BACK COVER STORY · 封 底 故 事

workers. In addition, improving a city’s selfimage and identity through recognition of

heritage assets has been shown to increase

civic pride and energize communities

to actively address a wide range of

development and livelihood issues.

Today’s rapidly-urbanizing cities, with

uncontrolled growth and informal expansion,

pose a significant risk for irreplaceable

cultural and natural resources. For example,

developers exert pressure to demolish lowrise traditional buildings and eliminate parks

in favor of high-density developments, and

municipalities install needed infrastructure

in a manner that has unnecessarily negative

impacts on traditional cityscapes. As

urban populations rapidly expand, local

resources tend to be scarce and most

municipalities struggle to provide basic

infrastructure services, making investment

in heritage conservation a low priority.

Therefore, it is increasingly important for

World Bank-financed projects to include

well-thought-out interventions that include

heritage conservation elements because

of their potential contributions to economic

development and urban revitalization.

The conservation of cultural heritage

supports urban revitalization by

preserving city livability, increasing

competitiveness, and creating a wide

range of income-earning opportunities.

The Cultural Heritage and Sustainable

Tourism Thematic Group (CHST) was

established in 2004 as a network of

practitioners to mainstream support for

heritage conservation into infrastructure,

private sector, and social development

projects. The thematic group reflects the

multi-disciplinary characteristics of the

CHST family, highlighting the wealth of

Cultural endowments such as traditional

architecture, unique streetscapes, and

historic sites are increasingly recognized

as important economic resources in both

developed and developing countries.

Cities are often an important focal point for

development based on these resources

because they provide concentrations of

heritage assets, infrastructure services,

private sector activity, and human

resources. Improving the conservation

and management of urban heritage is not

only important for preserving its historic

significance, but also for its potential to

increase income-earning opportunities, city

livability, and competitiveness.

World Bank-financed projects have found

that heritage conservation has increased

city livability by preserving streets and

neighborhoods built at a human scale,

public areas that support positive community

interaction, and green spaces that offer

recreational activities. By preserving their

heritage, cities can create a unique sense

of place and singular urban landscapes,

developing strong branding and conditions

to attract investors. This is especially true

for investors in tourism, which is one of the

largest industries in the world today and has

a track record of creating significant levels

of employment for unskilled and semi-skilled

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DIALOGUE TO GLOBAL MAYORS 对话全球市长

preceding year).

One of the most highly-visible and

d y n a m i c l i n k s b e t w e e n h e r i t a g e

conservation and local economic

development lies in the potential for

cultural and natural assets to attract

tourism investment and spending.

While global tourism has grown steadily at

7% per year over the last 5 years, recent

growth has been limited by the financial

crisis. The UN World Tourism Organization

(UNWTO) reports that it \"expects 2009

international tourism [growth] to be in the

range of 0 percent to a 2 percent decline.\"3

However, the UNWTO also reports that the

niche markets of adventure and cultural

tourism are two of the strongest segments

of the tourism industry and that culture has

become a component in almost 40% of all

international trips.

The economic slowdown is an opportunity

for developing nations to improve their

strategies, infrastructure, and tourism

products in order to establish a strong

base for future sustainable tourism. The

investments in infrastructure and heritage

conservation that are advantageous for

tourism development are also key elements

of creating livable cities-in other words,

improvements that support.

information and experience available

among more than one hundred Bank

professionals. In the urban sector, it is clear

that infrastructure projects can provide an

entry point for effective interventions in

heritage conservation and development.

Conversely, many task team leaders find

that discussions of lending that recognize

the value of local heritage provide a positive

starting point for dialogue on downstream

lending operations addressing broaderbased infrastructure investment needs.

This note focuses on the rationale for World

Bank-financed infrastructure projects that

include or focus on conservation of cultural

heritage assets either for their own value

or as a component of infrastructure and

economic development strategies.

Urban Revitalization, Heritage,

and Tourism

World Bank experience with the connections

between urban revitalization, heritage,

and tourism includes the urban upgrading

and rehabilitation of historic buildings

undertaken by the Georgia Cultural Heritage

Project, which is credited with playing a

critical role in stimulating the revitalization

of Tbilisi’s Old Town. It led private investors

to renovate their own buildings in the area;

to the opening of hotels, restaurants, shops

and galleries; to an influx of residents,

offices, and tourists; and to a significant

increase in property values. In the BosniaHerzegovina Pilot Cultural Heritage Project,

