High-quality Development Evaluation System of Water Parks

Yongshen TANG, Hailong ZHANG, Lei ZHANG

1.Bureau of Comprehensive Development, Ministry of Water Resources, Beijing 100053, China; 2.College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China; 3.Xinhua Water Conservancy Holding Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100053, China

Abstract Based on the connotation of high-quality development of water parks, this study established an evaluation system from distinctive water conservancy characteristics, excellent ecological environment, strong cultural atmosphere, strong development momentum, safe and efficient management, and significant comprehensive benefits, including 23 main contents and 52 evaluation indicators.Delphi method was used to score, and the evaluation results were divided into 3 levels, thus forming the evaluation system of high-quality development of water parks.This evaluation system has been preliminarily applied to the collection and selection of typical cases of the first national high-quality development of water parks.A total of 30 typical cases of high-quality development of water parks in China were collected and selected, and the first batch of 10 benchmark scenic spots were announced for key recommendation, and considerable application results have been achieved.

Key words Water parks, High-quality development, Main characteristics, Evaluation system

1 Introduction

The report of the 19thNational Congress of the Communist Party of China pointed out that "China’s economy has transformed from a stage of high-speed growth to a stage of high-quality development, and is now in a critical period of transforming development methods, optimizing economic structure, and transforming growth drivers"[1].High-quality development is the theme of development in the new era and the basic requirement of China’s economic development rules and development orientation, involving reform and development of development concepts, development methods, industrial structure, ecological environment, coordinated development,etc.It has become the development direction and strategic deployment of all walks of life.Since promoting the construction of the first batch of national water parks in 2001, there are 19 batches of 902 national water parks, and thousands of provincial water parks, achieving huge comprehensive benefits.The construction of water parks closely follows the national policy guidance and helps economic and social development.It is a practice area to achieve the goal of "double reduction" and an important way to build happy rivers and lakes.Promoting high-quality development of water parks is an important measure to implement Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization and building a beautiful China.It is an important starting point to promote the recovery of the ecological environment of rivers and lakes and maintain the health and beauty of rivers and lakes.In addition, it is an effective way to inherit and promote water culture, provide high-quality aquatic ecological products and services, and meet the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life.Many scholars have constructed the evaluation system of China’s high-quality economic and social development from various perspectives.Taking the new development concept as the center, Zheng Yaoqunetal.[2]constructed a comprehensive evaluation system for the high-quality development of China’s economy, and analyzed the measurement and spatial characteristics of China’s high-quality economic development level.Lu Jitong[3]established a high-quality development evaluation system from the macro, meso and micro levels.Lu Bangkeetal.[4]studied the high-quality development of China’s economy and society, and built an evaluation system from four aspects: innovation development, people’s livelihood development, ecological civilization, and economic growth, which had reference significance for the construction of a high-quality development evaluation system.Building a high-quality development of water parks evaluation system is conducive to promoting high-quality development of water parks and promoting greater ecological, social and economic benefits of water parks, and has certain reference significance for exploring the high-quality development of national parks and nature reserves.Taking water parks as an example, based on the connotation of high-quality development of water parks, using Delphi method, combined with the actual work of water parks, we established a high-quality development of water parks evaluation system in order to provide reference and reference for high-quality development of water parks.

2 Connotation of high-quality development of water parks

In the opinion of Chi Fulin[5], high-quality development is the essence of implementing new development concepts, establishing a modern economic system, and realizing people’s needs for a better life; Zhao Jianboetal.[6]stated that high-quality development is the development that better meets the people’s growing needs for a better life.Du Aiguo[7]believed that high-quality development is a development based on innovation as the primary driving force, coordination as the endogenous feature, green as the universal form, openness as the only way, and sharing as the fundamental purpose.Wei Wenjiangetal.[8]held that high-quality development is the fundamental purpose of satisfying the people’s better life, conforms to the new development concept, and realizes the comprehensive development of the "three major changes".In summary, high-quality development is based on the new development stage, implements new development concepts, always adheres to the people-centered approach, meets the people’s needs for a better life, deepens reform and innovation, and achieves green and sustainable development.The People’s Forum Research Group[9]contended that high-quality development of water parks means that the construction, management and development of water parks must be based on the people’s growing needs for a better life, the needs of economic and social development, and the requirements of relevant laws and regulations.Zhang Qietal.[10]thought that high-quality development of water parks includes five elements: lasting water security, beautiful water environment, advanced water culture, modern water management, and happy water life.Niu Yuguo[11]proposed to implement three great works of ecology, culture, and integration, promote the high-quality development of water parks in the Yellow River Basin, and provide support and guarantee for the development of the Yellow River Basin.Based on the practice and achievements of water park construction in Jiangsu Province, Zhang Jinsong[12]put forward the ideas and measures of high-quality development of water parks, to promote the high-quality development of water parks in Jiangsu Province.Many experts and scholars conducted in-depth discussions on high-quality development of water parks.The competent authorities of water parks in various places actively combined the actual situation of the development of local water parks to study and propose ideas and measures for high-quality development of water parks.With reference to relevant research achievements and the work practice of water parks, we believed that high-quality development of water parks is based on building happy rivers and lakes around the people, adhering to Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization thought, coordinating development and safety, and strengthening the development of collaborative innovation.It should have six main characteristics: distinctive water conservancy characteristics, excellent ecological environment, strong cultural atmosphere, strong development momentum, safe and efficient management, and significant comprehensive benefits(Fig.1).

