Recent Works

architectural conservation

Diaolous, Jinjiangli,
Kai Ping, Guandong

Ruishilou (Precious Stone Tower)

Entrance gate of Jinjianli

Location of Diaolous (Click to enlarge)

Map of Jinjiangli (Click to enlarge)

Conservation Status of Site

1. Kept most historical character

2. Life has changed & Diaolous are not use as security towers anymore

3. Careless monitoring and restoration

4. Physical & visual boundary: village surrounded by bamboo forest

5. Exposed pipes on the external walls

Holes for shooting in the tower

Blending of Chinese and Western architectural style

Evaluation of Site Feature

Cultural, historical, architectural & social values
1. Shows the society situation in 1920s/30s and Kaiping’s geographical limitations: for defence from gangsters and flooding

2. Use of high quality foreign building materials: import of knowledge & a break through in traditional building limitations

3. Culture shock: mixed of European & Chinese architectural style

4. Reviews the history of Kaiping people working overseas in early 20th century & their nostalgic emotions to their homeland

Interior details. Some phrases like these were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution

Photo of owner, probably while he was travelling overseas by ship to face his advanture

Contemporary economic & use values:
1. Pride of the local people
2. Landmark
3. Tourism
4. Demonstration of architectural style in early 20th century

Potential of Site

1. Adaptive reuse of Diaolous
2. Study center of construction for early modern materials in China
3. Study center of life of early 20 century overseas Chinese
4. Tourism

Stakeholders

1. Office of Diaolou Culture
2. Villagers
3. Owners of Diaolous
4. Architects of vernacular buildings
5. Historians
6. Local government
7. UNESCO, ICOMOS

Ideal Management Objective

1. Ensure that future development is gradual with minimum intervention

2. Achieve the World Heritage Site status in 2007

3. Maintain existing setting of the Diaolous with respect to the lives of the villagers

4. Ensure that future development is sympathetic to the tangible and intangible heritage values embodied at the site

5. Take into account the existing political, social and economical environment

Viewing the village from Ruishuilou

Factors Influencing Management

1. Previous careless Diaolou restoration

2. Increasing number of tourists

3. Limited nature of site access

4. The need to minimise negative impacts to village life

5. Flooding and other natural disasters

Modern pavings: not well planned

Operational Objectives & Management Options

1. Low cost system

2. Simple level of technology

3. Minimum interruption to existing village life

4. Promote and support to ensure that at least 50% of operations staff are from the village

5. Careful restoration of Diaolous

6. Educate villagers and tourists on the site significance

7. Set up an advisory committee represented by members of the community, architects, historians, the local government & other interested stakeholders to maintain all village matters

Livelihood of locals

Visitor Management

1. Manage visitor use in a manner that promotes exploration and self-discovery, while protecting resources from overuse

2. Maintain the existing living heritage of the place by promoting continued village life; however also allowing some controlled forms of economic benefits associated with tourism

Education & Interpretation

1. Introduction point and visitor facilities outside of immediate village and rice paddies area where visitors will be briefed by a short video on the significance of the place, what to expect and see, and other safety/behavioral considerations

2. Directional and educational signage to guide and control visitor flow throughout a given path that is along the outskirts of the main village area.

3. This will ensure that the carrying capacity of the village/Diaolous are not exceeded

Can the narrow village alleys accomodate one 40 people tour group at a time?

Overall Site Management

1. Conservation and protection of the cultural resources, eg. building fabrics, cultural setting, relics, etc.

2. Maintaining the integrity of the site

3. Enhancement of features of special interest

4. Tourism– to control development and demonstrate the values of the site to the public and the tourists

5. Well organization and consultation– to set up a management committee including government officials, village representatives, heritage professionals

Work Schedule

Annual Plan:
1. Conservation & protection
2. Education & interpretation
3. Infrastructure
4. Restoration & maintenance of Diaolou
5. Overall site maintenance
6. Professional training on restoration & maintenance work on Diaolou, visitor management & landscaping
7. Regular evaluation of all the above aspects

Medium Plans (2-3 year period)
1. Reorganize/expand the management and operation units

2. Implement necessary infrastructure for living condition improvement and tourism development

Long-term Plans (5-year period)
1. Conserve and open more Diaolous

Should the appearance of old and new village house be controlled?

Should there be sight of modern device within the village? How to determine the time which the village should be "freeze" at?

Cost & Staging of Works

Implementation and Medium Plans
(2-3 year period)
1. Funding supported by the Kaiping government
2. Fund-raising from overseas Chinese

Long-term Plans (5-year period)
1. Reliable income from tourism

2. Establish trust fund for the protection and management of the Diaolous

3. Subsidies offered by the Kaiping government for site maintenance and repair of the Diaolous

Conclusion

With the implementation of the management plan, we hope to achieve the management vision in 5 years and set the standards for other nominated sites to follow.