Water towns: conservation and sustainable development

Two recent bilateral projects we have undertaken with Tongji University, on Tongli, and Peking University had given us the opportunity to start studying some of the water towns of South East China; more specifically the one in the vicinity of Shanghai. The case studies considered comprise historic cities like Shuzhou and Wu Zhen, small water towns like Tongli and Zhoujiajiao. The research done reveals mainly three approaches with regard to the conservation and valorisation of these areas: 1)a conservation process involving public participation and therefore public-private investments (Tongli and Zhoujiajiao); 2)a development process based on a company scheme (public and/or private investment) for the conservation and valorisation of the historic area after the dislocation of all residents (Wu Zhen west part); 3)a valorisation process for tourist purposes with only limited conservation interests (Qibao). The similarities of these historic water towns both in the conservation/development approach used and in their physical, functional and social characteristics poses a number of interesting questions that this paper would like to address with the aim to promote a more broad comparative research in relation also to the Grand Canal water towns and ancient Water Cities.