Consideration on urban water culture construction——a case study of Guangzhou
CHEN Wenlong
YAO Hanzhong
Abstract：Urban water culture,as a unique cultural phenomenon where cities and water coexist and intertwine,plays a positive and far-reaching role in preserving the roots of civilization,inheriting water management wisdom,empowering economic development,elevating urban quality,and fostering consensus on harmonious development between cities and water.This study delves into the definition and characteristics of urban water culture:It encompasses the material and spiritual achievements forged through long-term human-water interactions during the formation and evolution of cities,combining the commonalities of water culture,urbanization,and regional distinctiveness.Guangzhou,with its hydrological layout of"three rivers converging and eight mouths reaching the sea",has accumulated profound water cultural heritage as a millennia-old water city.The research systematically traces the historical evolution of Guangzhou's water culture and water management practices,identifying three core traits:"affection for water and love for life,openness and inclusiveness,and the integration of city and water".It also conducts an in-depth analysis of the current challenges in Guangzhou's water culture development,pinpointing the prominent contradiction between"the sedimentation of high-quality genes of a millennia-old water city"and"the insufficient brand recognition of a contemporary water city".Centering on the construction goals of"highlighting Guangfu water charm and achieving city-water integration",the study proposes pathways such as protecting,restoring,and revitalizing material carriers,reshaping dissemination systems,and strengthening public water culture identity.The research findings can serve as a reference for the inheritance and development of Guangzhou's water culture,while also providing a"Guangzhou case"that combines historical depth and contemporary vitality for the inheritance and innovation of water culture in megacities.
Keywords：water cultureurban water cultureurban cultureGuangzhou's water culturecultural constructionintegration of city and waterinheritance and innovation
Publication Date：2025-11-30
Online Publishing Date：2025-12-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 66-72 )