Amidst the picturesque landscapes of Chongqing, China, the esteemed Chongqing University hosted “The 4th International Symposium on Landscape and Ecology of the Yangtze River Economic Belt”, a distinguished platform dedicated to exploring the nexus of Cultural Heritage & Landscape conservation. The symposium, held on November 19, 2023, brought together a constellation of scholars, experts, and visionaries from across the globe to deliberate upon the pivotal role of cultural heritage in safeguarding the Yangtze River Basin. The event had hundreds of in-person participants and more than 5,000 online participants, with simultaneous transcription and translation of the speakers.

Among the international speakers, Dr Blal Adem Esmail, a distinguished Post-Doctoral Researcher from the Institute of Geography at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany, shared his recent research on nature-based solutions to address urban water security within the context of Eritrea. His expertise in planning nature-based solutions and green infrastructure for sustainable urban transformations offered invaluable insights of practical governance and financial mechanisms to secure water for cities while preserving life-supporting ecosystems and promoting cultural socio-cultural assets. He was also joined by Dr.habil. Luis Inostroza, a Senior scientist at Mendel University in Brno, and Alumni of Institute of Geography at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany, who addressed ecosystem services provided by blue infrastructures.

Overall, marking the fourth iteration of the symposium, this year's theme focused on the preservation and inheritance of the rich and diverse cultural legacy that resonates within the Yangtze River region. Esteemed scholars and luminaries converged to underscore the imperative nature of preserving this heritage as a linchpin for mitigating the adverse effects of urbanization and modernization encroaching upon the basin.

The event, organized by Chongqing University, underscored the urgent need to foster discussions and devise sustainable strategies to protect and revitalize the cultural essence ingrained in the Yangtze River Basin. Scholars from diverse disciplines engaged in insightful dialogues, dissecting the current challenges, and proposing innovative approaches to ensure the conservation of this invaluable heritage.

The symposium concluded on a resounding note of collaboration, commitment, and shared determination to champion the cause of preserving the cultural heritage woven into the Yangtze River Basin.

Meeting Organization

Superior Committee: Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture
Organizer: Chongqing University
Co-organizer: Chongqing Society of Landscape Architecture, Chongqing Academic Committee for the Conservation of Historical and Cultural Cities
Executive Organizer: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Chongqing University