The role of regional culture in the urban landscape of the embankment

Yue zixuan ORCID: 0009-0005-2634-1764 Doctor , art and culture, Tomsk State University 634050, Russia, Tomsk region, Tomsk, Buyanovskaya str. 3A, parus zixuanmimor@gmail.com

As a crucial leisure and sightseeing space, urban waterfront landscape has become the core direction of urban sustainable development. The purpose of urban waterfront landscape design is to meet the needs of citizens for a beautiful community and natural environment. Taking into account the different traditional customs, geographical location and local culture of each city, people gradually realize that the design of urban waterfront landscape is not only an environmental problem and design problem, but also an opportunity to promote the protection and inheritance of urban regional culture ^[7]. Therefore, the study on the role of regional culture in urban waterfront landscape is helpful to improve the design quality of urban waterfront landscape, better meet the public needs and protect local cultural heritage. In addition, the role of regional culture in promoting urban economy and increasing urban employment cannot be ignored.

Through the in-depth discussion of this study, it aims to provide more practical suggestions for the design industry and the public, promote the sustainable development of urban waterfront landscape, and also contribute to the inheritance and development of regional culture.

I. Research purpose

This paper explores how to integrate regional culture and sustainable development in urban waterfront landscape in order to promote the coordinated development of cultural protection, environmental protection and social economy.

· Analyze the relationship between urban waterfront landscape and regional culture, understand the characteristics of regional culture and the principles of sustainable development, understand the connection and dependency between the two ^[2];

· Discuss the role of regional culture in urban waterfront landscape, including its impact on aesthetic value, cultural protection, tourism economy, etc.;

· Systematically summarize the application methods and practice cases of regional culture in urban waterfront landscape design, explore the integration of regional culture in urban waterfront landscape, how to display and inherit regional culture through landscape planning, design and management, and how to better integrate regional culture in the design process;

· Look forward to the future development direction and application prospect of regional culture in urban waterfront landscape design, and provide references for urban waterfront landscape designers.

Through the in-depth discussion of this study, it aims to provide more practical urban planning suggestions for the design industry and the public, promote the sustainable development of urban waterfront landscape, and also contribute to the inheritance and development of regional culture.

II. The relationship between regional culture and urban waterfront landscape

There is a close relationship between culture and urban waterfront landscape. Urban waterfront landscape is a part of the urban landscape, while culture is an crucial part of the city's spirit and cultural soft power.

Urban waterfront landscape refers to the intersection between the city and the water source, natural or artificial waters, lakes, rivers or sea and other natural landscape, as well as buildings, parks, walks, recreational facilities and other artificial landscape composed of urban landscape ^[9]. Urban water landscape usually includes a variety of functions such as recreation, viewing and transportation, which can meet the needs of citizens' leisure, entertainment and life, and also become an important part of urban cultural inheritance and urban image building. In the process of urban development, water is a crucial resource, so cities are often built near water sources. With the process of urbanization, the development and environmental protection of rivers, lakes, oceans and other water areas have become one of the significant contents of urban planning ^[4]. In urban planning, the design and construction of urban waterfront landscape is usually the realization of environmental protection, public participation, optimization of urban spatial layout and landscape construction.

Through the development and utilization of urban waterfront landscape resources, not only can enhance the cultural connotation of the city, shape the image of the city, promote the development of tourism ^[6], but also can improve the urban air, water quality and other environment, improve the quality of public life, so as to promote sustainable development.

Regional culture is the basis of urban waterfront landscape design. Each city's geography, history, culture and natural environment have their unique characteristics, which constitute the basic elements of urban waterfront landscape design ^[16]. Integrating regional cultural characteristics into the process of waterfront landscape design can make the design works more vibrant and reflective of local characteristics. Regional culture is the cultural heritage of urban waterfront landscape construction. The construction of urban waterfront landscape also reflects the construction of urban culture, and local culture is one of the important components of urban culture. Integrating local cultural elements into urban waterfront landscape construction can not only enrich urban cultural connotation, but also promote the inheritance of local culture.

