The phenomenon of rural decline in China has long existed, and discussions on rural revitalization are increasingly intense. Facing the vast diversity of Chinese rural areas, this study focuses on villages closely linked to rivers, selecting the upstream region of the Jiulong River in southern Fujian as the case study area. It explores how a river-centric design can contribute to the sustainable rural revitalization of the Jiulong River Upstream region, fostering ecological integrity and socio-economic resilience.
The research delves into the issues facing rural China and summarizes them, using layer approach as the primary method to analyze the entire watershed, upstream region, and specific villages. It identifies ecological challenges such as segmentation of the river system, water pollution, flood risk, soil erosion, and monoculture, as well as social challenges including alienation to the river, underutilized economic opportunities, and low awareness of the ecological and economic importance of the river. In response to these challenges, corresponding strategies and principles were developed, and specific measures were integrated to form a comprehensive strategic framework. Additionally, the framework links ecological and social measures or strategies to explore the integration of socio-ecological systems. Each principle within the strategy framework corresponds to multiple measure options, providing implementers with flexibility and operability, and strengthens bottom-up governance through an analysis of stakeholders. The strategies are spatialized and expressed through designs or plans at three different scales.
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For the past centuries, the agricultural sector in north western Europe underwent massive intensification to keep up with the great demand due to globalization and population growth. In this process, an excessive amount of nitrogen has been emitted into the environment, causing soil depletion and biodiversity loss. The efforts of national politics, like the Netherlands and Belgium, to tackle this crisis has brought conflict concerning social justice. This project aims to provide a socially just strategy that achieves a sustainable agricultural food system, which in turn solves the nitrogen crisis by the year 2075. This is done by literature research on past principles, the current context and future trends of both social and environmental concerns. By building on the concepts of decentralization and sustainable land use in scenario building, a vision is formed. A conceptual framework has been set up to connect all the elements considered important within this transition. Through research by and research for design, a strategy will be developed in which South Holland will be used as a case study.
The goal of the report is to showcase a transition from the current agricultural food system into a just and sustainable one. Essential to achieve this goal is to look at different parts of the agricultural chain. The strategy inducing this transition includes new policies, technologies, knowledge and practices that reduce the nitrogen emissions. Through policies and projects some components will be phased out while others are simultaneously accelerated to activate the transition. Based on environmental attributes, different options are offered to guide farmers to proactively switch to more sustainable forms of agriculture. At the same time, consumers and distribution companies, guided by all levels of government, move to shorter chains to support sustainable farmers. To demonstrate the strategy on a local scale, three areas within the province of South Holland have been selected as a case study. By implementing a multi-scaled and holistic approach on the agricultural food system, engaging stakeholders on different levels, the project has the potential to serve as a blueprint for creating a just and sustainable food system that no longer causes nitrogen pollution.
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