A delegation of over 30 teachers and students from Harvard University visit Wuzhen, Zhejiang province on Jan 7 and hold discussions with local designers and architects at an exchange activity. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A dialogue on architectural development was staged between Wuzhen, the serene water town in the region south of the Yangtze River and a delegation from Harvard University on Jan 7.

Focusing on the relationship between rural and urban areas, cultural preservation and inheritance, and the revitalization of traditional architecture, Chen Xianghong, a landscape designer who turned the 1,300 year-old Wuzhen into a tourism hot spot, gave a speech to over 30 teachers and students from Harvard University.

Chen explained his understanding of architectural design based on Wuzhen's development and expressed his views on how to protect and inherit the time-honored culture. As the chief planner of the water town, he also told stories between him, architecture and people in Wuzhen.

Following Chen's speech, the professor from Harvard's Graduate School of Design Clayton Strange discussed the balance between urban design and city environment with attendees.

Students from Harvard and architects from home and abroad shared their insights on urban design, architectural development and cultural preservation.

Harvard University's trip in Wuzhen was part of Harvard College China Forum, North America's leading and longest-running student-run conference on China, which is scheduled to take place in spring of this year.

Considering that the exchange activity was an important chance to show the development achievements of Wuzhen, the water town established a long-term cooperative relationship with Harvard's Graduate School of Design. In the future, the two sides will hold more discussions on a variety of topics including architecture, design and rural protection.