In the development of urban waterfront landscape, regional culture plays a vital role in sustainable ^[8] development of urban waterfront landscape. If local cultural elements can be integrated into urban waterfront landscape design, it can enhance the public's attention and recognition of urban waterfront landscape, improve the public's participation in the urban environment, and thus improve the sustainable development level of urban waterfront landscape. Only the combination of local culture and urban waterfront landscape design can make urban waterfront landscape design have the characteristics of cultural inheritance, economic benefits ^[1] and sustainable development.

Local culture is a pivotal part of urban culture, integrating regional cultural elements can make urban waterfront landscape more local characteristics. What’s more, when designing a park or square, elements such as local customs and traditional handicrafts can be added to highlight local cultural characteristics ^[10]. In the process of urban waterfront landscape design, integrating regional cultural elements not only helps to enhance cultural self-confidence, but also promotes the inheritance and promotion of traditional culture. The construction of cultural exchange areas with regional cultural representation can enable local residents to better participate in the process of regional cultural inheritance. Enhance the aesthetic value of urban waterfront landscape. The connotation of regional culture is rich and colorful, and integrating regional cultural elements can make urban waterfront landscape more cultural universal value and aesthetic value, and enhance citizens' cognition and beauty of urban waterfront landscape. At the same time, it can also attract domestic and foreign tourists and increase the economic benefits of urban tourism industry ^[11]. Regional cultural elements are identifiable, and using regional cultural elements in designing urban waterfront landscapes can establish a city symbol system with local characteristics ^[2], enhance the city's visibility and image, and make the city have a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

The influence of culture on urban waterfront landscape is multifaceted. It is not only an crucial expression of urban image and cultural soft power, but also an important factor to enhance tourism experience and promote economic development. The role of regional culture in urban waterfront landscape is not only an essential way to reflect local culture and cultural self-confidence ^[16], but also an ideal way to integrate urban waterfront landscape and local cultural elements, so that urban waterfront landscape has more culture and beauty, and achieve sustainable development benefits. Therefore, when designing and planning urban waterfront landscape, it is necessary to fully consider and integrate regional culture to create a tourist destination that showcases local characteristics and attractions.

III. The application of regional culture in the design of urban waterfront landscape

In the urban waterfront landscape design, regional culture is a very significant element. Regional culture refers to the unique cultural characteristics and customs within a certain region, and is the sum of cultural phenomena unique to a region.

Discovering regional cultural elements: designers should gain an in-depth understanding of the local cultural background, study local traditional culture, historical culture, modern culture and so on, and apply these elements to the design of urban waterfront landscapes ^[3]. For example, local architectural styles, scenic spots, folk traditions , local crafts and so on can be considered in the design to create an urban waterfront landscape with regional characteristics and cultural charm.

Reinforcing regional awareness: It is also vital to emphasis regional awareness in the design. Designers should re-understand and explore regional culture from the perspective of local residents and visitors, and include these cultural elements in their designs to enhance visitors' awareness and understanding of local culture. For example, exhibitions that showcase the local culture, cultural education courses, and traditional local cultural activities can be set up in scenic spots to give visitors a strong sense of the regional atmosphere and cultural characteristics ^[1].

Forming a regional brand: In waterfront landscape design, it is also important to create a strong regional brand. By combining regional cultural elements with other design elements, designers can create a brand image with independence and individuality to attract more tourists and investors. This will not only promote the development of the city's waterfront landscape, but will also enhance the visibility and reputation of the local culture.

In the design process, designers should gain an in-depth ^[6] understanding of the local regional culture, re-understand and discover the regional culture from the perspective of local residents and tourists, and integrate these cultural elements into the design of the urban waterfront landscape in order to create an urban waterfront landscapes that exhibit regional characteristics and cultural charm.

