Jinjiang in Fujian province is balancing the preservation of its traditional culture and old residential buildings with urbanization.

The city, which has a history of over 1,000 years, is home to many ancestral halls and traditional residential buildings. The structures are made of granite slabs mixed with red brick in a seemingly irregular pattern, a distinctive style of southern Fujian architecture.

The city is known for its traditional art such as the Jinjiang glove puppet show and Gaojia Opera, a local traditional drama featuring clown characters.

Huang Liang, director of the Jinjiang Bureau of Culture, Sports, Press and Publication, said the government is working with a group from Tsinghua University to conduct a full-scale survey of the city's traditional buildings.

More than 6,500 traditional buildings are being planned for renovation and preservation, Huang said.

Jinjiang Mayor Liu Wenru said every old building is highly valued in the city's push toward urbanization.

"Traditional buildings are collective memories of generations of Jinjiang people. They will not be demolished unless necessary," Liu said.

"Even if a traditional house has to be removed, considering the infrastructure needs, it will be transferred to a proper area and well protected," Liu said.

In addition to protecting the old buildings, the local government also spotlights the preservation of the city's intangible cultural heritage.

Thirty primary schools and middle schools have been selected as educational bases for the younger generation to learn Gaojia Opera and the glove puppet show.

A research center of the southern Fujian dialect is also being set up to focus on protecting the regional language.

Chen Rongfa, Party chief of Jinjiang, said the city's cultural roots have significantly contributed to its urban development.

"The cultural elements set Jinjiang apart from many other cities speeding up their urbanization," Chen said.

As cultural roots make the city lively and unique, protecting traditional houses and culture will always be on the city government's agenda, Chen said.

Wudianshi, an ancient building area in Jinjiang, has been preserved amid the city's urbanization drive. There are more than 100 ancient buildings in the city. Zhang Guojun / Xinhua

(China Daily?USA 09/08/2014 page5)