聚焦世界运河大会｜荷兰代尔夫特理工大学研究员哈利·邓·哈托格：从城市规划视角看运河水系与城市更新的得失

大运河传媒讯（董明 徐蓉 发自广西桂林）10月13日，2026年世界运河大会在广西桂林开幕。来自全球20余个国家的运河城市、科研机构、高校及行业组织代表，围绕世界运河遗产保护、水运升级和流域协调发展等议题展开交流。荷兰代尔夫特理工大学空间规划和战略小组研究员哈利·邓·哈托格（Harry den Hartog）在“人与自然的共生”分会议上，以黄浦江滨水岸线更新为样本，从城市规划视角看运河水系与城市更新的得失。Grand Canal Media News (Dong Ming, Xu Rong, from Guilin, Guangxi)On October 13, 2026, the World Canal Conference opened in Guilin, Guangxi. Representatives from canal cities, research institutions, universities, and industry organizations from over 20 countries around the world gathered to discuss issues such as the preservation of world canal heritage, improvements in water transportation systems, and coordinated development of river basins. Harry den Hartog, a researcher from the Space Planning and Strategy Group at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, presented his insights on the relationship between canals and urban development during the “Coexistence of Humans and Nature” session. Using the renovation of the Huangpu River waterfront as an example, he analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of canal systems in relation to urban renewal from a city planning perspective.

哈利·邓·哈托格（Harry den Hartog）是荷兰籍独立城市设计师和评论师。他从1990年开始经常访问亚洲特别是中国，后来移居上海。他现任荷兰代尔夫特理工大学空间规划和战略小组研究员，重点研究荷兰和中国城乡及区域振兴，也受聘于上海同济大学。Harry den Hartog is a Dutch independent urban designer and critic. Since 1990, he has frequently visited Asia, especially China, and later moved to Shanghai. He currently works as a researcher in the Space Planning and Strategy Group at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. His research focuses on urban and regional revitalization in the Netherlands and China. He is also employed by Tongji University in Shanghai.

“上海与荷兰有着不少相似的水网特质，背后水系运行的逻辑也可以相互参照。上海地处长三角地区，区域内的运河水系形成时间相对较短。在上海，黄浦江就是这套水系最具代表性的载体。”哈利认为，和荷兰一样，这片土地上水网纵横。水系承担居民洗衣取水、交通出行、社群交往多重功能。但是，伴随着高速城镇化，很多传统河道逐步消失，水系原有的生活功能快速消退，长三角一批运河古镇也在时代变迁中消逝，现存古镇更多转向旅游开发。“Shanghai and the Netherlands share many similar characteristics related to water networks; the mechanisms behind their water systems can be compared with each other. Shanghai is located in the Yangtze River Delta region, and the canal systems in this area were formed relatively recently. In Shanghai, the Huangpu River serves as the most representative example of such water networks.” Harry believes that, just like in the Netherlands, there are numerous water networks in this region. These water systems serve multiple functions, such as providing water for laundry, facilitating transportation, and enabling social interaction among people. However, with rapid urbanization, many traditional waterways have disappeared, and the original functions of these water systems have diminished quickly. Many ancient townlets along the canals in the Yangtze River Delta have also disappeared over time, and those that remain are mostly used for tourism development.

2010年上海世博会的成功举办，成为城市水岸功能迭代的重要转折点。曾经，黄浦江沿岸配套航运港口等工业业态。世博会之后，大量重工业、港口产业向外疏解，搬迁至城市外围乃至外省。“我们现在看到，黄浦江两岸岸线总长度达到120公里，其中单侧岸线绵延60公里。这片巨大的滨水区域，仅仅用了十余年时间就完成整体更新改造，这样的建设速度令人惊叹。”他说。The successful hosting of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo marked an important turning point in the evolution of urban waterfront functions. In the past, the areas along the Huangpu River were equipped with shipping ports and other industrial facilities. After the Expo, many heavy industry and port-related businesses moved away from the city center, relocating to the outskirts or even other provinces. “What we see now is that the total length of the waterfront area along the Huangpu River reaches 120 kilometers, with 60 kilometers on each side. It took only over a decade to completely renovate this large waterfront area – such rapid development is truly remarkable,” he said.