Different cultures have different aesthetic habits and needs. For example, in Eastern cultures there is a preference for natural and minimalist design, while in Western cultures there is a focus on the creation and furnishing of details. Therefore, in the case of different cultures, the characteristics and expressions of different cultures should be taken into account in landscape design, so that everyone can feel the characteristics of their own local regional culture in the urban waterfront landscape.

In the design of urban waterfront landscapes, the characteristics and needs of different cultures need to be fully considered, and multicultural experiences need to be adopted in order to create designs that suit the majority of people. To enhance cultural exchange and interaction, it is significant to provide multilingual services and create themed events and festivals.

IV. Case analysis

The Seine River in Paris is one of the famous urban waterfront landscapes in France. The Seine River in Paris flows through the centre of Paris and its design and planning fully incorporates elements of regional culture. The Seine is the great river of northern France, with a length of 780 km and a total basin area of 78,700 km2 including its tributaries; it is one of Europe's great rivers of historical significance and its drainage network carries the majority of France's inland waterway traffic. It has been the river of Paris since the early Middle Ages; Paris was founded on some of the river's main crossings and the interdependence of the river and the city is close and inseparable.

The banks of the Seine in Paris are home to many historic buildings and cultural heritage. Famous buildings such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Louvre are scattered along both sides of the river, representing the landmarks of Paris and the city's culture. The architectural style and layout of the riverbanks are also in keeping with the history and culture of Paris, such as the literary atmosphere on the left bank and the commercial bustle on the right bank. This has made the Seine a symbol and representative of French culture.

The streets, pavements and squares on the riverbank are infused with the French cafe culture ^[14]. The banks of the Seine in Paris are filled with cafes, small bars and restaurants, and the presence of this coffee culture has made the river banks a place to relax, mingle and enjoy good food. The scene and atmosphere allows people to sip a cup of coffee in the outdoor seating of the cafes and admire the flow of the river and the views of the city, a scene and atmosphere that gives expression to the regional culture of the Seine in Paris. Any piece of amenity that appears in the city of Paris has been meticulously crafted. The bus platforms were designed by British designers after a tender process, and the street newsagents are patented designs. Even the fences of the street plants were decorated by artists, reflecting the painstaking planning, deliberate work and polishing that goes into every aspect. The 'public street furniture' has since become a classic and general rule of urban design around the world.

In the design of the waterfront landscape along the Seine in Paris, the designers have respected and preserved the historic architecture, while integrating it into the modern waterfront landscape. The specific ways in which they have been integrated include:

1. Preserving the original form: the designers have respected the original form of the historic buildings, preserving their appearance and character in order to maintain their historical and cultural value. These historic buildings become highlights and features of the waterfront landscape, attracting visitors and residents alike.

2. Environmental integration: Designers focus on the integration with the surroundings of the historic buildings in the design of the waterfront landscape. They consider factors such as the height ^[7], proportions and materials of the buildings to ensure that the waterfront landscape is in harmony with the historic buildings, creating a harmonious overall effect.

3. Functional extensions: While historic buildings have their own unique functions and uses, such as churches and palaces, designers consider integrating these buildings into the waterfront landscape to give them additional functions. For example, the square around Notre Dame can be used for cultural events, art exhibitions or a temporary market, providing more opportunities for interaction and experience for city residents and visitors.

4. Masterplanning: Designers combine historic buildings with other elements of the waterfront landscape through a masterplan approach. They can integrate the historic buildings with their surroundings by means of landscape layouts, road settings and connecting pathways, creating coherent landscape routes and experiential paths.

In this way, the designers have succeeded in integrating the historic buildings along the Seine with the modern waterfront landscape of Paris, creating a landscape space with unique charm and cultural value. This integration not only preserves the value of the historic buildings, but also provides a rich cultural experience for the city's residents and visitors.