the reconstruction of the iconic Mostar

Bridge and other municipal infrastructure

investments made a significant contribution

to revitalization of the city center,

reconciliation among residents, and the

reestablishment of the local tourism industry

(officials found that tourism arrivals in 2004

stood at 220,000, up from only 50,000 the

BACK COVER STORY · 封 底 故 事

Typical transport sector goals such as

reducing traffic emissions, noise, and

vibration to improve residents’ quality of

life also have positive impacts on heritage

areas. Pollution damages traditional

surfaces and traffic vibration undermines

ancient structural elements, while traffic

noise detracts from the sense of history

and quiet contemplation that many heritage

sites offer. Projects that support transport

focal points such as container ports and

railroad terminals have long recognized that

these facilities depend on their surrounding

regions and cities for access to skilled

labor, efficient services and integrated

transportation links. As demonstrated in the

City-Port of Limon project profile, support for

cultural heritage assets has been used as

part of strategies to revitalize lagging cities

and regions that are hampering trade growth

and competitiveness.

tourism also enhance residents’ economic

opportunities and standard of living.

Moreover, if short-term crisis actions can

be aligned with the longer-term poverty and

climate needs, the overall industry structure

may actually be strengthened.

When the industry revives, cities in

developing countries with a strong basis

for tourism development will be better

poised to attract private sector and

foreign investors who see opportunities in

developing hotels and other tourist-related

activities. Employment opportunities for

local workers will increase through the

development of the service industry and

increased demand for local food production,

handicraft manufacturing, and other cultural

industries. The number of small and

medium enterprises will grow as economic

opportunities become apparent.

Cultural Heritage in

Transportation Projects

Many World Bank transport projects have

included pro-active components to support

conservation and management of cultural

heritage assets. For example, the Xian

Sustainable Urban Transport Project in

China will develop 44 kilometers of bicycle

paths in the urban core to link the city’s

key urban heritage sites and reduce traffic

congestion. The project will also build

an access road to a newly-excavated

archaeological park. The Cambodia Road

Rehabilitation Project restored 10 ancient

bridges on National Road 6 connecting

Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and the World

Heritage site of Angkor. The bridges were

part of the Angkor Dynasty’s “royal route”

and some of the most highly significant

examples of civilian architecture in the

country.

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DIALOGUE TO GLOBAL MAYORS 对话全球市长

Infrastructure Upgrading in an Historic Context

With attention to appropriate design and materials, infrastructure projects can achieve

their goals while conserving traditional streetscapes and the urban fabric. General

guidelines for installing services include:

• fixtures and connections compatible with historic designs and materials;

• minimal destruction of historic structures and streetscapes;

• access for service maintenance and renewal that does not require disruption of

historic materials or structures; and

• reversible processes that allow for further restoration of sites when future technology

or research findings become available.

To create effective policies for conservation in an urban setting, it is vital that active

consultation be established between all local agencies that have responsibility for

the built environment and local communities. Protecting cultural property must be

supported with coordinated policies and action at the local level.

neighborhoods that are laid out along an

extensive canal system and represent a

fast-disappearing traditional waterside

lifestyle. In addition to sewer connections,

the project rehabilitated the canal system

through dredging, embankment repair, and

reinstatement of a closed canal section to

improve water circulation and create tour

boat circuits.

Incorporating heritage conservation into

urban projects has supported the overall

goal of revitalization, significantly increased

client satisfaction, and led to a robust new

business line for the World Bank in China.

The development of large-scale water,

sanitation, and environmental management

projects in China has also led to investments

in heritage conservation that are not directly

Cultural Heritage in Water and

Environmental Management Projects

In China, several water and sanitation

projects have supported the conservation

of valuable heritage assets. In the Yunnan

Earthquake Reconstruction Program, a

portion of the credit was set aside, based

on local government requests, to repair

and rehabilitate heritage assets that had

sustained severe earthquake damage.

Among the assets repaired were water

and drainage systems compatible with

the traditional network of streams and

channels that provide fresh water to

every part of the World Heritage City of

Lijiang. In the Zhejiang Urban Environment

Project, a component for the municipality of

Shaoxing included renovation of traditional

housing and conservation in five historic

BACK COVER STORY · 封 底 故 事

of poor communities to take advantage of

the opportunities for a better life, while at the

same time supporting city competitiveness.

The Cultural Heritage and Sustainable

Tourism Thematic Group (CHST), hosted

at the Urban Anchor, has become the focal

point for heritage and sustainable tourism

work, and has been able to provide support

to regional teams implementing operations

that affect cultural and natural patrimony in

client countries. CHST is helping to ensure

coordination, disseminate knowledge and

learning, and facilitate collaboration with

partnership institutions including UNESCO

and UNWTO.

Source:

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/

TOPICS/EXTURBANDEVELOPMENT/EXTCHD/0,,co

ntentMDK:22252625~menuPK:540720~pagePK:2

10058~piPK:210062~theSitePK:430430,00.html

related the infrastructure improvements.

