On the Necessity and Significance of Urban Water Culture Construction

Chen Xingru

(Institute of Hydraulics, China Academy of Water Resources and Hydropower Research)

Since the 21st century, culture has received unprecedented attention and has become an integral part of comprehensive national strength. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 16th CPC Central Committee clearly pointed out: "We should adhere to the guiding position of Marxism in the ideological field, constantly improve the ability to build advanced socialist culture, strengthen the theoretical research and construction of Marxism, deepen the reform of the cultural system, and firmly grasp the direction of public opinion ..." Therefore, in China in the 21st century, while achieving economic development and social stability, cultural construction has been put on the important agenda, which will become the current and future promotion of China's comprehensive national strength, population quality and socialist spiritual civilization.

1. Necessity of putting forward urban water culture

Because of the characteristics of dense population and relatively concentrated politics, economy and culture, the urban water conservancy construction is important and urgent, especially under the condition that the current situation of water resources in China is in contradiction with the change of people's demand for water resources functions, urban water conservancy work has been given a more arduous mission. The purpose of urban water conservancy construction is to solve the relationship among water resources, population, economy and environment in the city, to ensure the demand for water resources by all water elements in the city, and to coordinate the water use relationship among all water elements, so as to finally form a city with social stability, efficient economic development, beautiful environment and suitable human settlements. Therefore, urban water conservancy is of great significance to the current and future development of our country.

Urban water conservancy construction has the characteristics of large population, dense personnel and relatively high quality of personnel, and its work nature is different from that of rural water conservancy. Urban residents can not only meet the basic functions of human survival, such as basic flood drainage and water supply guarantee, but also have spiritual and psychological pleasure functions. As a result, urban water landscape, ecological system restoration, water environment improvement and water culture construction have been paid more and more attention and become one of the important contents of urban water conservancy work at present and in the future. Urban water conservancy work should not only shoulder the responsibility of "planning and using water", but also deeply excavate the nature, connotation, history and cultural connotation of water and apply it to people's sensory field of vision, which is the basic work content of water culture construction. Throughout the history of urban development in China, there are rich water cultures, which are not only an important part of our national culture, but also an important part of our water conservancy system.

as an important member of China's long-standing civilization treasure house, urban water culture has been paid more and more attention by people today with the increasing social and spiritual civilization, and it has become an essential content for human spiritual recreation and reminiscing about the past. As a form of water culture, it has special functions such as improving the cultural heritage of water conservancy projects, improving the image of cities, meeting the cultural needs of urban residents, and promoting people's awareness of love the water and water conservation, and has been gradually paid attention to by urban water conservancy workers and applied to engineering construction.

second, the definition of urban water culture

urban water culture is the sum total of various cultural phenomena produced in the process of people dealing with water in urban areas.

iii. the connotation of urban water culture

urban water culture is an important part of both water culture and urban culture. Because urban water culture has the closest relationship with human production and life, urban water culture is the most direct reflection of human production and life. Urban water affairs activities include not only the activities that people create material wealth by managing, developing, utilizing, researching, allocating, saving, managing and protecting water, but also the activities that people create spiritual wealth by understanding, appreciating, praising and publicizing water. Therefore, the connotation of urban water culture includes not only various water control principles, policies, laws and regulations, but also various cultural education, technology, folklore, fairy tales, poems and songs, and literary works. In addition, the public's psychology, behavior and values related to water are all important components of urban water culture.

iv. the origin of the formation of water culture in ancient cities [1]

(1) the emperor's thought of longing for the fairyland, regarding water as a fairy liquid.

(2) Confucian philosophy, regarding water as a virtue, is the beginning of the five elements.

(3) literature and art worship water, poets and painters love water, and publicize "the wise enjoy water".

(4) The religious geomantic thought holds that water can stop the wind and protect people and wealth.

(5) Economic and practical thinking, which holds that water is the source of all things and the root of all trees.

(6) traditional ideas of water conservancy projects, such as Dayu water conservancy project and Dujiangyan water conservancy project.

V. Types of cities divided by urban water culture

According to the forms of urban water culture, they can be roughly divided into the following types:

(1) Royal cities. Reflect the virtue and blessing of water culture, which has great boldness of vision, such as Beijing, Chengde and Nanjing. [1]

(2) Literati landscape-based rational city. Reflect the fine, perfect, vivid, poetic and rational water culture, such as Hangzhou (West Lake, Qiantang River, Grand Canal), Yueyang and Yangzhou. [1]

(3) Folk practical cities. Reflect practical and rich ethnic local characteristics and folk customs, such as Suzhou (river bridges in the city, Grand Canal, Hanshan Temple, Tielingguan, Shantang River outside Changmen, Taihu Lake and Shihu Lake) and Jinan (Daming Lake, with many springs, canals and pools). [1]

