Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.4, 2014

 

Nanjing's Riverine Environment and Inland River Management in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

(Abstract)

 

Luo Xiaoxiang

 

During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Nanjing's economic development and growing urban population led to the deterioration of the city's inland river environment. The Qinhuai River silted up and its water became increasingly polluted. This phenomenon was common in Southeastern Chinese towns. In terms of the river management model, however, especially with regard to the agencies in charge and funding sources, Nanjing was rather unusual in that its management agencies ranked relatively high in administrative terms and its funding was relatively well provided for; it was only in the Jiaqing and Daoguang reigns in the Qing Dynasty that a substantial amount of private donations were put to use. Urban riverine affairs had a marked government-run character, reflecting Nanjing's unique political status as well as local administrative adjustments and the evolution of the financial system. Nonetheless, due to managerial limitations, successive riverine works failed to have a lasting effect; they were unable to prevent the riverine environment from deteriorating.