Bessie Park next to the banks of the Seine is a good example of the integration of regional culture into the design of a waterfront landscape. The Romantic Garden is on the other side of Rue Joseph Kessel, and the designer's vertical division of the entire park allows this area not to feel cut off from the rest of the park ^[4]. The Romantic Garden has a new, circular pond superimposed on the original grid, and a historical building has been retained on a rectangular island in the centre of the pond. The area around the pond continues the horticultural character of the flower garden, with a small-scale spatial layout that provides an intimate sense of garden amenities and various spatial treatments that leave traces of the past everywhere.

In addition, the large terrace between the park and Bessie's Quay is 7.5 metres higher than the park and 8.5 metres higher than Bessie's Quay, spanning the full length of the park. This terrace, planted with two rows of lime trees, together with the river, serves the purpose of linking the park to the city as a whole, maintaining the small waterfall that flows to the Great Lawn ^[15], reducing the noise of the motorway, enclosing the park and accommodating security facilities such as car parks and storage.

Overall, the Seine in Paris is a typical urban waterfront landscape abroad, where regional culture is well integrated and presented. The Seine in Paris reflects the cultural characteristics and regional beauty of France in terms of the architecture on its banks, the coffee culture and the events it hosts. With its rich cultural elements and the leisure and entertainment space it offers, the Seine in Paris attracts numerous visitors and makes an important contribution to the development of the French tourism industry and the city's economy.

V. Challenges and problems of integrating regional culture into waterfront landscape design

Preserving and passing on regional culture: The preservation and passing on of regional culture is a challenge. When building urban waterfront landscapes, there is a need to protect and respect local history, cultural heritage and traditions, while balancing the needs of modern construction.

When incorporating regional culture, there is a risk that foreign cultural elements will be mixed in resulting in a loss of local identity ^[8], and there is also a risk of homogenisation ^[13] where the waterfront landscape is too similar. And while successful integration of regional culture requires public participation and recognition, increasing public participation, building consensus, and balancing the needs of different groups pose challenges. In the planning and design process of urban waterfront landscape projects, attention must be paid to integrating regional culture by carefully arranging landscape elements, architectural styles,and public spaces ^[16].

When incorporating foreign cultures, the principle of moderate integration should be followed to maintain the characteristics and uniqueness of the regional culture. The mutual influence and exchange between local and foreign cultures can be promoted through the establishment of cultural exchange platforms. Through education and publicity, the public's awareness and understanding of regional culture can be improved, the awareness of regional culture protection can be strengthened and the public's emotional identification with the urban waterfront landscape can be cultivated.

VI. Summary and outlook

This paper has discussed the integration of regional culture and urban waterfront landscape design, and put forward several aspects that should be noted in the design process. Firstly, the local regional cultural elements should be fully explored and applied to the urban waterfront landscape so that visitors can appreciate the unique cultural charm of the locality. Secondly, in order to meet the needs of local citizens and tourists, the scale of the landscape, facilities and supporting services should be fully considered in the design ^[18], in order to create a comfortable, distinctive and multi-cultural experience within the urban waterfront landscape. At the same time, designers should also take into account the characteristics and aesthetic needs of different cultures and design accordingly.

It focuses on the integration of regional culture and urban waterfront landscape design and offers some design suggestions, but there are still some limitations. Firstly, no specific case studies on cities have been conducted in this paper, so the conclusions of the study may need to be adapted to specific scenarios in particular. Secondly, this paper does not provide in-depth research on aspects such as landscape operation and management and sustainable development, which need to be further explored.

This paper proposes suggestions and measures for integrating regional culture into urban waterfront landscape design, with the aim of creating more distinctive, comfortable and experiential urban waterfront landscapes. Through the rational use of local culture, combined with the needs of tourists and local citizens, different cultural characteristics and needs can be met, providing an urban waterfront landscape design rich in diverse cultural experiences. In the future, this kind of urban waterfront landscape design and operation mode, which mainly aims to meet people's spiritual and cultural needs, has greater prospects for development.