VI. Typical cities with outstanding water culture

(1) Nanjing, a royal city

Its water surface layout is better than Zhenjiang and Suzhou, because there are mountains around it and Xuanwu Lake in the middle, which plays a great role in the location of the capital. In the middle of the lake, three islands were built in the Southern Dynasties, and the city was mainly decorated with lakes. Nanjing is also influenced by two Qinhuai rivers in the south, and the lake in the north and the river in the south form a confrontation situation; Among them, the problem of flood waterlogging in the north cannot be solved. Therefore, in the Ming Dynasty, the capital moved eastward, and Miyagi was built in Zijin Mountain and Fuguishan. Although it was higher than Xuanwu Lake, the problem of waterlogging could not be fundamentally solved. Qinhuai River is a very lively place, and the axis from Xuanwu Lake to Qinhuai River is always an unshakable position of the capital. After the Ming Dynasty, the layout of Nanjing City was stable, and the main commercial areas were always on both sides of the Qinhuai River in the south. Qinhuai River was the only waterway to communicate with the Yangtze River, and it was also a river for flood discharge, and its water culture was also concentrated here. The above shows that the layout of water bodies in urban planning has both a reasonable side and special needs in cultural concepts to meet the needs of emperors for cultural concepts such as the idea of immortals in water bodies. [1]

(2) Hangzhou-a literati landscape city

The urban pattern developed with water culture as the center was formed in the heyday of the Southern Song Dynasty, which can be broken down into the following important components (Figure 1):

Water body layout centered on the West Lake:

One center: West Lake, and several auxiliary lakes: Lihu, Yuehu and Xili Lake.

Three long dikes: Baishadi, Su Causeway and Yang Gongdi;

Three islands and one pier: Gushan Island, Huxin Pavilion, Yingzhou and Ruan Gongdun;

fig. 1 landscape structure map of Hangzhou [1]

Three ponds: artificial stone pagoda ponds-Sanquan Yinyue.

Corresponding urban layout:

One city (Lin 'an City): 13 city gates and towers (most importantly, Qingbo Gate and Wangjiangmen Gate near the West Lake);

a palace: on the Wu Shan;

Three main pagodas: Baota, Leifeng Pagoda by the West Lake and Pagoda of Six Harmonies by the Qiantang River;

Three main temples: Lingyin Temple, Jingci Temple Temple and Yue Temple are the earliest famous temples;

Two main peaks: Nanfeng and north peak.

Attached literature, folk customs and products:

Two most famous folk legends: the legend of White Snake and the legend of Jigong Living Buddha;

One of the most famous historical figures: Yue Fei, whose memorial temple is located near the West Lake;

One of the most famous restaurants: Louwailou;

One of the most famous poems: The Rain after Drinking Chu Qing on the Lake by Su Shi in the Northern Song Dynasty.

(3) Suzhou-a folk and practical city

Suzhou is a typical representative of many water cities in China. It has been built for more than 2,5 years, but its site remains unchanged, which has to be attributed to the rational planning of the water system by the urban builders. The urban characteristics of Suzhou are as follows:

(1) The double chessboard urban pattern of "parallel rivers and roads".

(2) the backbone water system of "three horizontals, three verticals and one ring".

(3) Numerous classical gardens and historic sites.

(4) Architectural style with strong local characteristics.

Suzhou is rich in water culture, and there are many records about Suzhou in history. Bai Juyi has a poem entitled "Wandering on the Third Day of the First Month", which describes the scenery of Suzhou Watertown: "The orioles at the entrance of the oriole want to talk, and the ice at the head of the Wuqie River wants to sell. Green waves, east, west, north and south waters, and Honglan 39 Bridge. Yuanyang rippled with wings, and willows crossed by thousands. I would like to ask if the spring breeze will come sooner or later, only from the day before to the present. " Another example is Du Xunhe's poem "Send someone to visit Wu": "When you meet in Gusu, people are resting on the river, and there are few idle places in the ancient palace, and there are many bridges in the water lane. The night market is full of water chestnut sounds, boats in the river, full of exquisite silk. I know that I have not slept for a month, and I am homesick for fishing songs. " There are many similar words, basically describing the landscape characteristics and strong cultural atmosphere of Suzhou Watertown, as well as the lively and extraordinary economic prosperity.

(4) Jinan-a folk and practical city [1]

The layout of water culture in Jinan is dominated by Daming Lake. There are mountains in the south and low-lying land in the north. There are many springs on the plain between the mountains and the low-lying land. Spring water flows northward and needs to be collected. More importantly, floods in southern mountainous areas need to pass through plains and cities, and cities also need drainage. Therefore, some water is stopped in the north of the city, which can not only enjoy the scenery, but also store water and prevent floods. Build a gate in the north and build a lake in the low-lying part; After the water system is located in the north, the traffic in the south can also be solved, thus forming an urban landscape of "one city with mountains and half a city lake" and "every spring water, every household hangs on the trees". In the process of dealing with water for a long time, the people of Jinan have produced many historical allusions, the most famous of which is the seventy-two springs in Jinan. Almost every spring has a historical allusions, a legend and a story (Figure 2).

fig. 2 relationship between Jinan mountain spring and city [1]

VII. Benefits of urban water culture construction for the city

(1) Urban water culture is a written record of advanced water control ideas and ideas of ancient working people in the process of dealing with water, and it is a reflection of ancestors' effective use of nature, active transformation of nature and harmony with nature. Therefore, strengthening the construction of urban water culture in the new period has great practical and far-reaching historical significance for the protection of urban historical and cultural heritage, the cultivation of citizens' awareness of love the water, water conservation and water conservation, and the stimulation of work enthusiasm.

