2001 — Positioning Our City (Part 4)
4. Not entirely off-topic remarks. (1) Once urban planning and positioning are determined... Let me first give two examples. First, St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, known as "Europe's most beautiful living room," began construction in the 10th century AD and was basically completed only in the 16th century, spanning several centuries, with builders from generation to generation
This article has been compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · City Overview section). Some administrative divisions, population, socioeconomic data, and policy information may be outdated and are for reference only; for the latest situation, please refer to official releases by the local government and scenic areas.
IV. Words that are not beside the point.
(1) Once urban planning and positioning are determined...
Let me first give two examples. First, St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, is called "the most beautiful drawing room in Europe." Its construction began in the 10th century AD and was basically completed only in the 16th century, spanning several centuries. Generation after generation of builders finally created a harmonious and unified artistic peak. Second, in 1956, the Sydney Opera House scheme, selected through a worldwide tender, officially began construction. With the support of three successive Labor governments, it was finally completed ten years later and was called the Eighth Wonder of the World. Sydney also leaped from a second-rate city into the ranks of first-rate cities because of it.
The author hopes to express this idea through these examples: once urban planning and positioning are determined, the key lies in consistent implementation and execution; otherwise, no matter how good the planning and positioning are, they will remain a mere scrap of paper—either shelved high away or distorted—and the consequences can be imagined.
(2) It is probably difficult to do urban planning well by relying on planning departments alone.
According to the comprehensive design principles proposed by Mr. Liu Jiali, the complexity and diversity of landscape elements determine the multidisciplinary nature of achieving ideal landscape ecological design. In the past, our urban planning was generally completed by architectural and urban planning departments; now, to achieve the goal of sustainable urban development and to build a coordinated, diverse material environmental space with distinctive characteristics, it is necessary to have extensive participation and cooperation from natural sciences, social sciences, various types of professionals studying urban development, and all sectors of society. Take familiarity with local culture as an example: planning experts may not understand it as thoroughly as folk-custom and ethnic specialists who specifically study local culture.
Then, when the School of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tsinghua University, which is responsible for compiling our city's urban plan, begins revision, could it consider absorbing experts, scholars, and people of insight from related fields to participate?
(3) Urban planning must arouse public participation.
In the history of the evolution of modern urban planning thought, there are four landmark declarations or charters: the Athens Charter (1933), the Charter of Machu Picchu (1977), the Warsaw Declaration (1981), and the Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21 (1992). Among them, the Charter of Machu Picchu and the Warsaw Declaration prominently emphasize public participation in urban planning and propose that "citizens' participation in the urban development process should be recognized as a basic right," requiring that in the planning process the broad urban citizenry, especially citizens affected by the content of the plan, participate in the formulation and discussion of the plan, and that planning departments listen to all kinds of opinions and reflect them as much as possible in planning decisions. Through the participation of the broad citizenry, the needs and rights of all sides can be fully reflected, and the public's sense of responsibility for plan implementation can be aroused. Today, public participation in the urban planning process has become an important part of urban planning legislation and systems in many countries.
Therefore, should this lesson be made up in the formulation of our urban plan?