Local officials have begun requesting

heritage conservation components to

address the loss of their historic buildings

and traditional streetscapes, due to

the extremely rapid urbanization that is

occurring in the country. Consequently, the

issues of environmental quality and urban

revitalization in China’s World Bank projects

have been connected to assisting cities in

conserving their traditional urban fabric.

Conclusion

Many of the World Bank’s client countries

have been successful in supporting

cultural heritage activities within some

large infrastructure projects. These

projects have used heritage as an entry

point for opening up opportunities for

local economic development. The Bank’s

focus on sustainable development and

poverty reduction means that it must aim

to support heritage conservation and

tourism development that can improve

standards of living, increase income-earning

opportunities, and generate wealth for

the poor. Combining the conservation of

heritage assets and improving infrastructure

services provides more livable and dynamic

environments that directly impact the ability

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090

New Times Plaza

新时代广场

New Times Plaza is located at the heart of theShekou administration, business and trade

central zone. It has a superior geographic position with supporting traffic facilities which

quickly convey you to Hong Kong, Macao, Pearl River Delta and other regions of China, and

reach every corner of world via road, metro, airplane and ship.

New Times Plaza is a 5A intelligent office building and a Shekou landmark. Located right on

the vast inlet of the Pearl River, the building faces the ecological Nanshan Mountain in the

north and overlooks gorgeous Yuen Long of Hong Kong in the south. It connects withBinhai

Road and the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor for maximum business convenience.

With a height of 188.8 meters, a gross area of 87,000 square meters and 316 parking lots,

New Times Plaza is also equipped with an international video conference center, food and

beverage services, and other conveniences including a bank, stationery store and travel

office. You will be well served without needing to step out of your office. Many domestic and

overseas well-known enterprises and investors in the petroleum industry, transportation

and logistics industries have their offices here. Companies like Husky Oil China Ltd., Devon

Energy China International Marine Containers(Group) Co., Ltd enjoy longterm leases.

Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, has opened a brand new business

center in 2012.

Shekou is a center of reform and opening. Not only many well-known domestic enterprises,

such as China Merchants Bank, Ping An Insurance(Group) Company of China, Ltd., China

International Marine Containers(Group) Co., Ltd. and TCL Corporation started their business

here, but also international brands, such as Walmart, opened their stores in the early 90’s in

this valuable area. With the growth of Hong Kong-Shenzhen, Shekou continues to witness

great development in many areas including high technology, trade, travel andfinancial

services adding to the great prosperity of Shekou.

新时代广场位于蛇口行政商贸中心区，地理位置优越，交通配备完善，通过公路，地铁，铁

路陆运，机场空运，港口码头海运，是人流物流顺畅通达全市各区、港澳、珠三角、全国各

地乃至世界各地。

5A 智能甲级写字楼，蛇口地标性建筑物，前临壮阔的珠江口，背倚生态大南山，远眺绮丽的

香港风光，与滨海大道及西部通道紧密相连，尽享商务便捷。

新时代广场建筑面积 87000 平方米，楼高 188.8 米，停车位 316 个。这里商务设施一应俱全，

国际视像电话会议服务、餐饮娱乐、商务中心、银行、文具、票务等配套设计应有尽有，使

您无须走出大厦，即可妥善办理活咨询各种政商要务。国内外多家知名石油、航运、物流等

大型企业、投资商纷纷进驻，哈斯基石油、丹文能源、BG 中国、埃尼中国、中海、中集等公

司已经成为这里的长期客户。2012 年，全球领先的灵活办公空间提供商雷格斯（REGUS）也

于此开设了商务中心。

蛇口，改革开放的一面旗帜，从这里走出了招商银行、平安保险、中集、TCL 等著名企业，

沃尔玛等国际巨头也纷纷布阵于此。随着 2007 年开通的深港西部通道，蛇口已然成为深港接

驳地，在高科技，商贸旅游，金融服务等领域取得了长足的发展，续写着新的财富神话。

BACK COVER STORY

IMCC implements green office. All information sheets are made of eco-friendly materials.

Cultural endowments such as traditional

architecture, unique streetscapes, and historic

sites are increasingly recognized as important

economic resources in both developed

and developing countries. Improving the

conservation and management of urban heritage

is not only important for preserving its historic

significance, but also for its potential to increase

income-earning opportunities, city livability, and

competitiveness. More exactly, by preserving

their heritage, cities can create a unique

sense of place and singular urban landscapes,

developing strong branding to attract investors.

This is especially true for investors in tourism,

which is one of the largest industries in the world

today.