6.3.3 Promoting the Economy of Historical Personal...
Jinan is experiencing a rapid expansion of its economic development, resulting in a phenomenon of blind profits pursuit, with no consideration for historical and cultural environmental protection.This has inevitably led to the destruction of historic buildings, especially the historic personalities’ residences.This is self-defeating, as a good historical and cultural environment can attract investment, promote the local economy and ensure stability in better quality job opportunities.The local economy can be developed from excavating, exerting and utilizing local history and culture, rather than at the expense of destroying it.The gradual disappearance of history and culture will finally become the reason for economic stagnation, as the unique nature of the city will disappear, leaving only the pursuit of ever decreasing profits.Therefore, an economy based on historical and cultural environmental protection will continue to benefit the contemporary and future society of an area, which ultimately benefits the national good.Focusing on history and culture protection is an important factor in formulating economic development.
It is worth noting that before receiving comprehensive economic benefits, proper restoration of the historic cultural environment is a prerequisite.Therefore, protecting historic personalities’ residences and their environment will inevitably involve funding.According to the level of these former residences, the funds system is very different.For the important former residences which property rights belong to the nation, they are fully funded by the government, and highly likely to be develop into memorial museums.Specialized team of experts can better maintain the status of such residences.However, not all residences of historic personalities can receive this kind of treatment.Many smaller scaled residences in Jinan are declining due to lack of necessary maintenance funds.The property rights of these residences are held in private ownership.The owners should raise funds through various channels for the daily maintenance of these residences.To attract private financing and raise funds by establishing a fund committee is a potential method for such residences.There are obstacles to success in sustainable development of heritage sites, and the benefits will be realized after these obstacles, particularly in fiscal matters, are overcome.
However, because that the reliance on the support of the Government is not a long-term solution, and public donations are limited and unstable, sustainable selffinancing by flexible management is crucial.Without robust and sustainable economic support, these former residences will gradually decay due to the shortage of funds.Managing these cultural resources and developing their own economy is a feasible method for stable progress.Therefore, in a contemporary society pursuing economic benefits, good economic development has become an important means of protecting these notable historic residences.(https://www.daowen.com)
The tourism industry is an effective driving force for local economic development in Jinan, and also a feasible way to solve any finance issues related to historic personalities’ residence preservation, meanwhile creating an opportunity for cultural education and interchange.However, badly managed tourism can often seriously degrade these residences.Therefore, sustainable tourism is vital for the ability to sustainably maintain these houses in good condition.United Nation World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defined sustainable tourism as the “management of all resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems.”[23]In 1995, the Charter for Sustainable Tourism was adopted at the first World Conference on Sustainable Tourism, pointing out that the essence of sustainable tourism development is for tourism, nature, culture and human living environment to be considered as a whole.[24]Global Sustainable Tourism has previously issued a series of policy documents including GSTC Industry Criteria, GSTC Tour Operator Criteria and Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Destinations.[25]These policies were formulated to regulate travel activity, which not only benefits the ecological environment but local culture, traditions, society and the economy.Through this viable, long-term economic operation, historic personalities’ former residences will become a sustainable financial resource for their preservation and development.
In addition to the development of tourism, opening business activities related to these historic personalities’ culture is also an effective way to obtain funds.The development of the brands, artworks, souvenirs, etc.for historic personalities’ former residences has become an emerging creative industry.Many of the former residences which are operated by individuals rely on these flexible marketing methods to earn funds for the maintenance of these residences.