On April 15th, the first activity on protection and utilization of South China Historical Trail following “International Day on Monuments and Sites”, “Symposium on protection, renewal and utilization of South China Historical Trail ”, has been successfully held in Conghua, which is mainly organized by Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong, International City Management Association and Guangdong Urban&Rural Planning and Design Institute, with the help of Guangdong City Planning Association and Conghua District Housing Construction Bureau simultaneously.

P1. Li Yongjie, chief urban planner of Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong(The first on the left), David Johnstone, chairman of International City Management Association(The second on the left) attended this symposium.

Li Yongjie, chief urban planner of Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong; Tang Hui, deputy director of Urban and rural planning office; Wang Xiaofang, deputy director of Conghua District Housing Construction Bureau; Qiu Yanqing, dean of Guangdong Urban&Rural Planning and Design Institute; Ma Xiangming, chief engineer of Guangdong Urban&Rural Planning and Design Institute; David Johnstone, chairman of International City Management Association, with more than 30 urban planning experts of International City Management Association have attended this activity.

As known, International City Management Association has been founded in 1914, with a hundred of years, which is the most historical and influential international city management organization with the most members as well. Last year, the learning of planning and construction in the United States historical and cultural trails was successfully organized by Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong due to the contribution of International City Management Association.

P2. Richard Kerbel, urban planner in the United States, shared opinions on construction and management experience of the United States trails, who referred that the concepts “Honor the past to go forward” matched to the theme this year

Li Yongjie, chief urban planner of Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong, expressed respects to the experts from Guo Zhuangshi, deputy director of Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong, who was so grateful for their help in the learning. We gained a lot from this experience for our following work in South China Historical Trail.

Li Yongjie shows that, China has a long history with more than 5,000 years, handing down many ancient roads, so Guangdong province has been conducting work on their protection and utilization. In the last two years, under the work arrangement of provincial government and leadership of vice governor Xu Ruisheng, South China Historical Trail protection and utilization has enhanced village development in promoting industrial development on housing and construction, physical education and culture. South China Historical Trail will refer to the United States and Europe trails to show history and culture of south of the Five Ridges , natural scenery and Chinese Civilization, promoting outdoor physical training and healthy road of village trip, which is a crucial step to boost urban and rural development in eastern, western and northern in Guangdong. All of the work aims at achieving the goal of “Taking targeted measures to help people lift themselves out of poverty”. We aspire the experts can make valuable advice to South China Historical Trail in the view of international horizon.

David Johnstone, chairman of International City Management Association, expressed thanks to the warm reception and hope to learn advanced concepts in this symposium.

In the symposium, experts from Guangdong province introduced the latest development of South China Historical Trail protection work and the construction of demonstration section in Conghua, which attracted foreigners’ attentions. They asked many questions about future trends and protection current situation.

P3. Foreign experts have proposed many useful advices for South China Historical Trail.

Meanwhile, experts from International City Management Association shared opinions on planning and construction in United States historical trails and useful operation experience of foreign trails system. Bill Monahan, chairman of International City Management Association in Europe, regarded that publicity and promotion is significant when completing protection and utilization to attract overseas Chinese and who interest in China. They can travel here and make contributions to develop South China Historical Trail and the area along the line. We can set up some projects to encourage people to participate in. Professor Gong Huajie from Golden Gate University, California considered that we need collect historical stories along the line besides travelers’ data, which will become useful materials. Other experts suggested to invite residents to become heritage guides by the experience of United States, which saves cost and improves their self-confidence on culture.

P4. Participants visited Qiangang ancient village after the symposium.

After the symposium, participants visited Qiangang ancient village, one of crucial points on the demonstration section of South China Historical Trail in Conghua. They showed great interests on the completed protection of ancient buildings and continuously consulted the guide on their history and functions, even the drainage system.

P5. Experts showed great interest in Qiangang ancient village.

Finally, chief planner Li Yongjie gave “Armorial porcelain of South China Historical Trail” and cultural and creative products as gifts to the experts. Experts from International City Management Association expressed thanks and expectations to Qiangang ancient village, then hope to witness achievements in the future.

P6. Chief planner Li Yongjie gave “Armorial porcelain of South China Historical Trail” and cultural and creative products as gifts to the experts.