmen area. Small-scale physical interventions should be supported with the reprogramming and adaptive reuse of vacant buildings. Physical and programmatic interventions: A series of rapid interventions in the public space can improve accessibility and create a continuous waterfront experience for both the community and tourists. In particular: •

•

Implement barrier-free spaces to provide better access for all. By adapting some of the existing structures, such as adding ramps next to stairs, the Panmen public realm becomes more attractive for daily use. Revamp the entry impression to the Wumen Bridge commercial area from the Panmen–Panxu Road, to make this area more inviting. Adding more green and a more varied pavement will reduce the current image of hard surfaces with little connection to everyday use. It is important to demonstrate to the

•

building owners of the commercial area that there is a strong commercial potential to be unlocked at the site, with the help of small-scaled interventions, such as adapting their buildings to new demands. This adaptation can mean simple transformations of some of the façade elements, such as adding larger terraces or windows, or complete programmatic make-overs such as home stays, retail and specialized Food and Beverage (F&B) offerings. Create human-scale connections to the water by reconfiguring the existing built fabric and opening strategic visual links to the Grand Canal waterfront, leveraging the excellent location and unique river views. By adding floating wooden decks behind the waterfront buildings additional walkways can be created as well as small places to enjoy the water landscape. This intervention can contribute to establishing a well-linked heritage and leisure trails network, to further integrate Panmen Village and the surrounding communities.

The selection of new activities to be added in the first stage of development will rely on neighborhood stakeholder consultations, support from building owners and a thorough analysis of the public places which can be transformed quickly. All transformations should reflect and support the efforts in creating space for new educational, community, art and recreation functions in the Wumen Bridge commercial area and the direct surroundings. It may be necessary that at some point in the re-development, the local government will need to reactivate the unused buildings themselves, initiating special agreements with the building owners. In this way, more social (and subsidized) programs can take place, aimed at including the neighboring inhabitants. Low-fee workshops and cultural activities such as calligraphy, painting or poetry may potentially suit older residents and also attract visitors from other parts of Suzhou.

Stage 1—Small-scaled urban renewal interventions in the public space (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

CURRENT

PROPOSED Wumen Bridge Impression: Enhanced entry experience

Waterfront improvements: Enhanced canal access

Barrier-free Spaces: Improved public accessibility

Stage 1— Physical and programmatic interventions (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Plan Suzhou

Stage 2— Up-scaled interventions with moderate investments (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Expected outcome: Stage 1 should increase a critical mass of people to the Wumen Bridge development area to form the new Panmen Village core. At the end of this stage, accessibility and walkability are improved, and some 25-30% of currently inactive buildings are revived by thoughtfully intertwined social and commercial programming interventions. Panmen Village is invigorated through an engaged community, reconnecting with the Grand Canal waterfront and re-creating an immersive cultural experience for tourists as well. Overall, Stage 1 prepares Panmen Village for the wider regeneration strategies to be adopted next. STAGE 2: UP-SCALED INTERVENTIONS WITH MODERATE LEVEL OF INVESTMENTS Objectives: While Stage 1 focused primarily on the local community with occasional tourist visitors, Stage 2 is the beginning of an active outreach program to the citizens of Suzhou. Interventions will be up-scaled with a broader adaptive-reuse program and more extensive physical interventions aiming to further unlock the commercial value of the site. Physical and programmatic interventions: Provide stronger linkages to the Grand Canal waterfront by investing in new waterfront activities. Hereby several focus projects: • Create a new Public Gateway to Panmen Village from Panmen–Panxu Road together with an upgraded arrival plaza. This new entrance point will improve community access to Panmen, and create more space for official organized tourist groups. The

•

Public Gateway should become a focus and a showcase of the adaptive re-use program and extension of the efforts described in Stage 1. Enhance the waterfront experience with strategically positioned water jetties and pontoons. These structures can be small in size (or temporary) and have a variety of uses: from purely landscape function to becoming a stopping point for small boats. The network of jetties will also support social spaces on both sides of the Panmen stretch of the canal. These active social spaces will involve users of varied age and income, creating a vibrant Panmen Village spirit. Establish a closer and more direct waterfront experience by leveraging the strategic canal corner location for a unique Water Theatre. The Water Theatre will define a new cultural node for tourists. Introducing a landmark structure Observation Platform can enhance the qualities of the location. The platform acts as a point where the unique landscape of the Panmen site can be experienced from an elevated, panoramic perspective. The new Public Gateway, Water Theatre and Observation Platform add new elements to the Panmen Site, making it an experience destination within the Grand Canal National Culture Park. These three new nodes can support a multitude of events and cultural programs focusing on Suzhou’s enormous intangible heritage assets. In combination with the ancient City Wall and the Panmen Watergate, as theatrical backdrops, the Water Theatre can host cultural performances inspired by various traditions.

Stage 2—Sectional study showing the new relationship of the Grand Canal waterfront (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Panmen Watergate: Activate with traditional cultural events and visual spectacles

New cultural experience destination: Water theatre, Entry plaza, Observation platform Stage 2—Physical and programmatic interventions (Source: ISOCARP / JUP / Baidu.com)

Plan Suzhou

Stage 3—Ambitious heritage and innovation-based development at the district scale (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Expected outcome: The adaptive reuse of the Panmen building fabric together with new physical interventions focused on Suzhou’s rich intangible heritage will restore the genius loci “spirit of place” to Panmen Village. These strategies will re-establish the historical connection of the Grand Canal with the surrounding neighborhoods and enhance the status of Panmen Village as a cultural destination. STAGE 3: AMBITIOUS HERITAGE AND INNOVATION-BASED DEVELOPMENT AT THE DISTRICT SCALE

Stage 3—District Nodes strategy

• Objectives: In Stage 3, Panmen Village becomes a catalyst for a broader urban revitalization scheme, and an example of how the new Grand Canal National Culture Park can shape a community at the district scale. This is a long-term strategy, increasing the overall value of Panmen heritage elements based on modern interpretation. The new district will be anchored by a series of nodes offering a diversity of cultural activities linked by a variety of mobility options. This stage will further support Suzhou’s promotion as one of the most important centers of Grand Canal Culture within the Jiangsu province, and beyond. Physical and programmatic interventions: Stage 3 proposes to integrate the adjacent the Sulin Industrial Area with Panmen Village to create the larger Panmen Heritage and Innovation District. Including:

•

Regenerate the newly completed but underutilized Sulin Industrial Area through a creative community-based adaptive reuse program. This will include some radical new reuses, such as turning the currently vacant massive shopping mall into, for example, an experimental Grand Canal Museum. The Museum can highlight hydraulic engineering and maritime transport while also experimentally featuring some of the unexplored facet’s of past Grand Canal life. Along with the physical and programmatic interventions, Stage 3 should also focus on marketing and communication outreach to promote the refurbished Panmen Heritage and Innovation District as an interesting and vibrant destination. Introduce new and innovative uses, activities and economic functions to the high-quality building fabric and elevate the importance of the Panmen

Stage 3—Sectional study showing the new relationship of the Grand Canal waterfront (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

New Panmen-Panxu Boulevard

Grand Canal Museum Stage 3—Physical and programmatic interventions (Source: ISOCARP / JUP / Baidu.com)

Plan Suzhou

Slow Pedestrian Mobility Route: A continuous walking circuit will connect the entire Panmen Heritage and Innovation District (Source: ISOCARP / JUP / Baidu.com)

Slow Bicycle Mobility Route: Cycling tracks connect major nodes and metro (Source: ISOCARP / JUP / Baidu.com)

•

Heritage and Innovation District as a progressive neighborhood. Emphasis on creative industries will allow the Panmen Heritage and Innovation District to look beyond being exclusively a tourism destination, and bring in new stakeholders that can profit from being in the vicinity of authentic cultural heritage. Downgrade the Panmen-Panxu Road separating the Sulin Industrial Area from Panmen Village from a high-speed traffic barrier to a slow meandering boulevard, allowing community integration and releasing exciting new waterfront spaces for recre-

ational use. The downgrading of the Panmen-Panxu Road should happen simultaneously with the introduction of a variety of new, “slow” mobility options. More emphasis on pedestrian, bicycle and water-based mobility co-existing with motorized traffic will provide a greater variety of transport options and increase the general attractiveness of Panmen. The downgraded Panmen-Panxu Road will anchor the new Panmen Heritage and Innovation District within the network of nodes established in Stage 2. The meandering geometry of the new Panmen-Panxu Road is based on traditional Suzhou Garden design,

Slow Water Mobility Route: Expanded water taxi service connecting waterfront places of interest (Source: ISOCARP / JUP / Baidu.com)

Fast Tour Bus Mobility Route: Connecting major nodes and metro (Source: ISOCARP / JUP / Baidu.com)

slowing movement with bespoke pedestrian-dominated walkways and gardens defining the spatial character of this new special district. Downgrading the road allows the entire Sulin Industrial Area to regain a strong relationship with the Grand Canal and enables the release of an additional five hectares of prime waterfront property for urban regeneration. It will allow the Panmen-Panxu Road to become a â&#x20AC;&#x153;boulevardâ&#x20AC;?, a representative avenue which a historic location like Panmen deserves.