(2) With the development of transportation and communication and the continuous improvement of spiritual civilization, businessmen pay more and more attention to the living environment when choosing investment places. Cities with rich cultural water landscapes and waterscape gardens are conducive to attracting more businessmen to invest; People pay more attention to the beautiful surrounding environment when they buy houses and office buildings, which can promote the development of real estate and related industries. Therefore, strengthening urban water culture construction can promote the development of urban economy. The development of urban economy guarantees the financing of urban waterfront landscape and cultural reconstruction, thus forming a virtuous circle between urban landscape, cultural construction and urban economy.

(3) It can promote the construction of a water-saving society. Good culture can inspire, urge and educate people. China's ancient and long-standing civilization is the crystallization of our people's labor and wisdom, the eulogy and praise of human beings on water in our history, and the record and witness of the harmonious relationship between man and nature. The application of excellent water culture in today's era can also play an important role in strengthening urban residents' awareness of water conservation and love the water.

(4) It can enhance the city image and increase the city connotation. The quality of urban infrastructure and other hardware facilities is essential to improve the image of the city, but in a sense, water culture can play an irreplaceable role in other urban hardware facilities, such as increasing the inner temperament and cultural heritage of the city, meeting the needs of people's spiritual and cultural life and promoting the improvement of social atmosphere. I.M. Pei, a famous architect, once commented on Suzhou, saying that "the beauty of Suzhou lies in water, but architecture is second." The ancients also had a poem explaining the importance of cultural construction to the city. "Although the mountains and rivers are good, they also rely on articles to help each other." With the change of time and space, the hardware facilities of the city are worn out or damaged. Only the connotation of the city can cross time and space and has eternal charm.

to sum up, the construction of urban water culture plays an important role in forming a good relationship between people and water, protecting urban history and culture, promoting urban economy and enhancing urban image. Therefore, the construction of urban water culture is an important cause related to urban construction, urban economy and urban development.

VIII. Significance of urban water culture construction

(1) It helps to guide the development of the relationship between people and water in China in a harmonious direction. As a special form of culture, water culture is a sublimation and generalization of the relationship between a country, a nation and water. Therefore, strengthening the construction of water culture under the current conditions will help our people to strengthen their understanding of the history of the relationship between man and water, increase their awareness of water crisis, cultivate the good habits of love the water, protect and save water, continue China's long and excellent water culture, actively explore the working methods and methods of harmonious relationship between man and water under the current historical conditions, and provide spiritual motivation and intellectual support for the establishment of a harmonious society between man and water in the new period.

(2) It is helpful to strengthen the entertainment and leisure effect of urban water landscape. At present, the idea of water conservancy work is changing from simple engineering construction to harmonious coexistence between man and nature. As a result, the construction of water conservancy landscape and water culture is becoming a new idea and development trend of water conservancy work at present and in the future. The construction of urban water landscape is to change the previous practice that water conservancy projects mainly focus on engineering construction, ignoring its influence on the surrounding environment and people's spirit, and give consideration to practicality and beauty while carrying out water conservancy construction. Engineering measures and non-engineering measures go hand in hand, so that the water landscape construction not only has the appearance of landscape beauty, but also does not lose cultural connotation and historical accumulation; It not only ensures the life safety of the broad masses of people, but also relaxes the body and mind, and at the same time plays a role in promoting the history of urban water and strengthening the harmony between people and water. The history of human beings is the history of human beings constantly dealing with water. The long history and culture of our country determine the richness of the cultural heritage of rivers, lakes and other waters in our country. Every river and lake has a history, an allusion and a legend. Therefore, the organic integration of cultural heritage into urban river landscape is helpful to the excavation of landscape connotation and the long-term vitality of landscape. In addition, intangible water cultural assets are embodied in tangible landscape forms, which is helpful to the promotion of water culture.

(3) It is helpful to the promotion of urban spiritual civilization. Culture is the condensation of China's splendid civilization, and water is closely related to people's life and production. Therefore, the construction of water culture is bound to have an impact on the ideology of urban residents. Therefore, strengthening the publicity and education of urban water culture will inevitably arouse the voices of the broad masses of the people and get their positive response. The interaction between urban residents and urban water culture will certainly promote the spiritual civilization of the city and lay the foundation for the city to establish a good and harmonious relationship between people and water.

(4) It is helpful for China's water conservancy to move towards sustainable development. Water problem is becoming one of the main problems restricting China's economic development at present and in the future. Water conservancy work has different priorities in different social development periods. Only by changing the thinking of work in time can we make our work always new and keep pace with the development of the times. Water conservancy as a national