The Global Forum on Human Settlements held its annual conference and the New Sustainable City and Human Settlements Award ceremony at the United Nations headquarters from October 24 to 25, 2024. Among the winners, “Juxi Village,” located in the Panfeng Township of Pan’an County, Zhejiang Province, was recognized as a “Global Human Settlements Village Model.” Notably, it was the only recipient of the “Rural” category award at this year’s event.
Juxi Village is nestled at the southern foothills of the Dapan Mountain National Nature Reserve, with a population of over 1,100 residents, over 95% of whom are from the Kong family, known as one of the largest communities of Confucius’s descendants in the Jiangnan region. This village is often referred to as “The Third Holy Land of Confucius” and boasts the Kong Family Temple, which is designated as a key national cultural relic.
For centuries, the Kong family of Juxi Village has upheld the values of education and scholarship, developing a family motto centered on perseverance, agricultural scholarship, benevolence, filial piety, and the pursuit of peace and order. The village preserves a significant array of distinctive ancient buildings, covering an area of 55,600 square meters. The Kong family temple harbors historical artifacts, including genealogies and a plaque honoring the “Sage of the Ancients.”
In recent years, Pan’an has established a three-tiered system for the protection of historical and cultural heritage under the framework of “Famous Cities – Famous Towns – Famous Villages.” It has introduced the “Cultural Heritage Protection Plan for Juxi Village in Panfeng Township,” committing to maintaining the village’s traditional appearance and cultural continuity while seamlessly blending traditional culture with modern living, thus creating a new picturesque, livable environment.
The village has seen the introduction of new cultural infrastructures, such as a Confucianism corridor, a statue of Confucius, and a Lunyu Square, alongside several venues like the Wuzhou South Confucian Family Heritage Museum and the Confucian Research Institute. These initiatives have transformed historical tales and cultural resources into tangible experiences. Eleven cultural programs, including the “Xingtan Academy” and “Let Confucius Speak,” have been launched to offer immersive experiences that shine a spotlight on Confucian values through performances and workshops.
The New Sustainable City and Human Settlements Award, established in 2005 by the Global Forum on Human Settlements, is one of the most prestigious global awards for sustainable development, receiving robust support from UN agencies, including the United Nations Environment Programme.