Expected outcome: The Panmen Heritage and Innovation District will bring even greater attention to the city of Suzhou and its rich heritage potential. The new district takes advantage of the Suzhou Metro network to attract visitors from a wide area while integrating different mobility modes to serve this large audience. With a variety of activity nodes combining different interpretations of heritage, from meticulously preserved historic structures to contemporary adaptive reuse, the district opens to a broad community of users. The Grand Canal National Culture Park at Panmen becomes a new destination in Suzhou for contemporary living, working and engagement in an active cultural heritage experience.

Plan Suzhou

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Reflections Plan P lan S Suzhou uzhou

Heritage Activation

Bringing the Grand Canal Back to Daily Life SUO Chao, FAN Sijia

“Travelling to Gusu, you will see houses built along the canal”. Living along the Grand Canal is in the collective memory of the older generation in Suzhou. Nowadays, with the decline of its transportation function, the canal has gradually been “forgotten”. How to create a modern landscape and maintain the contemporary collective memory of the canal is of great concern to many Suzhou citizens. During the site visit to the Panmen-Shantang section of the Grand Canal, we found that although some streets such as Shenxian St. and Nanhao St. have kept their commercial atmosphere, most areas along the canal are “turning their back” to the neighborhoods in terms of spatial organization and functional design. We observed many problems such as the fragmentation of neighborhoods from main roads, insufficient public facilities, lack of landscape corridors and connecting paths as well as unattractive functional nodes. The development of the Grand Canal National Culture Park offers an opportunity to reimagine the areas surrounding the canal. On the one hand, the National Culture Park should be a platform for the protection, display, and dissemination of Chinese cultural heritage, embodying the essence of traditional Chinese culture. On the other hand, the park should be actively interwoven with local culture and daily life, acting as a symbol for the vitality and longevity of Chinese civilization.

nals have been filled or covered, destroying the traditional atmosphere and urban fabric. Given the current situation, we propose to reconnect the canal fabric with the surrounding neighborhoods by restoring important historic waterways from the Ming and Qing dynasties, and building trails along them. 2. Creating public cultural places with heritage display Most of the nearby residents use the waterfront for jogging and exercise, but due to the lack of diverse spaces and functional design, the canal has become less attractive. Through optimizing nodes and establishing new functions, the design intends to integrate this world heritage site with local social activities. For example, a floating theater is designed at the Grand Canal bend to offer a panoramic view with the city wall and Pagoda as its background. Small flexible structures are placed in the empty plaza in front of the Panmen Watergate, so as to create spaces with a cultural atmosphere for canal-related activities. Finally, we developed a more ambitious larger neighborhood scale proposal at the old Sulun Silk Factory located to the east of the Panmen site. The factory area can be transformed into a canal museum and a commercial complex that functions as a public node connected to Panmen and that accommodates different users. 3. Optimizing the slow traffic experience in Suzhou

Our proposals are based on the concept of “Integration”. At the city scale, we aim to make heritage elements tangible and open to visitors. At the neighborhood scale, design needs to allow local people to engage and interact with these elements. At the micro-scale, we propose to create attractive spaces for recreation and education by means of heritage protection, infrastructure renewal, space-activation and place-making. 1. Context searching and restoration of historical elements “Living with the canal” is a typical lifestyle in the Jiangnan region. However, with rapid urbanization, most ca-

At the micro level, we propose to maintain a traditional Suzhou style to create recreational space with a historical sense and relationship with neighboring communities. We propose to optimize the slow traffic system in Panmen Road and Panxu Road by introducing a boulevard with traditional Suzhou architectural facades on both sides. The boulevard can function as a spatial prelude for the Wumen Impression and Panmen scenic area. To enhance the spatial experience of the Suzhou private gardens, we propose micro-scale design methods such as pavement reconstruction, landscape optimization, sculpture and signage design to create a Suzhou-style slow walking route for locals and tourists.

Plan Suzhou

Learning from Varanasi

A Node in the River of Eternal Life Arunava Sarkar

Some of the world’s greatest cities have historically enjoyed a close ecological, cultural and economic association with river systems. Traditionally considered as the lifeline of cities, river systems broadly shape the urban metabolism and often define the contours of the hardscape and its qualifying softscape for cities. The interweaving of culture and its context crafts a unique essence of place, or “Genius Loci”, deeply embedded in its socio-cultural ecosystem which identifies the city amongst its peers. Suzhou, with an ancestry of 2,500 years, is incredibly rich in tangible and intangible heritage and stands out as exemplary due to its unique historic gardens and as an ancient canal city — the “Venice of the East”. As a city on the UNESCO world heritage list and as a host of 100 million tourists annually, the city has been successful as a tourism destination. However, the Panmen experience points towards certain problematic aspects regarding the activation of historic sites which requires further analysis. Panmen, despite its outstanding historic and cultural legacy, admirable state of preservation and excellent tourism infrastructure, is per-

Comparison of the Grand Canal (1,710 km) and the Ganges (2,525 km)

ceived as an isolated place, a historic relic frozen in time disconnected from its cultural practice, the community and water. A “Cold Panmen” which seems to have lost its “Genius Loci”, can perhaps benefit from a brief study of Varanasi considered as one amongst the world’s oldest living cities where history has perpetuated into contemporary city life. ABOUT VARANASI

“Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Mark Twain Varanasi, situated on the Ganges – the most sacred river for the Hindus, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Like Suzhou, Varanasi is richly endowed with an impressive cultural legacy and successfully ex-

Scale comparison of the old city, Suzhou and old Core, Varanasi (marked in orange). Major Ghats (river banks) are marked as red dots. (Source: Google Earth / The Author)

ploits its incredibly rich intangible heritage on its unique riverbanks. In particular, the concept of perpetuity, closely associated with the river Ganges, qualifies Varanasi as an epitome of history in perpetuity. Not only is Varanasi unique in the architectural, artistic and religious expressions of traditional Indian culture, but it is also a living example of a cultural symbiosis between human endeavor and sacred water systems. The history of Varanasi as the spiritual capital of India can be traced back to the 5th century BCE. Ever since, Varanasi has been the living embodiment of Indian culture, a repository of ancient knowledge systems, traditions, rituals, multi-ethnic artistic traditions, architectural expressions, and in particular, a mediator between life and death. Varanasi, like Suzhou, has historically enjoyed a close ecological, cultural and economic association with a river system. The identity of Varanasi as a traditional trading, economic and transit hub of Northern India was shaped by its strategic position on the Ganges, roughly midway between the prosperous Maratha and Bengal provinces along an East-West trading route. By the late 18th century, Banaras became “the subcontinent’s inland commercial capital receiving immigrant merchant capital from north India“(Bayley, 1988), a prosperous industrial center, famous for its sculpture, muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, and ivory works. Like Suzhou, Varanasi continues to be an important commercial center, but it is its unique landscape of cultural and religious continuity that differentiates Varanasi from any contemporary city and successfully projects the city as an authentic representation of traditional Indian culture—a living demonstration of its perpetuity. Varanasi is the spiritual epicenter of India and effectively combines its myriad domains of archaeology, mythology, sacred geography, diverse ethnicity, linguistics, philosophies, art, architecture and traditional knowledge into a creative ecosystem which has continuously evolved over time. As part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Va-

ranasi today totals five universities, hundreds of active cultural institutions, a multitude of educational establishments and traditional schools of music, dance, theatrics, Yoga, astrology, medicine and other traditional knowledge systems that have been successfully exported to the world. Varanasi has been active as a center of learning to promote the Guru-Sishya (Mentor–Disciple) tradition, a system of oral education which transcends generations and imparts knowledge through debates and dialectics, both religious and spiritual taught over fifty Sanskrit schools. This spiritual training, which includes spiritual interpretations for physical healing, meditation techniques and stress relief methods along with Yoga, continues to be India’s biggest cultural export. Varanasi is the land of spirituality and many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and the Bhakti Movement owes its origin to the nexus of spirituality and philosophy in Varanasi. The Bhakti movement, especially, contributed immensely to the musical traditions through their Bhajans (devotional songs) which are popular around the world today. In fact, as a UNESCO City of Music, Varanasi boasts a distinct pedigree and is home to famous classical music festivals. Varanasi is blessed with a very active literary scene, a seat of traditional scholarship and a place where oriental and occidental outlooks interact to create inclusive philosophies. Varanasi is also a pioneer in handicrafts; the quality of craftsmanship is high amongst a multitude of traditional craftsware and is particularly famous for its high-quality hand-woven silk saris which are in demand globally. Varanasi is unique as it has been able to sustain its traditional knowledge systems which continue to be transmitted through generations as a thriving cultural export. It is an exceptional testimony to the living traditions in intangible heritage expressed through a mosaic of rituals and festivals, art and architecture, life and livelihoods.

