The Glacial Snow Mountain Waterways of Lijiang

This project explores the far future destinies of thousands of cities & towns across the world as they strive to tackle the severe environmental obstacles of the evolving 21st and 22nd centuries. As a component of this, today we focus below on the future of Lijiang, China.

Lijiang, located in Yunnan Province, China, has long been a cultural and historical treasure. Known for its beautifully preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its proximity to the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang has developed a reputation as a vibrant city where nature, history, and culture converge. The city was originally an important trading hub on the ancient Tea Horse Road, a historic network that connected Tibet with China and other parts of Asia. This blend of Han, Tibetan, and Naxi cultures has left its mark on Lijiang’s architecture and urban design, particularly in its pre-communist structures, which include timber-framed houses, tiled rooftops, and narrow, pedestrian-friendly streets that follow natural watercourses.

Lijiang's historical significance grew during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), and much of the Old Town's architecture dates back to this period. Under Communist rule in the mid-20th century, Lijiang, like many other cities in China, underwent modernization efforts. Many traditional buildings were replaced with more functional Communist-era structures, characterized by concrete and less attention to historical aesthetics. However, the devastating earthquake of 1996 sparked a renewed interest in preserving the city’s architectural heritage. The reconstruction efforts led to an increased focus on preserving the traditional Naxi designs and encouraged greater respect for the city’s cultural roots.

As Lijiang enters the 21st century, it faces new challenges and opportunities in becoming a model of urban sustainability. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, an important natural landmark, plays a significant role in the region’s ecology, tourism, and cultural identity. The glacier atop the mountain is shrinking due to climate change, making the management of this natural resource more critical than ever. Eco-friendly veneration of the mountain could involve restricting tourist access to sensitive areas, reforestation projects, and collaboration with local Naxi communities to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into modern conservation efforts. Efforts to protect the mountain and its surrounding ecosystem would also benefit the region's biodiversity and water sources, crucial for Lijiang's future sustainability.

Lijiang’s urban landscape, particularly its blend of pre-communist and communist-era buildings, also offers an opportunity for sustainable retrofitting. Many of the old wooden homes, while beautiful, are not energy efficient, and the concrete structures from the mid-20th century offer little in terms of passive insulation or modern environmental standards. A city-wide initiative to retrofit these buildings with passive insulation, solar panels, and energy-efficient air conditioning systems could dramatically reduce energy consumption. Traditional Naxi homes, for example, can be insulated using local materials like rammed earth, which provides excellent thermal mass and reduces the need for artificial heating or cooling.

Lijiang in the late 21st Century

Another critical step toward sustainability is as Lijiang evolves into the latter 21st century to make itself nearly 100 percent pedestrianized. The Old Town is already largely car-free, with narrow streets and canals that lend themselves to walking and cycling. Expanding this pedestrianization initiative to the newer parts of the city could reduce air pollution, lower carbon emissions, and improve quality of life for residents. Electric buses and bicycle-sharing systems could provide transportation for those who need it while keeping the streets largely free from cars. These initiatives could not only help mitigate the impact of climate change but also preserve the charm and livability of the city.

By integrating eco-friendly practices into the management of its natural and architectural heritage, Lijiang could become a model for sustainable urban development. The city's unique blend of history, culture, and nature positions it perfectly to lead the way in creating a greener, more sustainable future.