反观伦敦、纽约等国际城市的滨水工业业态存续时间更长，但伴随着城市发展，相关产业同样逐步退出城市。上海力图打造具有全球影响力的世界级城市群，对标东京、纽约、伦敦等国际化大都市。哈利提到，黄浦江滨水空间，就是实现这一发展目标的重要载体。同时，黄浦江也体现了人与自然和谐共生的现代化。这套理念根植于中国传统哲学，探讨人与自然资源之间的相处关系。In contrast, waterfront industries in international cities like London and New York have persisted for longer periods. However, as cities develop, these industries also gradually disappear from the urban landscape. Shanghai aims to create a world-class urban cluster with global influence, similar to international metropolises such as Tokyo, New York, and London. Harry mentioned that the waterfront area along the Huangpu River is an important tool in achieving this goal. At the same time, the Huangpu River also reflects the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in modern society. This concept is rooted in traditional Chinese philosophy, focusing on the relationship between humans and natural resources.

但在上海这种人口高度密集、开发属性突出的城市核心区，这套发展理念落地也会产生现实矛盾。哈利通过实地调研发现，上海内环的高密度滨水城市开发集群，部分项目规划方案、建筑风貌虽然都对标伦敦、纽约等国际知名滨水标杆项目，然而，在更新过程当中，现实的矛盾客观存在。当下，有规模不小的办公空间、商业零售场地处于空置状态。与此同时，大量老旧街区完成拆迁改造，也为高品质公共空间营造创造出新机遇。他直言，上海的情况与欧美城市在发展中遇到的争议高度相似。城市发展宏大愿景，和普通人的日常生活现实之间，存在一定的割裂。但与此同时，现状之下也蕴藏发展契机。However, in a city like Shanghai, where population density is high and development is intense, implementing this concept may lead to practical challenges. Through field research, Harry found that although some projects within the inner ring of Shanghai’s waterfront areas follow the standards set by internationally renowned waterfront developments in cities like London and New York, real-world problems arise during the renovation process. Currently, there are many office spaces and commercial retail locations that remain vacant. Meanwhile, the demolition of old neighborhoods creates new opportunities for the creation of high-quality public spaces. He said that the situation in Shanghai is very similar to those encountered by European and American cities during their development. There is a gap between the grand visions of urban development and the realities of everyday life for ordinary people. But at the same time, there are also opportunities for development within the current situation.

哈利分享了过去三年，他在中国开展的两百多次徒步调研活动。在实地走访中，他关注古代水陆驿道遗存，以及大运河沿线，和基层官员、本土企业家、农民、学者、学生等众多不同身份的人结伴而行，走遍一个个村庄，聆听乡土生活的故事。“我们把徒步走访作为研究工作方法，通过行走重新建立人与土地的联结。我的荷兰同事在荷兰本土开展同类研究。我们注意到，四川有很多值得借鉴的实践，当地一方面改善民生福祉，一方面修复自然生态，守护绿水青山，提升环境品质。”Harry shared the more than 200 hiking surveys he conducted in China over the past three years. During these visits, he focused on ancient water and land routes, as well as areas along the Grand Canal. He traveled with officials, entrepreneurs, farmers, scholars, and students from various backgrounds, visiting different villages and listening to stories about rural life. “We use hiking as a method of research, trying to restore the connection between humans and the land through walking. My Dutch colleagues conduct similar research in the Netherlands. We notice that Sichuan has many practices worth learning from: while improving people’s living conditions, they also protect the natural environment, preserve green landscapes, and enhance environmental quality.”

哈利·邓·哈托格认为，运河水系贯穿城市与乡村，它的价值不局限于工程遗产本身。在城市更新、乡村振兴的过程中，都要注重回归人的真实需求。Harry Den Hartog believes that the canal system connects cities and rural areas, and its value goes beyond just its engineering heritage. In the process of urban renewal and rural revitalization, it’s important to focus on meeting the real needs of people.

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制作 曹宇

编校 延晨 徐蓉

一审 桂艳 张莉

二审 肖东 董明

三审 晖军