Plan Suzhou

Endeavour: Ghats of Varanasi, bustling with daily activities, is an expression of human endeavor in relationship with sacred water systems. (Source: Thomas Young via Unsplash.com)

Nowhere is the architectural expression of this unique socio-cultural symbiosis more evident than in the Ghats of Varanasi. Like the Water Gates of Suzhou, it is in the Ghats of Varanasi where the man-nature-cosmos relationship is manifested. The Riverfront Ghats (a flight of steps leading down to a river) are amongst the most remarkable architectural features of Varanasi. The 6.8 km crescent shaped riverfront, flanked by historical buildings, is dotted with eighty-four riverfront Ghats which create a continuous landscape of both tangible and intangible heritage deeply embedded in an economical, functional, recreational, artistic, cultural and spiritual relationship between the city and water. It is the Ghats, their dominance in the daily life of citizens, the centrality they enjoy in the social life which simultaneously exists in both traditional and contemporary worlds, that clearly differentiates Varanasi from its peers. Unlike Suzhou, history has permanence in Varanasi and “the evolutionary process is clearly in progress” and closely associated with the daily life of its citizens “by virtue of powerful religious, artistic, cultural associations of the natural element” (Rana, 2009). “The natural setting, the spirit of place, and the continuity of cultural traditions have all blended together to create and preserve a unique lifestyle known as Varanasi” (Rana, 2009), which is the principal offering of the city to the world at large. Unlike Suzhou, and especially Panmen, culture is closely

connected to and is co-created by a complex ecology of human networks involving even the spectator (tourists) as they experience Varanasi. Varanasi never has been and possibly never will be a city of artifacts, frozen in time and place, strictly defined by zoning or Heritage regulations. In fact, Varanasi is defined by its “Genius Loci” or essence of place which is unrelated to the spectacular built fabric or any urban artifact but rests in the evolutionary relationships between its geography, ecology, spirituality and human networks. However, the dense (400 to 500 pax/ ha) romantic labyrinth around the Ghats, which tourists find most attractive, works against Varanasi. Compared to the 100 million tourists that visit Suzhou, only 5 million domestic and 300,000 foreign tourists visit Varanasi annually. Varanasi is unable to cater to this volume as the city structure is unsuitable for such large numbers. The old city is extremely dense, with narrow congested lanes, designed for pedestrians or slow tourism. Clearly, there is a carrying capacity issue which cannot be enhanced without environmental implications or without compromising the heritage experience unless one innovates at a systemic level. Like most urban areas in India, Varanasi must address intense development pressures. An increasing population, shrinking spaces, unauthorized modification of urban

Tradition: Celebration of intangible heritage on the riverfront Ghats. “Sandhya Aarati”: An ode to the River as a source of eternal life (Source: Intekhab Alam)

spaces, increasing traffic and environmental degradation are permanent threats to the integrity of the Ghats. The river Ganga, spanning 2,525 km across the entire north India, considered to be most sacred by Hindus, is reeling under pollution and reduced navigability. Degradation of the water quality has severely threatened the sacred, symbiotic relationship between man and nature, the very “Genius Loci” from which Varanasi draws its legitimacy and continuity as the spiritual epicenter of India. The “Clean Ganga program”, which recently won the World Bank Sustainable Development Award, 2018 offers some respite as does the Kyoto-Varanasi Partner City Agreement, 2014 “drawing upon Japanese expertise and technologies for the modernization of water management, sewage management, waste management and urban transportation”. The recent “100 Smart cities” program which is modeled from the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promises to be more effective for Varanasi as “heritage conservation and tourism management” has been given a distinct place among the seven major goals. IN SUMMARY In the domain of urban management, environmental protection, tourism infrastructure and heritage preser-

vation, Varanasi has a lot to learn from the success of Suzhou. However, Varanasi should never aspire to replicate the touristic success of Suzhou, as it might imply a compromise with the quality of the heritage experience. In fact, Varanasi should build upon its legacy of “living history”, as an exemplar in city branding where the intangible heritage associated with its “Genius Loci” has been successfully projected as a key differentiator. Amid its perpetuity, vividness and multiplicity, qualified by its “practicing religions, performing cultures, functioning society, regulating economy”, Varanasi creates a curious “cultural mosaic” or universe of “heritagescapes” (Rana, 2009) which is too seductive to deny. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. HKTDC Research, Suzhou: Profile of a Consumer Market, 10 August 2015 2. C. A. Bayly (1988), Rulers, Townsmen and Bazaars: North Indian Society in the Age of British Expansion, 1770-1870, Cambridge University Press 3. Singh, Rana P.B. 2009a. Heritagescapes of India: Appraising heritage ecology; in Singh, Rana P.B. Geographical Thoughts in India: Snapshots and Visions for the 21st Century. Cambridge Scholars Publishing, Newcastle upon Tyne: pp. 351-393. 4. Quartz India: INFORMAL ECONOMY, If you want to help the poor when visiting India, skip the package tour, Manini Sheker, May 2, 2018.

Plan Suzhou

Suzhou and Beyond

Three Key Ingredients to Make Heritage Work Today Olga Chepelianskaia

Today, we perceive and value heritage quite differently compared to the pre-digital era. Earlier, tangible and intangible heritage was an important part of recreation: a visit to a monument on the weekend, attending a performance, taking part in a poetry circle. Now, with the advent of telecommunications and digital technology, heritage is competing with many other options such as movies, online communication, video games or increasingly, virtual reality. These make it challenging for heritage to attract and retain attention. At the same time, new technologies offer opportunities that weren’t available before. International tourism nearly tripled between 1996 and 20171, as traveling became faster and cheaper. Digital technologies allow us to remotely experience heritage from any part of the world, no matter how distant. So, what do we look for in heritage today? We look for an active and immersive experience, which can stand at par with other entertainment options and, even more, stand out from them. Yet, this is seldom what Asian heritage cities offer. Why so? What is missing? Most often, it is one or more of three main ingredients that can create a vibrant heritage experience today. Three ingredients that can unlock the potential of heritage. These three ingredi-

ents are: stakeholder engagement, a dynamic approach to heritage, and an integrated and heritage-sensitive urban development. Let’s dive into them one by one in an international context and highlight learnings that Asian cities can take from existing successful examples. STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT When it comes to designing or programming a neighborhood, stakeholder engagement is a timidly used instrument, in Asia in general and in China in particular. Yet, whenever omitting it, cities run the risk of a lifeless outcome despite a quality infrastructure. The Wumen bridge side of Panmen demonstrates this well. Of course, public participation can be partly palliated by a thorough socio-economic analysis of targeted beneficiaries, this too is often omitted. Yet, the qualitative part of an analysis can only come from those who know all the implications of living in a neighborhood. Most successful urban interventions tend to come from a collaboration between stakeholders and implementers, including local authorities and urban practitioners. One of the most successful Asian examples is the city of Seoul where Mayor Park Won-soon was elected under the slogan: ‘In Seoul, the citizens are the Mayor’. Since then,

Panoramic view of Bangkok, Chao Phraya River and Wat Arun in background (Source: Travel Earth)

public objections than earlier plans and receives much wider support.

Mayor Park Won-soon at a public debate about air quality held at Gwanghwamun Plaza (Source: City Focus, Seoul)

the city has worked on creating effective communication bonds with its 10 million citizens through initiatives such as the On-Site Office of the Mayor initiative, Policy Listening Workshops or the Open Government 2.0 policy that allows public access to all administrative documents and data not classified as personal or confidential. The city’s Master Plan 2030 was developed in close collaboration with the citizens, who set up committees, deliberated and reached consensus on solutions, including smart platforms such as the m-Voting system. As a result, implementation of the master plan faces fewer

By now, cities have tested a broad variety of stakeholder engagement instruments and learning from this work can greatly facilitate the process. On the one hand, organic forms of participation such as trade unions, civic watchdog groups, producer and consumer cooperatives or activist groups of various types have been a driving force to many societal transformations throughout history2. On the other hand, engagement strategies evolved from building relationships with interested individuals to expanding those relationships into partnerships. These typically include ‘bonding’ through individual relationships with like-minded stakeholders, ‘bridging’ relations with community-based organizations that have similar goals yet work in a different arena and ‘linking’ to stakeholders with less power and resources. In both cases, community-driven development unlocks the capacity for collective action as well as social cohesion or ‘social capital’. Typically, stakeholder engagement instruments could be sub-divided into three major categories: 1. Face-to-face engagements: These largely include physical interactions, sometimes one-to-one, through

Citizens Connect Initiative, a public outreach effort to encourage meaningful and diverse participation into the Smart City proposal development. Initiative structured by Toronto based IBI Group in collaboration with Jones Long LaSalle (JLL). (Source: https://www. planning.org/awards/2017/bhubaneswar/

