Creating Territorial Space with More Natural and Cultural Values: A Holistic Approach

ZHANG Bing,LUO Yan,BAI Yang

For centuries,the enduring ecological view of nature and the literati's contemplation of natural landscapes have embodied Chinese attitudes towards nature and the advocacy for harmonious coexistence between human and nature.These beliefs have become Chinese cultural genes and intrinsic virtues,influencing contemporary social practices in nature conservation and cultural preservation.

With the development and modernization of national governance capabilities and systems,especially since the ＂integration of multiple plans＂,the concepts of integrated governance and systematic governance have been further emphasized.It is crucial to form a synergy between nature conservation and cultural preservation in order to fully showcase the unique charm of China's territory.In the spatial planning,when faced with a significant overlap of natural and cultural elements at the land use and spatial levels,what concepts and strategies should be employed to achieve this goal?

This article argues that the integration of nature conservation and cultural preservation is an inevitable direction for shaping a national territory with improvement of natural and cultural value.The article reviews the evolution direction of institutional development and theoretical advancements in protection systems over the past 40 years of reform and opening up.It also analyzes the practical characteristics in the international spatial planning to provide a detailed discussion of strategies and measures for multi-domain efforts.

1 Research Progress of the Past 40 Years of Reform and Opening up

1.1 Institutional construction of nature conservation and cultural preservation

Whether it is the institution of scenic areas or that of historical and cultural cities,their initial intentions and subsequent policy goals have undergone a process of ＂separation＂ and＂integration＂ in terms of the relationship between nature and culture.＂Separation＂ emphasizes the differences between the two domains of nature conservation and cultural preservation,while＂integration＂ emphasizes the recognition of the professional practices in protection planning and the academic propositions in related research fields,fundamentally based on the inherent relationship between nature and culture.The term ＂scenic spots＂ dedicatedly expresses the unique way in which the Chinese people shape and experience the relationship between natural landscapes and cultural heritage.In practice,conservation workers in scenic areas may not focus extensively on methods of preserving cultural heritage,but the protection of natural environments and landscape resources does not exclude their intrinsic cultural significance.By appreciating and protecting the buildings and external environments distributed among the landscapes,a beautiful state of natural humanization is revealed.

1.2 Research progress related to nature conservation and cultural preservation

The separation and integration in protection systems influence the development direction of professional theories and technologies.In research related to nature conservation,to clearly determine the country's important natural conservation objects,research achievements from various related disciplines are integrated,focusing on priority protection of ecosystems,key protected species of plants and animals,significant natural relics and landscape areas,as well as areas of significant ecological system services.Different management departments design various management systems,defining different types of protected areas.For example,the protection of national aquatic genetic resources,protection of native habitats of agricultural wildlife,protection of livestock and poultry heritage resources,etc.,guide research efforts to delve into different specific fields.

The systematic thinking in regional development and the overall layout of economic,political,cultural,social,and ecological civilization,which are embodied in the concept of ＂Five-in-One＂,will further promote the long-term development of the professional field in the theoretical construction and technological exploration of the integration of nature and culture.

2 International Experiences

Natural heritage and cultural heritage are unique resources that have been accumulated and inherited throughout the long history of mankind.They serve as bridges connecting ancient civilizations,the present,and the future.The overall protection of natural and cultural heritage is a global consensus and common agenda.Enhancing the natural and cultural value of the national territory is a value cherished by many countries as part of their national strategies.Building a beautiful homeland is an important path to promoting the well-being of the people,and it is worth learning and drawing lessons from.

2.1 Elevating the construction of a beautiful and livable national territory with natural and cultural values to a national strategy

The distinctive landscapes of nature and the diversity of culture are the driving forces behind the flow of people,goods,information,and resources between regions.The potential energy of regional culture generates fluidity,which promotes innovation and becomes a new engine for the nation's social and economic development.

2.2 Promoting integrated development of nature and culture in various fields

Since the second half of the 19thcentury,Germany has developed a widespread ＂land beautification＂ movement,which uses the protection and utilization of natural and cultural heritage to drive industrial revival and rural revitalization.It involves the participation of the public,including urban and rural areas,citizens,and stakeholders,and has shown unexpectedly positive effects in promoting economic growth.In the Netherlands,spatial planning preserves the rural values of the＂green heart＂ area and develops service industries such as agricultural tourism and leisure,enhancing the economic value within the ＂green heart＂ and increasing urban vitality.

2.3 Utilizing various technological approaches to achieve the goals of protecting and utilizing natural and cultural features

Germany's spatial planning is supported by multiple departments and disciplines,breaking down barriers between departments and integrating disciplines such as landscape planning,environmental science,ecology,3S technology,and information technology.

2.4 Establishing mechanisms to ensure the systematic and integrated protection of natural and cultural heritage

In Germany and the Netherlands,the administrative management institutions for spatial planning are combined with transportation and infrastructure management functions within the same department.They adopt a macro-level approach and a management mechanism centered on national land planning,providing overall protection for natural and cultural heritage through national strategic coordination.This helps shape a national territory with greater natural and cultural values.

