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Historical Preservation, Responsible Tourism and Urban Development in Xi'an, China
Overview
China is experiencing unprecedented rates of economic growth and urbanization, and the impact reaches out to even the remotest regions of the country. In accordance with the national planning strategy to divert the focus from coastal cities and further develop the Western Regions, Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province and also a leading city in the northwest part of China, strives to achieve a higher level of economic prosperity. As part of the endeavor, the local government acknowledges a promising potential in accelerating the tourism industry, taking full advantage of its rich historic resources. Having served as the capital for 13 dynasties lasting more than a thousand years, the whole city is a Cultural Museum.
GRC is taking the initiative in a new project on Xi'an as a livable city, with a geographical focus on the imperial palace site from the Han Dynasty (206 B.C- 8 A.D) where the remaining walls and ruins from the ancient dynasty cover a vast area of 36 km2. In partnership with the Northwest University (Xibei Daxue) Center for Preservation of Historic Heritages in Xi'an and the National Taiwan University (NTU) Institute of Building and Planning in Taipei, the project is committed to developing sound planning strategies for this extraordinary site. It calls for considerable finesse as the dynamics of urbanization, preservation and local living culture conflict and seem to overwhelm one another. Strategic thinking toward place-making can be a useful framework, minimizing degrading effects of place-breaking, its evil twin. Going beyond the immediate condition of the site, a critical analysis of the social and cultural context of the broader region can provide a solid ground to reach practical suggestions for the local development policy.
In January 2006, a one-week seminar was held between UH and NTU with intensive academic exchanges and site visits in Honolulu. Faculty from Department of Urban and Regional Planning and School of Tourism Industry Management also joined the seminar, enhancing the understanding of the project and further guiding the direction. In March 2006, a follow-up seminar was scheduled in both Taipei and Xi'an.
Layout of palaces in project site
Historic Preservationion in a Livable City: International Perspective on the Urban Transition, Responsible Tourism and World Heritage Designation for the Han Chang'an Site, Xi'an, China (2006)
By Mike Douglass, Mivelia Andika, Bandana Bhattari, Kat Burr, Soo Sun Choe, Craig Guzinsky, Chihiro Ishii, Lauren Hallonquist, Troy Knott, Haina Lee, Rosalyn
Summary Report
In English PDF-868KB
In Chinese (Simplified) PDF-1.7MB
Full Report
Report Cover, Contents and List of Tables and Figures PDF-180KB
Chapter 1. Overview PDF-32KB
Chapter 2. Xi'an in Chinese History PDF-1.6MB
Chapter 3. Xi'an in China's Urban Transition PDF-1.2MB
Chapter 4. Responsible Tourism in Xi'an PDF-1.3MB
Chapter 5. UNESCO World Heritage Designation and Han Chang'an Site PDF-888KB
Chapter 6. Synthesis PDF-104KB
Bibliography PDF-44KB
Appendices PDF-4.8MB
Participants from NTU and UHM
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