Plan Suzhou

information campaigns, discussion forums, experimental labs, cultural and street events. These instruments can be tailored to a particular context and bring decision-makers together with stakeholders. For example, based on the Do it Yourself (DiY) approach, ‘Play the City’ is an innovative game that engages stakeholders from different backgrounds to reflect upon large-scale intervention plans. Cities such as Shenzhen, China or Cape Town, South Africa have successfully used this instrument. Face-to-face engagements not only favor a dynamic dialogue and leave a strong impression in citizens’ minds but also form bonds and connections between stakeholders. On the other hand, this process may take time and end up favoring strong voices and interest groups while disadvantaging minorities and less outspoken groups. 2. Media channels: Outreach through printed and broadcast media was a predominant instrument until the 2000s. It still remains a powerful dissemination tool as it is widely accessible and accessed. It is a privileged communication medium during elections, and for a reason. A feedback component has been added through poll survey, feedback forms, correspondences, competitions or SMS interactions. The limitation is that this remains feedback rather than a full-fledged exchange. 3. Digital tools: These have gradually become of primary importance due to the prompt interaction they offer. Smartphone applications, social media, web portals including crowdsourcing and digital “hackathon” competitions are some examples of how to engage citizens. An interesting tool developed using the crowdsourcing of ideas is Open Street Map, also known as the ‘Wikipedia’ of mapping. It is freely available to all and anyone can contribute by tracing features such as roads and buildings on top of free, high-quality satellite imagery, regardless of their location. These tools can allow real-time and convenient engagement, but can also exclude those groups who are remote, cannot afford or comprehend the platforms, such as people with low income, people lacking formal education or the elderly. Combining these three instruments proves to be the most effective. Bhubaneshwar is rated the number one Indian smart city based on the quality of its smart city proposal. The importance given to stakeholder engagement may well be a key reason. The city developed a comprehensive Citizen’s Connect Initiative that combined diverse online and offline instruments, including discussion forums and face-to-face meetings with slum dwellers and street vendors, online polls, social media outreach, volunteer programs, design competitions, street plays, flash mobs and informational kiosks. Smart City Learning Labs, led by moderators, helped initiate community dialogues and engaged workers from local businesses and industries. As a result, as much as 1/3 of the 0.8 million Bhubaneshwar citizens could take part to the decision-making.

AND SUZHOU? In the case of the Panmen village, a once-existing vibrancy could be recovered through a renewed and inclusive public ownership model which, in turn, can only happen with a full public engagement. Local ownership of a site is a very effective strategy to appeal to visitors. Indeed, visitors are attracted to places that are dynamic and lively versus inactive. How to most effectively engage the Panmen stakeholders? The Panmen area’s socio-economic profile mostly consists of a low to low-middle income population, essentially represented by the elderly, a number of schools and universities and settled migrants. In addition, buildings located on the south side of Panmen are owned by three private owners. What needs to be paid attention to when engaging stakeholders here? •

•

We need to tap into the resource capacities of the youth and the elderly: interactive events such as games, street plays, workshops, storytelling could build on local knowledge as well as engage a dialogue between generations. Private owners would surely be interested in bringing in more lucrative activities to the site, which requires a close dialogue between them and the immediate beneficiaries. Here, discussion forums, surveys, information campaigns bringing together the private sector and the local population may generate out-ofthe-box ideas on how to revive the area. Efforts to engage with settled migrants may reveal new perspectives about the programming of the site. After all, the idea of stakeholder engagement is to be inclusive and to represent the voices of the less privileged too. Open and voluntary online platforms and smartphone applications could allow suggestions from school and university students to generate innovative solutions.

Finally, all these options would only be productive if conducted in close collaboration with local authorities and if the later are sincerely determined to find a common ground with the concerned public.

ACTIVE HERITAGE EXPERIENCE While China is undergoing a strong revival of interest towards its heritage assets, which the Grand Canal National Culture Park program demonstrates well, there is an acute need to find ways of engaging today’s audience into the heritage experience. This engagement can no

Integration of the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden beyond (Source- Arch_Sam)

Interactive touch screens (Source: 2011 Musee du Louvre Antoine Mongodin)

longer happen in the same manner as it used to happen a couple of decades ago. International examples show that today, heritage appears most attractive when it is an active, hands-on experience versus a passive contemplation. This experience needs to tailor to a variety of tastes through a variety of instruments: workshops, digital installations, walks, cafes, art galleries, training centers, and so on.

HOLISTIC HERITAGE EXPERIENCE: AN INTEGRATED AND HERITAGE-SENSITIVE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Let’s dwell on the example of the most internationally visited museum in the world, the Louvre. To keep this praised position year after year, the Louvre has had to continuously evolve. The museum went through a massive renovation in the 1980s, which culminated with the glass and steel Inverted Pyramid designed by I. M. Pei, coincidentally the principle architect of the Suzhou Museum. The pyramid complex generated not only a spirited public place aboveground, but equally underground: it added a whole complex of floors for research institutions, including the world famous Ecole du Louvre, and an extensive shopping area. The experience of the museum equally changed: smartphone applications, virtual tours, touch screens, night openings, educational projects, evening events such as “Young People Have Their Say”, movie screenings, dedicated openings for visitors with special needs, regular open door days, “Mystery in the Tuileries” or adventure games in the adjacent Tuileries garden, are a few examples of engaging activities that bring in a whole mélange of visitors.

AND SUZHOU? Looking to Panmen from this perspective, we immediately notice a very limited offering of activities. A walk along the heritage monuments, a few up-scale cafés located on the Wumen bridge side are some of the few things to do in Panmen. As this UPAT workshop demonstrated, there are countless opportunities to offer more.

Finally, what are the world’s most visited cities today? Bangkok (20.05 million), London (19.83 million), Paris (17.44 million), Dubai (15.79 million), Singapore (13.91 million), New York (13.13 million), Kuala Lumpur (12.58 million), Tokyo (11.93 million), Istanbul (10.70 million) and Seoul (9.56 million) as per the Mastercard’s 2018 Global Destination Cities Index. These cities are located all around the world but share one critical feature: they all offer a holistic and integrated experience. What does this mean? This means that most parts of these cities are an experience of their own. The visitor doesn’t have to wait to brave through endless standardized and badly connected or lifeless areas to reach a heritage destination. The city itself is an immersive experience. It is of critical importance to perceive the urban fabric as a whole. Take Agra, the home of the famous Taj Mahal. While the city offers a visitor 3 World Heritage Sites and 41 monuments of national importance, an overwhelming majority of tourists leave the city within the same day and avoid staying overnight. Why? Because there is a complete disconnect between the quality of the heritage sites and the quality of the rest of the urban fabric, and the later manages to bring down the former. So what works for cities that offer a holistic and integrated experience? The streets of Kuala Lumpur can tell us this story. Some of them benefit from the organic development of the urban fabric. They showcase open and responsive facades that enable interaction between buildings and the user, motorized vehicles may be restricted too. Here, people walk, shop, eat and spend time. Other streets demonstrate a paradox: despite planned sections for pedestrians and cycles, they seem lifeless. High-rise buildings with non-interactive facades and edges and rapid movement of cars clearly act as a barrier.

Plan Suzhou

Taj Mahal (left) (Source: Author), Agra city fabric (right) (Source: J.Echlin)

The real question is whether today it is at all possible, a fortiori in a rapidly developing urban Asia, to create this immersive urban fabric experience in a city. Successful examples are rare, but they do exist. One of them is Singapore. After independence in 1965, the government practiced a favorite approach of many Asian cities today, called “Demolish and Build”. Numerous heritage buildings perished in the process to give way to new commercial and residential developments. Until, in 1983, the government did a thorough analysis of tourism statistics and realized that tourism was annually decreasing by 3.5%. This brought in a critical shift and a new approach: coexisting “Old and New”. The approach resulted in these 4 key points: 1. Quality of heritage revitalization: All heritage sites that remained were revitalized, and mostly by precincts rather than by stand-alone buildings. Most famous of them are China Town, Kampong Glam and Little India. Once in the precinct, one has a continuous heritage experience. Adaptive reuse allowed for a restoration of the original building envelope while catering to today’s needs. For example, the Convent chapel has been restored as a multi-functional venue for performances and special events. In addition, regulations favor experiences connected to intangible heritage and prohibit uses such as Western fast-foods, supermarkets or car shops.

Vibrant street versus inactive street in Kuala Lumpur (Source: The Author (left), Creative Commons (right)

2. Integration of new development with heritage areas: Transitions between heritage and newly developed areas are thoroughly thought of. Roofscapes usually integrate with the heritage fabric and contribute to the overall streetscape profile. Profusely planted trees and greenery also help. In fact, trees and greenery are excellent urban elements to use when it comes to creating transitions between architectural styles. 3. Identity and unique character at the core of urban planning and design: Identity is a key element of the Singapore’s Concept Plan 2011, which guides the physical development of the city. Indeed, the whole planning process revolves around this concept. Both the Concept Plan 2011 and Land Use Plan 2030 make identity one of the six key elements of the Singapore’s vision. The Master Plan 2014 states: ‘Integrating local identity into urban design and the built environment, by weaving elements of local history and heritage, helps to preserve and enhance local identity, allows future generations to learn and understand the local history of their neighborhoods’. Singapore today receives more international visitors than India, the second most populated nation in the world. This tells us that focusing on identity is clearly a winning strategy. Most Asian cities have yet to adopt this fruitful approach.

