Zhonglou historical district combines both historical and modern elements after its regeneration. [Photo/yingze.gov.cn]

The 2024 Asian Townscape Award ceremony was recently held in Fukuoka, Japan. This year, 10 projects received awards, including the Zhonglou historical district regeneration project in Taiyuan, capital of North China's Shanxi province.

The Asian Townscape Award, founded in 2010, is co-organized by the UN-Habitat Asia-Pacific Office, the Asia Habitat Environment Association, and other international organizations.

It aims to recognize outstanding urban landscape practices in Asia that have made significant contributions and had far-reaching influences.

Zhonglou historical district is a millennium-old street in the city center of Taiyuan, built during the Song Dynasty (420-479). With its long history and rich heritage, it became a cultural landmark in Taiyuan and transformed into one of the busiest and most prosperous commercial areas in the city.

However, with urbanization, the facilities in the Zhonglou historical district gradually became outdated. Taiyuan prioritized the quality improvement and transformation of Zhonglou historical district as a major part of its urban renewal actions and a key project for upgrading traditional commerce.

After a year and four months of restoration and reconstruction, the district officially reopened on Sept 19, 2021.

Several historic buildings and 25 historical streets were restored, with the district's historical style and cultural depth preserved while integrating modern elements and functional needs.

Since reopening, the district has received 42 million visits and has been recognized as a national-level tourism and leisure street and a national-level cultural and tourism consumption hub.