- Coordinating Strategy of Preserving the Local Identity during the Rapid Urbanization in China: Case Study of Three Towns in the South of Kunshan   612 kb by    Yang, Zhi & Hu , Haibo & Wang, Haiyong | seu2008@126.com    Short Outline This paper is aimed at exploring how to preserve the local identity as well as achieve the economic development during rapid urbanization. By the method of comparative analysis and evaluation, the coordinating strategy in historical conservation redevelopment, integrating space and policymaking has been proved to be effective. Abstract Kunshan, the top level of comprehensive strength among Chinese counties, is undergoing tremendous changes in economic development and urbanization. In the south of Kunshan, there are three national historic towns (Zhouzhuang, Jinxi and Qiandeng) in the range of less than 300 square kilometers, which is very rarely in china. Although Kunshan is noted for its rapid economic growth, the three towns develop slower than the others because of more strict environmental constraints and historic preservation. Despite of the background that many regions have lost the identity during the rapid urbanization in china, the three towns should take the road of characteristic development which depends on the basis of exclusive local culture and ecological resource instead of massive manufacturing industry. This paper is aimed at finding out that how to preserve the local identity as well as achieve the economic development during the rapid urbanization. Firstly, the method of comparative analysis and evaluation is designed to value what is worthy of preservation. Cultural features are protected by the collaboration of three towns. At the same time, every town is encouraged to shape its own identity, not only in the aspect of physical space but also in the aspect of intangible cultural heritage. Secondly, synthesizing agriculture, handicraft and tourism, instead of manufacturing industry, helps to contribute a sustainable society. As a catalyst for agriculture and service sector development, tourism also plays an important role in the aspects of culture redevelopment and increasing people's income. Thirdly, coordinating the old towns and new towns on the basis of watery fundament formulates the local morphology in order to balance the ecology, development and society. Tourism system is shaped by the means of integrating many kinds of traditional watery villages with transport. Last, policymaking in the range of whole county helps to bridge the gap of economic development among the three towns and the others. Ecological and cultural subsidies help the three towns to preserve the local identity. Training policy is helpful to the farmers and foreign workers. Moreover, a coordinating agency is put on the agenda. All in all, the coordinating strategy in the aspects of historical conservation, industrial development, integrating space and policymaking is very useful to the three towns which aim at characteristic development. Furthermore, the coordinating strategy has a great deal of significance on the future development of the similar regions which are full of cultural and ecological resources in order to preserve the local identity during the rapid urbanization. Keywords Case Study presented on the ISOCARP Congress 2013: Frontiers of Planning - Evolving and declining models of city planning practice   Click to open the full paper as pdf document   Click to send an email to the author(s) of this paper