Publications
Cultural communication and diversity along the Grand Canal of China: a case study of folk songs in intangible cultural heritage
Research on the Grand Canal reveals that folk songs along its route exhibit a distinct spatial distribution pattern characterized by 'distribution along the river, two cores and two belts.' This pattern is influenced significantly by natural factors such as water systems and landforms, as well as regional cultural elements. Unlike mountainous areas in western China, the Grand Canal basin's economic development and population mobility contribute to a diversified yet unified musical culture. The study, combining musicology, geography, sociology, and spatial analysis, underscores the importance of integrating folk songs into local social and economic activities for their preservation and development.
Spatio-Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Tourism Response in the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal Basin in China
Research reveals significant spatial and temporal variations in intangible cultural heritage (ICH) along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal, with distinct patterns between northern and southern regions. Using advanced geospatial analysis, including kernel density estimation and standard deviation ellipse modeling, the study identified directional trends and shifting centers of gravity for ICH distribution. Key drivers include natural geography, socioeconomic factors, and policy environments, while a strong positive correlation was found between ICH resources and tourism development. This finding underscores the potential for heritage-led tourism planning in the canal basin.
Spatial Variation and Its Local Influencing Factors of Intangible Cultural Heritage Development along the Grand Canal in China
Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) along China's Grand Canal exhibits significant spatial variation, primarily concentrated at the northern and southern ends. Socioeconomic factors influence ICH distribution, but local geographic environments also play a crucial role in its formation and development. The study employed GIS spatial analysis and geodetector statistical methods to analyze ICH variations across different categories and identify influencing factors. These findings provide valuable insights for systematic regeneration and utilization of ICH resources along the Grand Canal.
Linking Ecosystem Service and MSPA to Construct Landscape Ecological Network of the Huaiyang Section of the Grand Canal
A significant decline in ecosystem services along the Huaiyang Section of the Grand Canal from 1990 to 2018 highlights the urgent need for ecological restoration and protection. The study, using advanced models like MSPA, minimum cumulative resistance (MCR), and gravity model, identified 12 key ecological source patches totaling 2007.06 km² and mapped a network of 373.84 km of ecological corridors, with optimal widths of 200–400 m. The research also pinpointed 29 critical ecological breakpoints for restoration, emphasizing the severe impact of land-use changes (overlapping at 99% with ecosystem service degradation areas). This work provides a blueprint for optimizing ecological space and formulating protection plans, serving as a model for other sections of the Grand Canal.
Rise and Fall of the Grand Canal in the Ancient Kaifeng City of China: Role of the Grand Canal and Water Supply in Urban and Regional Development
The Grand Canal, a pivotal transportation artery in ancient China, significantly influenced the rise and fall of Kaifeng during the Northern Song Dynasty. Positioned at the canal's center, Kaifeng flourished as a global metropolis, driven by its strategic location that facilitated political, military, and economic exchanges between northern and southern regions. This period, dubbed 'the canal-centered era,' witnessed a transportation revolution, spurring commercial growth, urbanization, and agricultural advancements. However, the shift of the political center southward during the Yuan Dynasty altered the canal's route, diminishing Kaifeng's connectivity value and leading to its gradual decline by the Qing Dynasty. The study highlights the profound impact of water infrastructure on urban and regional development, offering insights relevant to contemporary sustainable development challenges.
Tourism value assessment of linear cultural heritage: the case of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal in China
A new framework for assessing tourism value in linear cultural heritage (LCH) reveals that resource richness is the dominant factor, while natural environment and industrial economy serve as critical external supports. Using the 1800 km-long Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canalas a case study, researchers developed an R–N–I evaluation system combining Delphi method, analytical hierarchy process, and entropy analysis to quantify tourism value across 22 cities along the canal. The findings classify tourism potential into four distinct types: 'high-value imbalance type', 'key breakthrough type', 'comprehensive strengthening type', and 'low-value restriction type'. This approach provides actionable insights for sustainable development and policy-making in LCH tourism, balancing resource utilization with environmental and economic considerations.
The making of the Grand Canal in China: beyond knowledge and power
The inscription of the Grand Canal of China on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014 was not a straightforward process dictated solely by state power. Instead, it involved complex negotiations among diverse human and non-human factors, including state authorities, local bureaus, hydraulic projects, archaeological findings, and built environments. This study reveals that the final nomination dossier emerged from compromises among these varied agencies, challenging conventional critiques of World Heritage processes. By employing an actor-network approach, the research highlights a dynamic web of relationships co-produced by competing forces and interests, offering new insights into the interplay between heritage significance and state power.
Landsenses ecological planning for the Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal
A novel approach to urban planning, termed 'landsenses ecology,' integrates human sensory experiences into ecological design. This study demonstrates its application for the Xianghe Segment of China's Grand Canal (XSCGC), addressing challenges in incorporating residents' sensory data—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch—into sustainable development. By leveraging mixed-marching data and IoT technologies, the research bridges traditional urban planning gaps, which often overlook environmental quality and human welfare. The framework aims to enhance ecological planning by systematically analyzing both natural and human factors, offering a blueprint for future urban forms that prioritize sensory-rich environments.
Promoting ecosystem services through ecological planning in the Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal
Ecological planning can significantly enhance ecosystem services (ES) and revitalize historic landscapes, as demonstrated by a 67% increase in ES following its implementation along the Xianghe Segment of China’s Grand Canal. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a vital transportation artery, now suffers from degraded water quality due to wastewater disposal. The study applied modern ecological theory to redesign the waterfront landscape, establish wetlands, and improve environmental governance, shifting the dominance of ES from regulating and supporting services to cultural and regulating ones. These measures not only restored historic landscapes but also provided a framework for sustainable heritage management, offering a practical model for balancing ecological renewal with cultural preservation.
Urbanization Impairs Surface Water Quality: Eutrophication and Metal Stress in the Grand Canal of China
Rapid urbanization significantly degrades surface water quality along the Grand Canal of China, with urban sections showing elevated levels of eutrophic nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as metals that, while within national standards, may still pose risks to aquatic life according to stricter U.S. EPA criteria. The study found a strong correlation between urbanization levels and water quality parameters, particularly electrical conductivity, nutrients, and metals, with industrial activities contributing to metal loadings. These findings highlight the urgent need for mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable urban development along this historic site.
Animations, Games, and Virtual Reality for the Jing-Hang Grand Canal
A groundbreaking approach to preserving and presenting the Jing-Hang Grand Canal, one of China's most significant cultural heritage sites, has been developed using animations, computer games, and virtual reality (VR). This method leverages advanced computer graphics techniques to create immersive digital experiences that engage both researchers and the public. The study demonstrates how VR can be effectively employed in heritage preservation, building on previous applications such as a real museum in Ename, Belgium, and a virtual Olympics museum. By integrating these technologies, the research offers a novel way to restore and showcase historical sites, enhancing both educational and cultural engagement.
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