I. Location of Project

Yongxin County, Jian City, Jiangxi Province

II. Objective

The renewal of Yongxin Ancient City serves as an important exploration of CAUPDs work in urban renewal in recent years. Based on an in-depth understanding of the wisdom of the laws of city-building of Yongxin Ancient City and by a comparative analysis of the development paths of other ancient cities in China, CAUPD positions Yongxin Ancient City as a comprehensive ancient city with unique characteristics. Therefore, the goal was to gradually develop Yongxin Ancient City into a characteristic urban area integrating living, culture, tourism and commerce by focusing on improving public facilities and infrastructure, extending social networks, fully displaying the landscape and cultural resources, and stepping up the work in fostering cultural tourism and cultural industries.

III. Renewal Policies

First, the strategy of "restoring the mountain-water-city pattern". The restoration work was carried out guided by the principle of "Distant mountains can be admired from afar, and nearby mountains can be reached". By creating a coherent multi-tier water-friendly spaces, the ancient city and the waterfront area are organically "stitched" to realize the restoration of water-city pattern. By further opening up 12 corridors for mountain-admiring and water-channeling and the mountain-admiring corridors at the city hubs, the landscape corridors was constructed.

Second, the strategy of "restoring spatial network and styles and features". In the restoration of the ancient citys styles and features, we took the approach of gradual renewal and improvement while taking account of the time and situation. On the basis of detailed investigation and evaluation of each building, we formulated classified measures of style protection, restoration and upgrading by way of micro-renovation. And instead of applying retro-style treatment to modern buildings, we renovated the façade according to local conditions, so as to keep intact the styles and features of the ancient city. In the construction of micro-space, we built characteristic open spaces in light of important historic buildings and landmarks, and designed pocket gardens by making full use of such space as street corners, mouth of alleys, and vacant land next to residential buildings.

Third, the strategy of "special functions and vitality boost". We made arrangement for the following functional layout with uniqueness: the Belt of Folk Culture Experience, the Belt of Memory of Ancient City, the Belt of Red Culture and the Waterfront Belt of Leisure and Recreation along the South Bank. In developing and facilitating various types of operation including red culture, intangible cultural heritage display, art experience, traditional food, homestay, etc. we put quality above everything else in the renewal of Yongxin. Using traditional streets, waterfront green-ways, landscape corridors, etc. as the carrier, we designed several cultural experience paths to connect the ancient city with the cultural resources in its surrounding area, forming a cultural touring line with diverse forms and rich stories.