大运河城市文化模式初探

Cultural Pattern of Cities along the Grand Canal

运河文明史就是运河城市发展史。大运河与沿岸城市是一体同胞、唇齿相依的。对于运河城市,它们或是由于运河开通而直接完成了自身的"城市化进程",从默默无闻的农村或普通市镇发展为具有相当规模或中心意义的大城市;或是借助大运河的综合功能超越了城市已有的规模与局限,使城市在空间、人口等方面发展到一个更高的水平。许多城市的命运与大运河的兴衰是紧密联系在一起的。大运河城市的主要功能在于推动内部的循环与交流,这在客观上有助于使中国社会因为更广泛的交流而成为一个内在联系更加密切的有机体。

The history of civilization of the Grand Canal reflects the history of development of cities along the Canal. Cities along the Grand Canal have been harmoniously integrated with the Canal. Along with the development of the Grand Canal, some of these cities directly developed from villages or rural towns into big cities or metropolitans. Still, some preexisting cities were elevated to a new level in terms of space and population. The principal function of the Grand Canal is that it has promoted the inner circulation and communication within China, which has molded China into an integral country of closer inner relations.