Conference Overview

Gathering global inland waterway experts, sharing innovative practices and inspiration, and jointly exploring the future development of canals

Distance From The Opening Of The Conference

2026-10-12 · Guilin

00
Day
00
Hour
00
Minute
00
Second

Conference Topics

Theme

创新与坚持:关键选择

Innovation and Perseverance: a Crucial Choice

Some countries' ancient canals and their heritage are facing many challenges and key choices on the path of transformation, such as: which should be changed and which should be preserved? How to adapt natural and cultural heritage to modern society while preserving it? Ultimately, we need to make a choice between achieving the ultimate goal of development and its costs. Discussions around challenges and choices have universal value.

世界运河大会主题图

Sub Topic

让古运河融入现代社区生活

让古运河融入现代社区生活

Let the Ancient Canal Become a Part of Modern Community Life

The ancient canal has always been a hub for the exchange and interaction of different cultural traditions in history. Some of the ancient functional systems of the ancient canal, such as water diversion, flood discharge, irrigation, etc., are still operating normally. Some of the cultural relics of the ancient canal still maintain their original appearance, and some residents living around the canal still maintain certain traditional lifestyles related to the canal, such as washing clothes and vegetables with river water. These are the marks left by the ancient canal for modern times.

This means that we need to explore a path, which is how to revive the original community with a modern lifestyle while preserving the traditions and heritage of the canal? In addition, what other factors need to be considered when helping canal cities build inclusive communities that promote harmonious coexistence between old and new?

Learn more
人与自然的共生

人与自然的共生

Living in Harmony with Nature

In the context of global climate change, the normal life of human beings is being tested. In this context, what are the unique challenges faced by people around the world, such as those living near canals? Are people around the canal more sensitive to the natural environment? How do their voices express?

How to incorporate biodiversity and microenvironmental impacts into the planning and construction of canal waterways? What are the key measures of the ability of the waterway system to resist climate change? What policy tools and infrastructure should be used to ensure sustainable development for all?

Learn more
旅游与保护的平衡

旅游与保护的平衡

The Balance between Tourism and Conservation

Many ancient canal cities are famous tourist destinations, and most of them are facing the choice of tourism development. How can one seize such economic opportunities? How to express the unique charm of the canal to tourists? Especially in the modern media situation, this issue is both real and universal.

At the same time, the pre-thinking that must be made is how to avoid the pressure of development on the original balance state? In particular, how to make the canal resources renewable and sustainable? These issues are also universal in the context of tourism economy.

Learn more