We have some new ideas and suggestions for researching the development of three ancient towns: Zhujiajiao, Sijing, and Zhaojialou | Culture | Ancient Town
Ancient towns are an important component of cities, serving as important witnesses of regional historical changes, social development, cultural accumulation, and more. Updating and transforming the ancient town to create a cultural and tourism destination with regional characteristics can not only improve the quality of life of residents, make people live in peace and comfort, but also stimulate the vitality of the ancient town, promote tourism and rural economic development.
In Shanghai, the three ancient towns of Zhujiajiao, Sijing, and Zhaojialou have typical sample significance. Based on the investigation and research of these three ancient towns, some countermeasures and suggestions can be proposed for the renewal of ancient towns under the new situation.
"Measures and Results"
Starting from 2020, relevant authorities in Shanghai have organized the "Good Places at Home" urban micro renewal action, creating a new type of public space that integrates daily activities of residents, thematic features, cultural tourism and other composite functional elements.
The three ancient towns of Zhujiajiao, Sijing, and Zhaojialou adhere to the development concept of putting the people at the center, based on characteristics and reality, promote organic urban renewal, and continuously explore new paths suitable for development.
Improve living environment and improve functional services——
While doing a good job in protecting the appearance, we will also focus on promoting the ancient style of ancient towns, and regard the improvement of the living environment as a breakthrough to help rural revitalization and tap into the potential of cultural and tourism development at the doorstep.
For example, Sijing Ancient Town has added various green landscapes, pocket green spaces of 600 square meters, and more than 20 potted plants and stone flower boxes. The model section has basically completed the lighting landscape construction along the street for merchants, Anfang Pagoda, and the tower garden. More than 3000 square meters of temporary parking lots have been set up, and more than 250 new parking spaces have been added.
Deeply cultivate cultural inheritance and cultivate fertile soil for people's livelihood——
The updated ancient town not only consciously continues the living customs of residents, but also innovates and develops the cultural and tourism industry, allowing traditional memories to continue and innovate in development.
For example, residents of Zhujiajiao Ancient Town have the custom of drinking morning tea, and the "First Tea House in Jiangnan" in the ancient town provides free morning tea for people over 60 years old. To adapt to their lifestyle habits, the supply of morning tea has been advanced to 3:30 am; Zhaojialou Ancient Town will develop a cultural academy and a comprehensive cultural experience hall, strengthen cooperation with Shangxi, conduct cultural interpretation and interaction, reshape the cultural scene of the school with modern methods, and develop a distinctive exhibition and performance cultural platform.
Introducing market operations to achieve differentiated development——
Explore the model of "government led, market operation, social capital investment, and private participation", and mobilize market enthusiasm by providing differentiated incentive policies to achieve differentiated development.
For example, the old brand restaurants, old brand retail, and specialty retail industries planned and developed in Zhaojialou Ancient Town aim to rebuild lost old brands, revive local traditional characteristics, and strengthen local historical and cultural experiences.
Focus on regional linkage and promote collaborative development——
On the basis of continuously optimizing spatial layout and exploring more cultural and tourism resources, we will strengthen the linkage development with surrounding areas, create a demonstration zone for cultural inheritance and innovative development, and continuously expand functions and enhance taste.
For example, Zhujiajiao Ancient Town integrates the advantages of a good ecological environment, as well as well-known scenic resources such as Chen Yun's former residence, Dongfang Green Boat, and Daguan Garden, to accelerate the integrated development of commerce, tourism, culture, sports, and agriculture towards the Yangtze River Delta; Zhaojialou Ancient Town plans to build an urban parent-child farm, develop a farming culture hotel, and promote agricultural culture.
"Thinking and Suggestions"
Based on investigation and research, it can be seen that the ancient town adheres to high standards and reflects high taste in the process of organic renewal, deeply explores the historical heritage of the ancient town, and enriches and expands cultural connotations. Next, we need to focus on details and carefully polish to make the charm and cultural characteristics of the ancient town more prominent and attractive. We will continuously explore new paths to expand dividend radiation, cultural inheritance and development, integration of business and tourism industries, and regional linkage development.
Adhere to the important concept of "People's City" and achieve win-win benefits for multiple stakeholders——
Taking safeguarding people's livelihoods as the foundation, focusing on comprehensive renovation of housing, supporting public facilities, and other aspects, further strengthening basic functions such as housing, safety, and service, enhancing diversified service concepts, fully utilizing the historical, cultural, natural environment and other characteristic resources of the ancient town and its surrounding areas, improving tourism, entertainment, leisure and other facilities, and allowing residents and tourists to enjoy more high-quality resources.
Guided by mutual benefit and symbiosis among all parties, through the integration of investment, design, construction, and operation, and through means such as ancient building restoration and revitalization, ecological environment improvement, ancient town spatial weaving, and industrial introduction and operation, we aim to expand the consumption scenarios of ancient towns and empower high-quality economic and social development.
Adhere to the equal emphasis on protection, excavation, and inheritance, and transform distinctive cultures into strong driving forces for cultural and tourism development——
With the goal of better inheriting regional culture, while maintaining the authenticity and integrity of cultural heritage, we pay attention to maintaining the original appearance of historical buildings and the diversity of ancient town landscapes, and maximize the preservation of the town's lifestyle, business formats, and customs.
Guided by the better development of cultural and tourism brands, we aim to cultivate new growth points in cultural and tourism consumption, achieve the goal of promoting tourism through culture and promoting culture through tourism, continuously enhance the momentum of cultural and tourism development, and drive regional coordinated development.