The living spring : cultural mapping of the living culture of a spring waterway community : Qingfeng Bridge Street historic area in the City of Jinan, China

Abstract

The record of the Qifeng Bridge Street can be traced back to the Northern Wei Dynasty when it was a place where famous literati of that time gathered and chanted drinking. Spring water flowing in front of houses is the essential part of the lives of the people who live in the Street. The interdependent relationship between spring waterway and local is one of iconic cultural cards of Jinan spring culture. At present, street space of Qifeng Bridge Street block is well protected while living condition are relatively dilapidated because of the ageing population of the area and government restrictions on spring water usage. Residents living in the street is still using the spring water and waterway while most of them are seniors and some social activities connected to spring water like swimming has been simply forbidden by the government without any negotiation with the residents. The research will adopt the methodology of cultural mapping, focusing on the tangible and intangible elements related to the heritage waterways in the study area and their relationship with the living culture of the local community. This dissertation will research on the background and heritage significance of Qifeng Bridge Street Historic Area and examine the tangible and intangible cultural heritage elements related to waterway living culture and focus on how the authenticity of study area and the corresponding traditional way of life (waterway living culture) can be best preserved. The dissertation will draw a conclusion in the chapter based on the research of the historic site and discuss these aspects in relation to the government plans and policies, then provide recommendations. Finally, the research would end with stating the research limitations and suggest future research.