Within Kampong Glam historic precinct

Old and new together, Singapore

Creative new architecture, Singapore

Further, each district of the city has specific urban design guidelines tailored to its specific purpose and identity. For example, the Orchard Road is defined to be a major commercial and tourism hub. As a result, its guidelines aim at ensuring smooth connectivity, a vibrant streetscape and an innovative high-quality design positioning Orchard Road as a premium shopping street. The Urban Design Plans and Guidelines for Developments within Orchard Planning Area (2013) take very specific care of the visual identity of the district. These parameters maintain that: • Building form and massing need to consider scale, form and architectural expression of the surrounding buildings; • Roofscapes need to complement the overall form, massing and architectural treatment of each development and contribute to the skyline profile; • Public spaces need to be conducive for the staging of events and visually integrate with adjacent open and covered walkways.

sit stations within neighborhoods and important natural buffers in high density zones. Heritage precincts are fully integrated into the network. For example, an MRT station is placed right in the middle of historic China Town (see below). The architectural language subtly blends with the existing heritage buildings. One of many beautiful juxtapositions of new and old in the city.

4. The overall experience is strengthened by seamless accessibility and mobility. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) principles are well reflected throughout Singapore: an articulated network of mass transit lines, cycling paths, pedestrian walkways, walkability to tran-

Orchard Road, Singapore

AND SUZHOU? Suzhou’s historic core is a mixture of stand-alone buildings and clusters of heritage, disrupted with wide roads: the Pishi and Renmin roads, leading from the Suzhou gardens to Panmen, feature several car lanes and newly built architecture with fragments of heritage. These have probably been built over canals or replaced a lane of traditional houses. Both such interventions are a major disruption to the historic urban fabric. Beyond the historic core, newly developed areas typically consist of industrial, business, manufacturing and educational parks such as the Suzhou

Integration of China Town historic district with MRT

Plan Suzhou

Living area within Suzhou historic core

Industrial Park (SIP), the Suzhou New District (SND) and Kunshan ETDZ. The urban fabric of these districts follows a standard architectural language and pattern. As a result, while the historic core, despite being disrupted, is a major visitor attraction, the city doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer that holistic and immersive experience Singapore offers. This leads to the question: how could Suzhou design and build today to develop a unique visual value proposition for the city as a whole? The effort would require three major tasks: 1. Retain the distinctive architectural features and styles of heritage structures not only in the existing heritage buildings but also in new structures, as was done in the Wumen bridge area. Creativity here is essential: it is not enough to copy the old style. 2. Reflect upon the identity of the city as a whole and upon the distinctive identity of each neighborhood of the city. No district should be left without an identity. Wonder how this identity can be reflected visually. What elements of traditional and new architecture are the right language for the city? How do the words, or architectural elements, compose into poems and novels, or streetscapes and roofscapes? 3. Develop urban design guidelines ensuring that new constructions reflect the identity and purpose of each neighborhood and that the city offers a holistic experience.

Gateway to the East (Source-SWA Group)

In conclusion, every Asian city has the potential to become a unique experience of vibrancy, well-being and cultural discovery. Indeed, every Asian city holds a unique combination of natural and cultural assets, both tangible and intangible. Unlocking this potential requires harnessing it rather than applying a one-size-fitsall approach. Cities that have been courageous enough to find their own path have never regretted it. Doing so requires strong political and public will and support, a subject for another article all together. BIBLIOGRAPHY: 1. From 0.5 billion to 1.3 billion people. Source: International Tourism, Number of Arrivals, World Tourism Organization, Yearbook of Tourism Statistics. Accessed from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT. ARVL?end=2017&start=1995&view=chart 2. Ghazala Mansuri and Vijayendra Rao (2013) Localizing Development: Does Participation Work, A World Bank Policy Research Report, World Bank, Washington D.C. pp. 283-308. Accessed from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTRES/ Resources/469232-1321568702932/8273725-1352313091329/ PRR_Localizing_Development_ch7.pdf 3. Michigan State University (2014) A Guidebook to Community Engagement: Involving Urban and Low-Income Populations in an Environmental Planning Process, Planning and Zoning Center, Michigan State University. Accessed from http://mirisingtide.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/CE_ GuidebooktoCommunityEngagement_FINAL_Sept2014.pdf

Suzhou Grand Canal Revitalization

Re-envisioning the Role of Water John Echlin

A BUSY WATERY PAST On our arrival at the hotel in the City of Suzhou, we – the visiting UPAT planners, were each given an unexpected gift by our hosts, the Jiangsu Institute of Urban Planning and Design. Inside a silk indigo-blue box lay a beautiful artifact; a rolled 2.5 m silk scroll with a delicate black and white image of the ancient city-plan of Suzhou (Fig. 1). This was not going to be an ordinary workshop! The silk print is a reproduction of the famous ‘Pingjiang Map’, dating to the Song Dynasty in 1229, one of the oldest and most detailed stone carvings recording a city plan to be found anywhere in the world. The original stone itself, 2.84 meters high and 1.46 meters wide stands at the Suzhou Confucian Temple, just down the street from Panmen Watergate, the subject of our workshop. As I have come to learn, this city map is a key to understanding the unique and intimate relationship that the City of Suzhou has with water and has had throughout its ‘watery’ history. Studying the map, one sees the complex layout of gridded streets and water canals, the socalled double chessboard pattern of parallel rivers and alleys that have made Suzhou famous. The even more famous Suzhou Gardens from the later Ming and Qing Dynasties owe their very existence to this much older intricate system of canals. As a delta city, built on the flood plain of the Yangtze River, one imagines how life in the thirteenth century must have been so intimately con-

Figure 2: View of Suzhou Grand Canal looking towards Panmen (Source: Prosperous Suzhou by Xu Yang, 1759)

nected to water. As in many delta regions of the world, living on the land was literally to be surrounded by water. In this low-lying wetland region, the canals originally served several purposes, as a means of draining and building up the land to allow construction, as a means to irrigate agricultural fields, as a means of flood-control and civil defense but primarily as a means of transportation. Truly multi-functional in every sense, in the earliest days it was no doubt far easier to travel by canal-boat than by land. Early images of Suzhou emphasize, in great detail, the tremendous bustle of activity at the water’s edge. Barges loaded with goods, waterfront markets, shops, the density of life along the canals was astonishing (Figure 2).

Figure 1: The Pingjiang Map silk scroll and the original Pingjiang stone dated to 1229 AD (Source: The Author (left), Siyuwj—wikipedia (right))

Plan Suzhou

Figure 3.1: Ping-Jiang map (top) detail

Figure 4: Suzhou canal network today

Figure 3.2: Nolli map of Rome detail

Figure 5: Pingjiang street and canal

The beauty in the 1229 Pingjiang Map of Suzhou is how it so carefully combines a depiction of Suzhou as both a real and idealized city. Streets and waterways are depicted in detailed plan-view, down to the pattern of stone pavement still to be seen in the streets of old Suzhou today, while the important buildings, city walls, temples, pavilions and bridges are all drawn in elevation. As a black and white image, the Pingjiang Map brings to mind Giambattista Nolliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous map of Rome produced in 1748, over five centuries later. Where Nolli uses black and white figure-ground to represent the continuity of public space inside and outside buildings, the Pingjiang Map can be said to represent the continuity of water as the defining feature of this city (Fig. 3). One especially notices this continuity in the primacy of the broad white lines of water in this negative image. The dominant horizontal and vertical canals stand-out, the land-based roads are secondary. Even the five water-gates are drawn as the primary entrances to the city, accompanied by small secondary gated roadways. Another important detail is how, especially in the dense northern quarters of the city, all east-west canals are located on the south sides of streets. Could this be a clue to another of the many functions of the canals, for climate regulation, allowing greater access to sunlight in winter for the streets and

south-facing houses, and in summer, shaded water-cooling breezes?

The Grand Canal and its tributaries in Suzhou have served a variety of roles in the past and accommodated a diversity of activities. As Suzhou became even more industrialized, the canals served the local silk factories for transport of raw materials and finished goods, power generation and trade. This continued until the construction of the southern bypass canal in the 1980s eliminated all of the commercial boat traffic from the canal system surrounding the city. So today, aside from the occasional tourist barge, line fisherman and maintenance crews, the canals possess an eerie quiet and are almost entirely void of activity. A STILL AND QUIET PRESENT Nearly eight hundred years after the Pingjiang Map was carved in stone, one can walk the streets and alleys of old Suzhou today and still find places that may be identical to what was represented in 1229. (Fig. 4) Though much of the canal system is lost, there are still alternating rows of streets, two-story houses and waterways aligned in a grid, with small stone bridges knitting this delicate fab-

Figure 6: Suzhou still-water canal reflections and the Suzhou Museum Sculpture Garden by I.M.Pei

Figure 7: The Humble Administrator’s Garden, Suzhou

Figure 8: Abandoned tributary canal near Panmen

ric together. Many of the canals have been filled over the centuries, due to neglect, poor drainage, silting-up and the need for ever more and ever wider roadways, but the primary canals and five water gates to the Grand Canal have endured. One street, named after the ancient city itself and running north-south with a canal adjacent, Pingjiang, is a Chinese tourist favorite, to stroll amidst shops, weeping willows, cobblestone pavement and inviting waterside sitting areas. The occasional wooden tourist skiff drifts by, and otherwise the canal waters form a serene and idyllic backdrop. One would hardly imagine they are in the center of an urban area of 10 million people (Fig. 5).