3 Strategies to Shape the National Space with More Natural and Cultural Values

China has entered the era of ecological civilization.In order to shape high-quality national territory,it is important not only to focus on the protection of natural heritage and implement orderly management of various types of nature reserves but also to deeply understand the ＂new cultural mission in the new era＂,which is to ＂continue to promote cultural prosperity,build a culturally strong country,and build a modern Chinese civilization＂.It is necessary to fully recognize the value and role of protecting natural heritage in the construction of a modern Chinese civilization.At the same time,in the protection of cultural heritage,it is necessary to grasp the requirements of ＂prioritizing protection,strengthening management,exploring value,effective utilization,and making cultural relics come alive＂ in the new era,and pay attention to the natural environment and ecological foundation on which cultural heritage generation and evolution depend.This will promote the simultaneous protection of cultural and natural heritages and achieve a closer integration between the two.

3.1 Strengthening the comprehensiveness and integrality of natural and cultural heritage conservation

Natural and cultural heritages form an organic and continuous system.Many cultural resources are often distributed in areas with high natural value such as mountains,rivers,and coastlines,forming a comprehensive value that combines natural and cultural values.At the same time,natural resources and cultural resources are intertwined,overlapping in space,which brings together diverse ethnic cultural traits and a sense of place,and radiates landscape aesthetic values that are more diverse and differentiated.

3.2 Strengthening the participation and coconstruction of diverse stakeholders

3.2.1 Promoting interdisciplinary participation in systematic solutions

Under the background of the ＂full scope -all elements -whole process＂ technical system of the territorial space planning system,the transformation of land space development shifts the focus from considering land economic benefits to considering the comprehensive values of ecology,economy,and society.It also shifts from solving single problems to systematically addressing complex problems.Therefore,enhancing the scientific nature of planning and the participation of multiple professions in coordination is a top priority.It involves the participation of multiple disciplines such as planning,architecture,ecology,geology,oceanography,and agriculture.Given the lack of systematic solutions to modern human living environment problems,it is necessary to strengthen interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary technical collaboration,discover,analyze,and study problems more comprehensively through interdisciplinary teamwork and innovative integration,and propose the most systematic solutions.

3.2.2 Mobilizing the participation of government,market,and society

The government,market,and society are multiple stakeholders in the conservation and utilization of natural and cultural resources.Their collective participation and coordination contribute to the profound realization of the comprehensive value of nature and culture.The government should coordinate various forces,guide the integrated development of the market and society,pursue efficiency while considering fairness and sustainability,and play a more active role in resource allocation.

3.3 Innovating work methods and technical means throughout the process

3.3.1 Extending the work chain to cover the entire process

In the process of conserving and utilizing natural and cultural heritages,it is necessary to optimize the preliminary resource investigation and comprehensive assessment work.Considering the differences in the evaluation systems for natural and cultural resources,their jurisdiction under different departments,and the administrative boundaries,it is important to simultaneously consider the natural value and cultural value of resources and build a more comprehensive system for current situation investigation and overall assessment.It is essential to comprehensively grasp the total value of natural and cultural resources,highlight their cultural value,ecological value,landscape aesthetic value,and other overall values as much as possible,thereby further stimulating social value and economic value.

3.3.2 Empowering protection,utilization,and activation through digital technology

Looking ahead,based on the foundation of static and passive protection in the past,it is necessary to integrate the requirements of improving the living environment,leisure and recreational activities,and cultural experiences.By utilizing digital technology,public participation can be strengthened,and heritage preservation and innovative approaches can be enhanced.Through digital means,the integration of information resources such as scenic spots,ecological landscapes,historical relics,traditional culture,and urban-rural styles can be improved,thereby strengthening and promoting the overall protection and systematic utilization of natural and cultural heritage.

3.4 Establishing a national heritage spatial protection system and policy safeguard mechanism

The concept of ＂national heritage＂ aims to protect the spatial carriers that embody the genes of Chinese civilization.It requires the collaboration of multiple departments to jointly establish a spatial system aimed at protecting national heritage.This is an essential effort for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and constructing the great cause of building a modern Chinese civilization.

Looking to the future,it is necessary to further improve the spatial policy mechanisms for the protection of natural and cultural heritages.Multiple departments should collaborate to explore planning and safeguard mechanisms that enable the overall protection and systematic utilization of natural and cultural heritages.

4 Conclusion

The territorial space serves as the carrier of the long-standing Chinese traditional culture.Looking back,the comprehensive understanding of the overall value of natural and cultural heritages has been reflected in various stages of academic research,institutional development,and protection planning practices,ranging from the evolution of disciplines such as architecture,urban and rural planning,and landscape architecture to the establishment of nature reserves,scenic areas,and the protection systems for historical and cultural cities and then to the current practice of establishing and supervising the implementation of the ＂integrated＂ national spatial planning system and the construction of the natural protected area system with national parks as the main body.Inheriting and developing the concept of harmony between human and nature from China's excellent traditional culture,grasping the laws of ecological civilization construction,fully recognizing the value and role of natural and cultural heritage protection in the construction of a modern Chinese civilization,and further enhancing the consensus on the overall protection and comprehensive value of natural and cultural resources are crucial.From a strategic perspective,it is necessary to conduct indepth research on constructing a land space that possesses more natural and cultural value,explore new strategies and paths for creative integration and development,leverage the institutional advantages of planning reform at a new starting point,promote the construction of a modern Chinese civilization,and achieve the sustainable development of the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization.