Every morning at about 9 o'clock, Pantang Uncle Renren appeared in the Sanguan Temple on time, pulled open the door and uncle Quan to brew the tea, sat on the bench and chatted with the neighbors, and sometimes he sat quietly in the square in front of the temple, enjoying the fresh air on the shore of Liwan Lake.
Guarding the gate of the Three Officials Temple, Uncle Quan kept an inseparable eye on the dragon boat and lion dance props inside. He was a native of Pantang, and in order to have someone to take care of his old age, Uncle Quan moved to a high-rise building not far from here, but returning to the Sanguan Temple every day is still the most important part of his life.
Just like Uncle Quan, Pantang people are full of attachment and identification with their homeland, but Pantang 5 years ago was a blind spot in governance that made neighbors "spit" together. Until the arrival of a group of people, the place has undergone earth-shaking changes...
As one of the first batch of pilot projects for the transformation of old residential areas in Guangzhou, since 2017, Pantang Wuyue has taken the lead in carrying out the "Designer Under the Community" activity to jointly create and mobilize local residents to participate in micro-transformation, forming a Pantang experience of co-construction, co-governance and sharing. Since then, Pantang has also attracted craftsmen, entrepreneurial youth and non-hereditary inheritors to settle in, with the integration of culture, commerce and tourism, and promote the creation of a new model of urban life that is livable, workable and travelable.
Build trust in integration and engagement
"Pantang is red in the summer, and the beads of ten thousand trees reflect the water. Absorb the corner of the green pavilion, the sound of cicadas fluttering in the lotus flower wind. "A Qing Dynasty bamboo branch that has been passed down to this day depicts the elements of pantang such as red lily, lotus flower, and cicada singing, outlining the magnificent garden beauty of thousands of trees and beads. The water system in the hinterland of Xiguan, the old city of Guangzhou, is full of water systems, and flower boats are sung late like shuttle fishing boats, from Liu Wang Huawu to Haishan Xianguan, which is the core area of Guangzhou's "Garden City" and is the urban heritage that Pantang people are proud of.
However, in the period after the restructuring, Pantang experienced a "bleak decade". When the homeland becomes a blind spot in the governance of the neighborhood, people gradually lose their sense of identity with the homeland and the pride of the local culture. Looking back on the past, Uncle Quan was very emotional: "At that time, many neighbors moved into the building, and no one outside wanted to understand the history and culture of Pantang. Thanks to the designers coming later, our environment is getting better and better. ”
In 2017, Rui Guangye, a community planner for Xiangcheng Architecture, and huang Runlin, a colleague, walked into Pantang Wuyo, and a community micro-transformation began. To this day, rui Guangye's most impressive scene is still the scene where she first met with the neighbors: "At that time, the neighbors had no concept of micro-transformation, but they had great opinions about the neighborhood environment, and we heard a lot of resentment. Rui Guangye recalled that at that time, the Pantang people had lost their sense of identity with the community, and a community transformation to regain identity and cultural self-confidence was imminent.
Xiangcheng architect Li Peng also met for the first time, and he was impressed by the demands of the neighbors at that time: "Many people proposed to improve private space, and everyone lacked basic understanding of public affairs, not to mention the concept of co-creation." In Li Peng's view, the micro-transformation process of pantang five covenants is a process of cultivating public consciousness.
Pantang micro-transformation is the first guangzhou to explore the joint creation of the project, Liwan District Housing Construction and Garden Bureau (Transportation Bureau) second-level researcher Jiang Weihui introduced, in 2017, planning designers have joined the Pantang micro-transformation project, they have participated in the collection of residents' opinions, the design of the revitalization plan of the area, the block architectural planning and design, the sorting out of historical and cultural resources and other work, and constantly mobilize residents to participate in the transformation with advanced services.
From listening to the "decompression valve" to the neighbors' good friends, Rui Guangye and his colleagues tried their best to integrate into the residents. Holding communication meetings, door-to-door visits, participating in folk culture activities, planning Pantang historical and cultural exhibitions... With more than 80 large and small events and discussions, they did not miss every opportunity to communicate directly with the residents.
"For the elderly, we actively listen to their demands on the construction of ancestral halls, and young people use activities to attract their attention." Rui Guangye said that active integration of residents is a key driving force for co-creation, and soon they set up a resident office in the community, at least two days a week.
Slowly, in the process of dealing with the neighborhood, Li Peng also noticed a little change: "The neighbors have watched the environment gradually improve, and they are not embarrassed to only mention private appeals, and everyone pays more attention to the improvement of the public environment in the neighborhood." "From complaining about the construction environment to taking the initiative to send tea to the construction workers, communication and effectiveness have gradually established trust between each other.
With the completion of the micro-transformation, the new Pantang Five Covenants have made the neighbors praise one after another. "People who used to have their doors closed open, and the beautiful environment made them willing to look at the public space as part of the writer." Li Peng said that he noticed that many neighbors also began to put flowers in front of the door and take the initiative to decorate the neighborhood environment.
Slow down and create a model block for culture and leisure in Guangzhou
From facility renovation to functional transformation, pantang today is not only the home of residents, but also a cultural attraction in the Liwan Lake area. From the Entrance of Renwei Temple into Pantang Wuyue, a hand-drawn map is vivid and cute. In the pantang streets and alleys depicted in the picture, coffee shops, bookstores, homestays, piano houses, thangka art museum and other shops are arranged in flower arrangements, and wood carving, jade carving, legal embroidery, paper flower art and other studios form a layout of a hundred flowers.
Recently, a magic training institution called "Secret Magic House" settled in Pantang, in a 3-story building with an average floor area of about 20 square meters, magic scenes and props filled the space, and the overall atmosphere was full of mystery and magic. "Although the narrow space can't receive too many people at once, it is very suitable for performing close-up magic, which is very popular with elementary school students, and magic parent-child activities are held here on weekends." Secret magic founder Li Chengzong said.
Affected by the epidemic, Lai Chengzong and his team members shifted from international commercial performances to education and training, and Pantang "Secret Magic House" was the first physical store they opened. "The function here is not limited to training, sales, it is more of a service to provide experiences, so that magic can become a new partner for children." Li Chengzong introduced that at present, they are compiling magic teaching materials and actively seeking cooperation with the school to provide more professional strength for the trusteeship work.
In recent years, pantang five covenant revitalization projects have blossomed everywhere, from straight street to Yongbian street to sanguan temple, merchants and residents in the five covenants mixed with each other, forming a unique scenery. No matter what age group, you can find your own circle here, such as 1200 bookstores, small spaces, green to small courtyards to attract young people, while jade carving, wood carving, guqin and other shops are mainly for middle-aged groups.
Here, merchants have their own needs, some of them are public consumption areas, and some of them only do circle business.
"1200 Bookstore has added a youth hostel function in Pantang, mainly based on the sufficient space resources here. When the bookstore has a hostel, there is more life and the social distance between people is also closer. Liu Eryuan, the manager of 1200bookshop, said that the neighbors like this cultural atmosphere, and they often walk into the store to take a look.
In Liu Eryuan's view, pantang five micro-transformation is led by the government, under the premise of controllable rent pressure, the introduction of block formats has been very strict, and will not affect the overall positioning due to one-sided profit pursuit. "Investment promotion is not in a hurry, people only do what they want to do." Walking into Pantang Wuyue, you will feel as if time has slowed down, and the rhythm here and outside is different. Liu Eryuan said.
What should life look like? Pantang gives a different answer. "When people are accustomed to the fast-paced life of the city, they come to Pantang Wuyo to feel the charm of the historical and cultural old streets and feel the urban nostalgia of Guangzhou." In this sense, I believe that Pantang Wuyue is not only an improvement of the neighborhood environment, but also a model for the city to live and work. The person in charge of the Liwan District Cultural and Commercial Tourism Center said.
As an operating model for Guangzhou's historical and cultural districts, can Pantang be copied and promoted? The above-mentioned person in charge believes that Pantang has both replicable parts and non-replicable parts. "I think the part that can be promoted by the Pantang project lies in the work concept created together and its social fine management, however, the characteristics of Pantang are also more distinct, and not every community should be transformed into a scenic spot and cultural block." The person in charge said.
Cultural leadership, lasting construction of a modern "three communist communities"
On the first day of the first lunar month of the Year of Nongyin, Pantang Wuyoli beats gongs and drums in a festive atmosphere. Uncle Quan was happy to watch the "little lions" put on their heads and walk through the streets and alleys, going door to door to worship the New Year in the gongs and drums. The New Year's Awakening Lion, the Third Northern Emperor's Birthday in March, the Dragon Boat on the Fifth of May... These activities are the "family foundation" of the older generation of Pantang people, and they are also the cultural force that unites the hearts and minds of the community.
In recent years, Pantang's folk activities have become more and more supported by the government, and residents' calls for the spread of local culture have become increasingly loud, and they themselves are trying to show themselves to the outside world. "When people regained their identity and cultural confidence, we found that pantang people were eager to be known." Rui Guangye introduced that several young people in Pantang jointly opened a WeChat public account of "Guangzhou Pantang Traditional History and Culture", which is specially used to spread local culture.
To this day, Uncle Quan himself can't remember how many people have explained the history of Pantang, and whenever a visitor to the Three Officials Temple walks in, he always sits down with Uncle Quan to discuss it. Uncle Quan tirelessly told the story of Pantang over and over again, in his own words: "As long as someone is willing to listen, I am willing to tell, no matter where they come from." Uncle Quan has a careful thought, and strives to publicize the good Pantang so that there are people who inherit the cultural inheritance, and now, there are fewer young people who inherit local folklore, which inevitably makes the old people a little disappointed, so he often mentions the Leo training camp held every Friday in Pantang Wuyue.
In the past, during the period when the designers entered the community, the neighbors put forward many demands to promote the local culture, such as restoring the front gate tower of the Three Officials Temple, improving the identification of historical and cultural sites, and building a village history museum. Today, from co-creation to daily life, what does Pantang Neighborhood need? It's still a matter of lasting attention to community building.
Since the start of the renovation, Pantang has always had the problem of lack of community autonomous organizations, so it is difficult for residents to form a unified opinion on their demands. Although public deliberations have taken root in the hearts of neighbors, the implementation of specific matters still needs the guidance and support of the government.
It is gratifying that over the years, pantang's community building has never stopped, and the governance pattern of multi-subject co-construction, co-governance and sharing has initially taken shape, and the transformation to new to beautiful has been happening here...
Today, the Pantang Exhibition Hall on Wuyuezhi Street is in preparation, and the museum will display the historical evolution, folk culture, neighborhood life, transformation process, etc. of Pantang, and fully display the cultural heritage of Pantang to citizens and tourists by fully excavating the stories of local celebrities and famous gardens. In addition, at the end of last year, pantang party group service station was officially opened to the public, in addition to undertaking the function of tourist service center, the station is mainly for community residents, businesses, for them to build a public discussion and communication platform, but also for the pantang historical and cultural dissemination to build a new stage.
Not only that, at the end of last year, Changhua Street in Liwan District introduced a market-oriented property company for the first time for Pantang Wuyue, and now, the company is still in the trial operation stage, which will help collect residents' daily demands and transform the backward management methods of old residential areas. "People enjoy a beautiful neighborhood environment, but also adapt to the concept of modern governance, just like the process of co-creation, in the end everyone will accept what is good for them." Next, we will also introduce a smart management system to the community, adding charging piles, express delivery cabinets and other facilities to make neighborhood life more convenient. The relevant person in charge of Changhua Street said that in the future, the cost of community governance will definitely increase, in addition to letting the neighbors understand and support, the street is also trying to find ways to increase the public service facilities of scenic spots, hoping that these can feed back the cost of community construction.
A more modern Pantang is being built, when the urbanization process changes the community ecology, the relationship between people and their homes will also change, facing the future, cultural centripetal force and modern management or Pantang to achieve co-construction, co-governance and sharing of important choices.
Nanfang Daily reporter Lang Hui
【Photo】 Southern Daily reporter Wu Weihong
【Author】 Lang Hui; Wu Weihong
【Source】 Southern Press Media Group South + client