Rise and Fall of the Grand Canal in the Ancient Kaifeng City of China: Role of the Grand Canal and Water Supply in Urban and Regional Development

The Grand Canal, a pivotal transportation artery in ancient China, significantly influenced the rise and fall of Kaifeng during the Northern Song Dynasty. Positioned at the canal's center, Kaifeng flourished as a global metropolis, driven by its strategic location that facilitated political, military, and economic exchanges between northern and southern regions. This period, dubbed 'the canal-centered era,' witnessed a transportation revolution, spurring commercial growth, urbanization, and agricultural advancements. However, the shift of the political center southward during the Yuan Dynasty altered the canal's route, diminishing Kaifeng's connectivity value and leading to its gradual decline by the Qing Dynasty. The study highlights the profound impact of water infrastructure on urban and regional development, offering insights relevant to contemporary sustainable development challenges.

Huang, W., Xi, M., Lu, S., & Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. (2021). Rise and Fall of the Grand Canal in the Ancient Kaifeng City of China: Role of the Grand Canal and Water Supply in Urban and Regional Development. Water, 13(14), 1932. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13141932