No wonder there is the ancient Chinese proverb, “there is heaven above and there is Suzhou below”. This still, quiet, reflective quality of water is also one of the main features of many, at least 200, of the Suzhou Gardens (Fig. 7). Within the garden walls, one can experience the profound qualities of nature in miniature. The essential elements of stone, water, architecture and trees are arranged in often complex and tranquil compositions, and particular views are given poetic titles. Seasonal changes, weather and variations in daylight provide endless variety. In ancient times, nature was something to be experienced quietly, either at a distance, with views of mountains outside the city walls or inside these protected garden realms.

The waters of the Suzhou canals flow slowly and quietly, moving from north to south through the city with minimal slope. While the water quality, flow-rate and pollutant levels are of great concern, the effect of such slow-moving water visually is as a mirror to the sky, reflecting the surrounding trees and buildings but especially the sky. Whenever one encounters the water canals in Suzhou, the ground-plane is broken, and one gains a sense of the infinite. This effect was captured by I.M.Pei in the sculpture garden of the Suzhou Museum. (Fig. 6)

The Grand Canal and its tributaries were never meant to mimic ‘natural’ creations with soft meandering shorelines, roaring rapids and native forests, of the kind celebrated in Chinese painting and represented in miniature gardens. They were working artificial rivers with hardedged and industrious waterfronts. Never intended as natural features they have, over time, and through abandonment and disuse, been taken-over by vegetation (Fig.8). Together, with initiatives to create more open space in the city, the canals of Suzhou have started to

Plan Suzhou

Figure 9: Swimming in Copenhagen Inner Harbor, kayaking in the East River, New York City (Source: JDS Architects (left) Nathan Kensinger (right))

take on new meaning and functionality as green parklike spaces, places of repose and relaxation. This new role, as blue-green social and activity space, is key to their future. A HEALTHY AND ENERGETIC TOMORROW Suzhou has survived through the centuries with its essential water grid structure laid out in the Pingjiang Map intact. The creation of the Grand Canal National Culture Park should also be an opportunity to reconsider the role of the waterways in the daily lives of the residents it touches. The canals should not merely be nostalgic reminders of the past but continue to function as vital and active waterways. While it’s not possible to entirely bring back the commercial and water transport functions that have disappeared, it is possible to consider new uses, activities and connections to restore and revive the canals as functioning water infrastructure. There is an opportunity to revitalize the Suzhou Grand Canal and its tributaries by re-envisioning them as part of a holistic blue-green infrastructure that also incorporates new social and cultural activities, especially water-based activities, to connect people with nature. This is also not only in the ancient inner city of Suzhou but in the surrounding suburbs as well, where dense housing complexes surround abandoned and underutilized waterways feeding into the Grand Canal. This should be part of a comprehensive program incorporating new thinking, such as the national ‘Sponge City’ initiative launched in 2014, to address a multiplicity of needs like stormwater management, new flood control parameters driven by climate change and urban heat-island reduction targets to save energy. But it should also integrate new social and cultural opportunities to improve health and wellbeing for people living in the inner city by providing modern recreational amenities. Waterfront cities such as Copenhagen, New York City and Berlin have begun to reinvent their once heavily-polluted industrial rivers as public recreation activity generators.

There is a heavy emphasis on health and well-being with pedestrian, cycling and running activities linked with non-motorized water-based recreation such as rowing and sculling, rafting, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), even swimming. These compliment more land-based sports and recreation and can be easily combined in community land-water activity centers. Water-based activities also connect people directly with water as an experience, not only passively as something to look at. Water activities provide movement, color and life to open spaces when seen from land. People enjoy watching the endless variety of activities on water (Fig. 9). All great waterfront cities have highly active waterways. The Suzhou blue-green canal system could readily become a place for the community to gravitate to for sports, recreation and community events. Incorporating traditional Chinese arts and activities such as Tai-Chi, Night-dancing and Dragon-boating would be a well-rounded offering that would reflect the local culture and traditions. The goals of the blue-green canal system for Suzhou should include: •

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To reestablish the network of Suzhou neighborhood canals, including the lost canals, as a continuous web allowing unimpeded water movement with integrated pedestrian access for the surrounding communities to and from the Grand Canal. This pathway network should be for all ages and abilities and consider groups as well as individuals. The ability to bring people from their homes following a bluegreen pathway network that leads to the Grand Canal will also avoid the Grand Canal National Culture Park becoming an isolated and lifeless monument. To integrate ‘Sponge-City’ strategies of rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, bioswales, green roofs and walls, and permeable pavement to capture rainwater and enhance the resiliency of the city to potential flooding. The canal system is an ideal existing armature to build on and add these new urban amenities. To view the blue-green canal network as an entire

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Figure 10: Sketch illustrating revitalization of abandoned canal

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supportive ecosystem, expanding the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tree canopies and green spaces to link todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s isolated pockets of green into continuous corridors, allowing people a closer immersive experience in nature while providing shade, increased habitat area and reducing urban heat-island effects. To emphasize new water-based uses and activities, including for transport such as water taxis, sport and recreational activities that can utilize the full canal network. Contemporary water/land-based community activity centers and programs located within walking distance to neighborhoods and harmonizing with the historic heritage elements, will reenergize placid parks and connect people directly with water as an everyday experience.

The creation of the Grand Canal National Culture Park coincides with a time when the demand for open space, parks, health and recreational activities of all kinds are providing a new impetus for city revitalization around the world. As more and more people live in cities, the contact and benefits of being close to nature are becoming more and more remote. Providing access to nature in an urban environment can foster greater mental, physical health and wellbeing. Physical activities, recreation

and sports in natural settings can be positive anecdotes to the stresses of city life. It is also a well know design factor that the presence of water in green spaces can have a calming and restorative effect. By re-envisioning the role of water in Suzhou, through reinventing the canal network as part of a continuous blue-green infrastructure and activating the resulting parks and waterways with new programs promoting physical health and mobility, the quality of living and the resiliency of the city will be significantly improved. REFERENCES: UNESCO World Heritage Convention Cultural Heritage Nomination, The Grand Canal, Volume 1, State Administration of Cultural Heritage of Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Republic of China, 2014 Change of Canal Networks and Canal Space of Suzhou, Li Yan, Seiji Sato, Yuji Kobayashi, The 2nd Internation Symposium on City Planning and Environmental Management in Asian Countries, Asian Urban Research Group, 2000 The Documentation of Historic Maps of World Heritage Site City Suzhou, ZHANG Guangwei, School of Architecture, Tsing-hua University, Beijing, China, 2013 Case Studies of the Sponge City Program in China, Li, Xiaoning & Li, Junqi & Fang, Xing & Gong, Yongwei & Wang, Wenliang, 2016

Plan Suzhou

The Grand Canal Waterfront of Suzhou

A Connector for the People Sebastien Goethals

As the historical economic driver of Suzhou and the surrounding region, the Grand Canal has, until recently, been ignored in the urban development process of the last decades. Although the network of urban canals has left a permanent footprint on the spatial planning of Suzhou’s urban form, it has gradually lost importance in people’s mental map of the city. Turned into functional axes and spaces for traffic, many main arteries of Suzhou, some of them parallel to pre-existing canals, have become mental and physical barriers between people and water. Suzhou’s case is almost paradigmatic to several Chinese city centers, initially surrounded by ancient canals and walls that are now encircled by main roads. In spite of this recent evolution, the Grand Canal and its waterfronts remain an ideal interface between Suzhou’s old and new districts, younger and elder generations, heritage and innovation. A soft but contrasting treatment of the inner and outer waterfronts seems to be the most appropriate approach for a city with so much history that also has an eye on the future.

a slow rhythm of life in the city, reconnecting people and visitors with their environment, letting multi-generational public spaces emerge as urban windows to the water, encouraging healthier mobility in the city as the starting point of a pedestrian network designed for the people of Suzhou. From pocket parks to soft public spaces impregnated by Suzhou’s traditional gardens, the inner belt invites the visitor to experience a slower pace in a city experiencing rapid development. On the other hand, the dynamic activity belt gives more space for innovation, experience, education and physical activities. The dynamic belt is the space where progress meets tradition, where the recent digital shift of China meets 5000 years of history, and where ancient water engineering meets urban resilience.

The concepts of dynamic/outer and passive/inner belts along the Grand Canal aim to revive places, to create an innovative relationship to heritage sites and history through interactive education, slower tourism, multi-purpose mobility and contemplation of the canal itself.

