Cangqiao Zhi Street, Shaoxing: Using “embroidery skills” to achieve the integration of ancient city protection and modern life

CCTV News Client News (News Network): Shaoxing, Zhejiang, with a history of more than 2,500 years, is a veritable "museum without walls." In the protection of ancient cities, how to balance historical features and modern life? There is a historical district in Shaoxing, Cangqiao Zhijie, which is only 1.5 kilometers long. After more than 20 years of exploration, it has developed a protection path that "retains people, things and life".

With its white walls, black roof tiles, and awning boats passing by, Shaoxing Cangqiao Straight Street still retains the ancient charm of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Excellence Award. But turn the time back to the end of the 20th century, and it's a different story.

Not only does the old street have a poor environment, but most of the houses are of wooden structure, with aging pipelines and numerous safety hazards. In 2001, Cangqiao Zhi Street started a conservation and renovation project. During the renovation process, the local area did not simply move residents out for commercial development, but retained residents and improved people's livelihood.

Shaoxing used "embroidery skills" and refused to demolish and build large-scale buildings, but focused on the subtleties. From unifying and arranging exposed wires to repairing doors and clearing pipes, this model of "micro-renovation and fine improvement", although time-consuming and labor-intensive, mobilizes the enthusiasm of residents to participate in protection and retains the historical authenticity, spatial integrity and continuity of life of the old street to the greatest extent. Today, there are still more than 800 original residents in Cangqiao Street.

The once scattered and idle old Taimen has now been transformed into an art museum and intangible cultural heritage workshop, constantly enhancing the cultural appeal of the historical district.

While retaining its historical context, Shaoxing has also launched a special policy for "Youth Makers in the Ancient City" to attract more and more young people to start businesses here through rent reduction and exemption, entrepreneurship guidance and other measures.

From "micro-renovation" to retain the original residents, to "introducing makers" to activate new business formats, in Shaoxing's Cangqiao Zhi Street, people use "embroidery skills" to retain the fireworks and enhance the cultural flavor, achieving the integration of the ancient city style and modern life.

Source: CCTV News Client