STORY: Architect from China's Taiwan helps revitalize ancient town in Fujian
SHOOTING TIME: April 25, 2024
DATELINE: April 30, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:49
LOCATION: FUZHOU, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY

SHORTLIST:
1. various of the town
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DENG HAI, Architect from China's Taiwan
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DENG HAI, Architect from China's Taiwan

STORYLINE:

Songkou Town in east China's Fujian Province was once a thriving ancient ferry port. 

In 2014, Deng Hai, an architect from China's Taiwan arrived in this town, starting a revitalization effort that embraces both tradition and modernity.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): DENG HAI, Architect from China's Taiwan
"Because Songkou Town has such a long history, the first thing we need to think about is how to develop it now and in the future. Then, we've got to figure out how to handle the development and management of modern areas. And, from our professional perspective, there's a lot of potential for cross-Strait cooperation here. We've got experience in Taiwan, but we haven't had a project on this scale. So, in this case, the experiences from both sides could really work together well."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): DENG HAI, Architect from Taiwan
"This is an important place in Songkou where all those shared memories come together. We call it the ancient wharf.
So, when we first started working here, our main focus was talking to the locals. We wanted to dive into the stories of this place, understand how everything fits together - the logic, the economy, the geography, and ecological systems.
After that, our next move was all about restoring it. We made some design tweaks to create smoother slopes. And if you look beyond those rocks, you'll see abundant vegetation, making it an ideal and advanced ecological hub.
The third phase - building flood control embankments - has given Songkou an opportunity to establish a new transportation system."

Up to now, Deng and his team have completed around 50 conservation and revitalization projects in the town. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Fuzhou, China.
(XHTV)