It is also the place where new forms of shared-use mobility using digital technologies can interact with smarter public spaces dedicated to multimodal solutions and lead the future of urban mobility in Suzhou and China. The outer/active belt of Suzhou is the starting point of a people-oriented transformation of urban infrastructure, using innovation in mobility and seamless inter-modality to form new concepts of urban streets, boulevards and waterfronts.

The passive belt in the inner city is characterized by a profound relation and respect to heritage. It brings back

The wide spaces of asphalt dedicated to traffic around the Grand Canal bring multiple barrier effects, but they

A passive and slow belt, celebrating and restoring the historical identity of Suzhou (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

A dynamic and educative belt, looking to the future of urban China and restoring the relationship between the people and the city (Source: ISOCARP / JUP)

Suzhou’s Revolution of Space

are also spaces of opportunity for smarter and seamless mobility in the near future, “consuming” less space for traffic, and more for human activity. This “revolution of space” has the potential to reshape the use of urban roads in Chinese cities. In the case of Suzhou, experimental and educational tourism oriented to reinventing urban lifestyles can be a lever of urban innovation through public spaces integrating walkability, public transport, multimodal solutions, energy, restored biodiversity and urban agriculture, and activating the element of water in multiple ways.

form a network of places where visitors can play and learn about the way Suzhou people have lived during the past 2500 years, with a reflection on current urban lifestyles. Functioning as an open-air museum and relying on outdoor spaces and urban experience, this network forms an educative digital belt connecting the past and future. Bringing people back to public spaces through augmented spatio-temporal experience has both cultural and social advantages in the context of Suzhou.

Urban lifestyle trends in 2020, from car-oriented mobility to increasing dependence on the internet for social life, are making public spaces and streets more mono-functional and less vibrant than a decade ago. Meanwhile, the current approach of developing museums is still very traditional, with dedicated and monumental buildings distant from street life. Digital connectivity still mostly relies on mobile phones, with its well-known impacts on social relations. But in the future, more objects will be connected and the emergence of augmented reality (AR) will bring new forms of spatial and social interactions. In this context, technology could become an opportunity to create new forms of urban experience. Connecting existing public spaces along the Grand Canal with AR innovation could bring the museums out of the buildings and connect people with the history of each space. It would then be possible to see the evolution of each area of Suzhou along the Grand Canal during each period of its history. Public spaces along the canal could

Suzhou’s Open-air Museum

Plan Suzhou

SHIFTING THE MOBILITY EXPERIENCE Shared-use and connected mobility have a high potential to drastically decrease the space needed for traditional traffic and parking. The redefinition of the concentric roads parallel to the Grand Canal requires a strategy at the metropolitan level. A holistic planning approach can influence the way visitor flows converge in the city, how much space they consume for parking space, where and how they walk and ride, and what is their spatial experience while entering Suzhou. Keeping motorized traffic upstream, outside Suzhou’s inner city, with parking supply associated to alternative modes (water taxis, walking, bike sharing along the canals, shared shuttles for small groups and visitors, on the canals and streets) is the best way to develop a “filter” of healthy city development around the city center. This “filter”, made of innovation and experimental projects, has social, economic and environmental significance because it creates value for people and the urban economy. Many groups of visitors currently reach only specific spots after having travelled through traffic jams and parked close by. Their approach to visiting Suzhou is very static and lacks the true experience of “current Suzhou City”. By shifting their mobility experience during their trips to reach destinations such as the Panmen gate, their presence along the canals on reinvented streets and paths will expand opportunities of cultural and educational activities in urban areas that have been left

behind Suzhou’s modernization and renovation. In the case of Panmen gate, Xitang and Xujiang rivers networks and their soft waterfronts could become new vectors of accessibility to the site. With a smart parking management strategy happening between the South Ring Road and Nanmen Road, combined with healthy multimodality, places like Wumenqiao, Jintang and Pannancun communities will be reactivated and reconnected to the metropolitan transformation of Suzhou. The dual regeneration of the urban belt of Suzhou (green/ blue, active/passive, past/future, educational/entertaining) echoes the multiple challenges that other cities in China face at the edge of their city center in terms of conflict between water, road infrastructure, mobility issues and livability (e.g. 2nd Ring Road of Beijing, 1st Ring Road of Chengdu, Huancheng road in Xi’An.) These networks of infrastructure currently appear as physical barriers dedicated to motorized traffic, witnessing the rapid modernization of Chinese cities. But they also are the next areas of transformation and innovation that will revive the concentric nature of Chinese urbanism. The revitalization of the Grand Canal in Suzhou will serve as a model for all Chinese cities, as a connector for the people and a catalyst for urban innovation in synergy with heritage.

Figure 5: Similarities of Chinese cities networks of infrastructure (Clockwise Top: 1.Suzhou, 2.Beijing, 3.Xi’An, 4.Chengdu) (Source: Strava Heat Maps)

Setting the Scene for Panmen

Strategic Design for Heritage Milena Ivković

As the ISOCARP UPAT team was progressing their work at the Panmen location in Suzhou, it became evident that despite meticulous protection and conservation, there is a certain level of mismatch between what is labelled as a protected area and the actual functional uses of its surroundings. In order to develop not only a historically-respectful but also a future-proof architectural and urban design concept, it is necessary to have particular knowledge and skills on how to deploy design as a strategy to achieve successful heritage renewal. This requires out-of-the-box thinking, and an ability to conceptualize, contextualize and successfully interpret the immense historic, cultural and architectural values of the Grand Canal Culture. These values are most evident in Suzhou’s inner-city and within the boundaries of the Panmen Grand Canal National Culture Park (GCNCP) location.

physical structures or natural landscape features) will not create that much-desired “specialness” of a place, the distinctive and admirable atmosphere of a location. Since complex perception and association generate the place, adding more layers of different visual queues (information tables, dedicated lanes or thematic signage) will not automatically create a high-quality experience, but rather confusion. More neutral, less rigid solutions should be deployed in order to allow a place to develop certain uniqueness. The spirit of a place can be very robust or extremely delicate – there are no guidelines to indicate which has more value. In Suzhou, and in the Panmen district, a visitor can experience both of them, closely connected to the Grand Canal — robust industrial sites and old military strongholds as well as (for example) the delicate water-streets of Shantang.

There are two important aspects of each heritage location, which can be addressed through specific, high-quality architectural and urban design solutions: the outer manifestation of the historical structures (the “skins”, facades of the buildings, or the materials used for other structures, such as walls, bridges or roads) and the intangible “sense of place”.

In Europe, the design and design-driven strategy approaches have been at the heart of active heritage renewal efforts for decades. The accumulated layers of history and dynamic transformation of cities show that a “linear” approach in conservation and renewal is not sustainable anymore. In this context, a “linear approach” to heritage means almost automatically prioritizing what is the “oldest” building or structure, then prescribing certain relaxed rules for the “younger” structures, while giving an open status to the “newest” structures. This prioritizing of only temporal characteristics aligns heritage renewal closer to archaeology than to an active urban planning approach. Archaeology is, by default, keen on keeping (or recording) and conserving built artifacts as they are found, and by doing so, maintains them for the future generations to learn about and protect. Dynamic, contemporary cities profit more from a “non-linear” approach – observing different objects from different periods as a whole, in their current context, combined with their age, time and external forces. Economic value and the principles of sustainability are examples of such forces, which affect the success of urban renewal beyond a simple appreciation of historic values.

For a visitor or an occupant of these heritage-rich sites and neighborhoods, the façade is the first, direct experience with the past. The outer envelope defines the appearance of the building and is the most tactile, visible cultural reference. This reference does not always have to be in direct connection with architectural history or archaeology, or to provide precise information of the “past building style”. In fact, there are other intangible cultural references, to things such as lifestyle, art or activities which can be read and experienced through the facade of the buildings or through the combination of a distinctive skin and actual use of the building. In contrast to the physical quality of these heritage buildings and physical objects, defining the “sense of place” is a more complex task. Even with well-known design instruments, it is difficult to capture a sense of place, because it is highly implicit and its value depends on human senses — sight, touch, emotions, and the general physical and mental sensations that a certain place evokes. This complexity is one of the reasons why simple replication of historic elements (whether they are

I have selected two examples from the European and Dutch practice of urban renewal showcasing strategic design for heritage: the Caixa Forum Museum in Madrid, Spain, as an example of creating a sense of place with very limited historical resources, and Chanel Amsterdam Store in a hyper-protected, highly attractive inner-city

Plan Suzhou

Caixa Forum Museum, Madrid, Spain (Source: Tom Fahy)

of Amsterdam, for its innovative re-use of the historical façade. CAIXA FORUM MUSEUM, MADRID, SPAIN Architects: Herzog and de Meuron, realization 2007 The site of the Caixa Forum Museum in Madrid had many limitations—positioned in the tight grid of small, narrow streets of Madrid’s historic inner city, dominated by an old power station, with a gasoline pump station nearby. The driving force for the intervention was the need to upgrade the public space and add a new cultural function to the area. Other important cultural institutions in the vicinity are the Prado Museum and Reina Sofia Museum, which are among Madrid’s major tourist attractions. The old power station (a large brick structure) possessed an industrial heritage quality, with original brick walls and ornaments, but obsolete in functionality. The gas station in the vicinity was demolished, and the space was used to build part of the Caixa Forum Museum, hosting contemporary art pieces. Still, the narrowness of the historical streets and the relatively small size of the lot required a creative and radical approach to the old power station building in order to transform it into a cultural and tourist landmark. The original interior of the power station is completely demolished, with only the outside brick wall remaining. To make space for a public square and main entrance to the museum, the ground floor of the old power station was completely carved out. New,

highly contrasting architectural elements were added in order to make a spectacle of both the old and new building styles. Finally, the spirit of the typical Madrilène “plaza” has been preserved – a place rich in shadows, with a water fountain, suitable for the hot, Southern European climate. Warm terracotta colors of the brick are contrasted with modern materials, while slick, smooth surfaces of the pavement are contrasted with a robust green-wall façade. CHANEL AMSTERDAM STORE, AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS Architects: MVRDV, realization 2017-2018 This transformation of one of the traditional buildings in the inner city of Amsterdam shows a respectful inter-action with a heritage structure, which can also be modern, relevant and creative. It showcases that heritage buildings cannot truly survive without adapting to new uses. Amsterdam’s traditional architectural style, for which the city is so well known and appreciated, has emerged from many practical transformations and iterations throughout time. MVRDV architects used this century-old dynamic approach to the built environment to use glassbricks and modern building techniques to recreate the traditional style in a highly innovative way. The idea to use new materials (glass) in an old format (brick) was never tested before, and it involved some high-tech experimentation (in collaboration with TU Delft and a

Chanel Amsterdam Store, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Source: MVRDV)

German industrial adhesives company, to produce a transparent glue strong enough to bind the bricks, just like cement would, with old artisanal traditions (glass being produced in Venice, Europe’s most famous fine glass manufacturing city). The old building was also “stretched” from the inside, adding extra ceiling height, to accommodate the contemporary needs of a high-end fashion brand sales space. The glass bricks have been used only partially, on the ground floors, and are merged with traditional bricks towards the second floor of the building. The new glass skin is smooth and delicate, reflecting the surrounding historical buildings perfectly.

PERSPECTIVES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC DESIGN Being part of the Grand Canal of China legacy is a great privilege and responsibility for a city like Suzhou. If nothing else, the ISOCARP UPAT workshop in Panmen has shown the level of precision and dedication needed to deal with the magnitude of both the built and unbuilt heritage of the Grand Canal Culture. During the many talks and interviews with local administrators, and working with JUP colleagues, the UPAT international experts learned about the annual Suzhou Design Week. This event is a good opportunity for Suzhou to profile itself as a city pioneering new, innovative approaches using design as a strategic tool for heritage renewal. The Suzhou Design Week can demonstrate that it has a remarkably

Chanel Amsterdam Store, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (Source: MVRDV)

sharp eye for new generations of Chinese and international designers able to recognize and interpret architectural and landscape qualities of historical structures not obvious to most people, and how to turn them into modern urban solutions.

Plan Suzhou

The Flowing Heritage LIU Zhichao

This international design workshop took shape as a result of the collision of a few key elements — the Grand Canal, the National Culture Park and the City of Suzhou. As the workshop team leader Dushko Bogunovich said, “Taking part in this international design workshop is a very exciting experience and also a great shock”. This feeling not only comes from respect for this world heritage site, but also from the appreciation to launch this national cultural project at this point in history. The Grand Canal of China is the longest, as well as the oldest, canal in the world. With a length of 1,710 kilometers running through East China, it connects five river basins: the Hai River, the Yellow River, the Huai River, the Yangtze River, and the Qiantang River. Not only goods but also diverse cultures were spread widely by the canal during an age of agricultural civilization. The canal facilitated the exchange and integration of diverse cultures. In the Qing dynasty, for example, the Grand Canal enabled officials in Beijing to wear clothes made of silk from Suzhou and enjoy the melodious Kunqu opera - “The Peony Pavilion”. The Grand Canal National Culture Park is an important cultural project that has been recently promoted and implemented at the national level. The main objective is to enhance park management and begin the formation of carriers representing Chinese culture through the reorganization of public spaces and the integration of important cultural heritage sites and resources. The Jiangsu Section is the earliest excavated section of the whole canal and Suzhou is the most unique city alongside it. Since WU Zixu built the city 2,500 years ago, the spatial relationship between the Grand Canal and ancient Suzhou has remained the same. The Grand Canal has played an important role in the development of Suzhou and in its economic and cultural prosperity. It has also shaped an attractive environment in the historical center.

Of note are the cultural traditions and customs maintained in the lifestyle of local people who lived along the Grand Canal. Throughout history, the socio-economic development of the city has accompanied the evolution of the canal. As a result of the declining use of the Grand Canal for transportation, people turned their back on the canal in their daily lives. Today there is an opportunity to revitalize the Grand Canal through functional renewal and industrial innovation thanks to improved living standards in China. On the basis of functional renewal, we plan to strengthen the relationship between the Grand Canal and the city by connecting existing functions in various ways and revitalizing the canal as an organic part of the city. We have paid specific attention to help establish opportunities for the younger generation to connect with the Grand Canal National Culture Park, by proposing attractive and children-friendly spaces. The Grand Canal is a common amenity for everyone, and it is the responsibility of contemporary Chinese society to maintain. This one-week international workshop was not only a feast for academic and professional communication, but also a sharp collision of ideas from global experts. This kind of platform is a precious opportunity for urban planners and designers. As a participant, I followed the whole process and saw UPAT experts enjoying the fun of communication after fierce debate and discussion. From “good morning” at breakfast to “good night” at midnight, we have gained friendships and numerous understanding smiles. The infinite passion and devotion of all UPAT experts has encouraged me to continue working on this national-level cultural project with a stronger sense of mission and responsibility. I believe the development of the Grand Canal National Culture Park will become a great example of the protection, inheritance and utilization of outstanding traditional Chinese culture.

Plan Suzhou

The Closing Ceremony and Chinese Expert Voices

周岚 ZHOU LAN On the last day of the workshop, at the Closing Ceremony, the workshop teams gave a final presentation sharing the findings and recommendations from the three group explorations. Dushko Bogunovich, as team leader, gave his overall observations from the experience, followed by five leading domestic urban planning and transport experts, the Vice Mayor of Suzhou and the Vice Director of the Jiangsu Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department. What follows are highlights of remarks from these experts.

To close the ceremony, the Suzhou Declaration was announced, a joint agreement of cooperation between the JUP and ISOCARP promoting the development of the Grand Canal Culture Park in Jiangsu Province.

Closing ceremony of UPAT workshop in Suzhou (Source: JUP)

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Vice Director of Urban Planning Society of China, Director of Jiangsu Housing and Urban-Rural Development Department “The challenges we are dealing with in this project reflect general issues we have encountered in the transformation process of China’s urbanization. Our profession of urban planning and design at all levels requires more inter-disciplinary and integrated collaboration and coordination.”

杨知评 YANG ZHIPING

武廷海 WU TINGHAI

杨涛 YANG TAO

Vice Mayor of Suzhou

Professor and Dean of the Department of Urban Planning, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University

Professor, Chairman of Nanjing Institute of City & Transport Planning Co., Ltd.

“We have over 12 million residents in Suzhou and 100 million tourists every year. It’s an urgent task to utilize the Grand Canal to combine the needs of these two groups. The consensus we have reached today will be the guidance to planning and management in the near future.”

Think Globally, Design Locally “We need a global perspective to design the Grand Canal as a cultural axis of Suzhou and this workshop offers a great opportunity. Suzhou will become a ‘world city’ if we can design a ‘water city’ with its cultural identity well.”

“China is developing at an extremely rapid pace and constantly making miracles, such as the Grand Canal in the past and the high-speed rail system at present. This project inspires us to rethink the value of the Grand Canal. We need to change our mindset about planning and slow down the pace of development to meet other important needs for today and the next generation.”

伍江 WU JIANG

袁奇峰 YUAN QIFENG

张鑑 ZHANG JIAN

Executive Vice President, Professor, Tongji University

Professor, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology

Chairman of Jiangsu Urban Planning Society

“The ideas developed at the workshop are very important to the future development of Suzhou. It reminds me of the first workshop in Suzhou led by Leoh Ming Pei 25 years ago. I believe PingJiang Road will be different without that workshop and I also believe that today’s workshop will be recorded in history.”

“The workshop has a sharp eye for defining problems. The main objective of bringing people and activities back to the waterfront is very meaningful to re-build the city-water connection and it also fits into the national programme of ‘City Betterment and Ecological Restoration’.”

“This workshop is an open platform that allows communications between different sectors, disciplines, methods and cultures. The design emphasizes the needs of diverse users and creates the link between past, present and future with shared spaces.”

Plan Suzhou

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