Fig.1 Path for high-quality development of water parks

3 Construction of evaluation system

3.1 Construction principleTheEvaluationStandardofWaterParks(SL 300-2013)[13]and theRevisedProposalDraftforEvaluationStandardofWaterParksreflect the characteristics of water parks.As an important basis for the identification of water parks, it is conducive to standardizing the construction, utilization, protection and management of water parks, and promoting the standardization and construction of water parks.The high-quality development of water parks evaluation system is not only an evaluation of the development status of water parks, but also a reflection of the innovative measures and comprehensive effects of water parks in high-quality development.On the whole, the construction of the evaluation system for high-quality development of water parks should consider the following principles.

(i)The evaluation system should be coupled with the inherent requirements of high-quality development.The high-quality evaluation system of water parks should be based on the new development stage, implement the new development concept, and meet the deployment requirements of the Ministry of Water Resources on promoting the high-quality development of water conservancy, conform to the basic connotation of high-quality development of water parks, and consider innovative measures and comprehensive results in the process of high-quality development of water parks.

(ii)The evaluation system should have certain flexibility[14].The connotation of high-quality development of water parks has been basically determined.However, with the development of economy and society, the focus and depth of high-quality development of water parks will change.While constructing the evaluation system around the characteristics of high-quality development of water parks, each evaluation item should have certain flexibility.

(iii)The evaluation system should be comprehensive, practical and operable.The construction of the evaluation system should try to cover all the contents of high-quality development of water parks, while taking operability and practicability into consideration.The setting of the criterion hierarchy should include characteristics of high-quality development of water parks.If too few indicators are selected, it cannot reflect the content of high-quality development of water parks.If too many indicators are selected, it is not conducive to the evaluation and use in the actual operation process, and the effect is not good.Therefore, the construction of the evaluation system should be combined with actual work, fully consider the needs of all parties, and extract and refine representative indicators on the premise of ensuring the evaluation objectives.

3.2 Evaluation methodsCommonly used evaluation methods include analytic hierarchy process(AHP), entropy value method, and fuzzy evaluation method.Li Zhaodongetal.[14]used AHP process to evaluate economic responsibility audits and evaluate the performance of leading cadres to promote high-quality economic development.Using the subjective weighting method and the comprehensive index method, Qi Dietal.[15]evaluated the high-quality development level of the grain industry.Kang Luetal.[16]evaluated the high-quality development of Shanghai’s sports industry by using benchmark value comparison method and obstacle degree model.Tian Lijunetal.[17]introduced the entropy method into the evaluation system of high-quality development of airlines.Quantitative evaluation methods such as AHP and fuzzy evaluation method have certain advantages in solving some complex problems and weight calculation.However, the evaluation indicators of high-quality development of water parks are mostly qualitative indicators, and high-quality development of water parks is a dynamic process, which is affected by many factors such as politics, economy, society and culture.Therefore, we used the Delphi expert scoring method to evaluate high-quality development of water parks.The Delphi expert scoring method is conducive to meeting the new requirements in different situations, and facilitates the effective adjustment of high-quality development indicators according to the actual situation.Therefore, it is applicable to the evaluation of high-quality development of water parks in different regions or types, and meets the practical requirements of high-quality development of water parks evaluation and national water parks review.

3.3 Indicator systemTheEvaluationStandardofWaterParks(SL 300-2013)elaborated the definition of water parks, and set indicators from the landscape resource evaluation, development and utilization condition evaluation, environmental protection evaluation, and management evaluation, and clarified the water parks certification level standards.The evaluation objects of the high-quality development evaluation system are national water parks.Its basic conditions should meet the level requirements of water parks evaluation standards.The evaluation indicators cover a wide range, new content, and strong orientation.It is based on the problems faced in the development of water parks in recent years and the construction results, the main functions of water conservancy, the construction of water culture science and other content, the requirements for water ecology, water culture and management have been improved, and the national strategy and the latest policies of the water conservancy department have been closely linked.

From the basic connotation of high-quality development of water parks, in line with related requirements of Management Measures for Water Parks, with reference to theEvaluationStandardofWaterParks(SL 300-2013), combined with the actual situation of water parks construction management, and seeking expert opinions in water conservancy, planning, culture, tourism, economy and other related fields, we established an evaluation system for high-quality development of water parks, including 6 criterion hierarchies(distinctive water conservancy characteristics, excellent ecological environment, strong cultural atmosphere, strong development momentum, safe and efficient management, and significant comprehensive benefits), 23 main contents, and 52 evaluation indicators, as indicated in Table 1.

Table 1 Evaluation indicator system for high-quality development of water parks

3.3.1Distinctive water conservancy characteristics.Water parks rely on water conservancy facilities, river and lake waters and their shorelines.Distinctive water conservancy characteristics are basic features of high-quality development of water parks.This evaluation criterion(Table 2)includes two indicators with a total of 15 points, including the representativeness and demonstration of water conservancy projects and river and lake waters.

Table 2 Evaluation indicator content of distinctive water conservancy characteristics

3.3.2Excellent ecological environment.Water parks are a water conservancy practice that implements General Secretary Xi Jinping’s thought on ecological civilization.Excellent ecological environment is the essential requirement of high-quality development of water parks.The excellent ecological environment evaluation includes 9 indicators in 5 aspects of water quality, comprehensive control rate of soil erosion, forest and grass coverage rate, ecological landscape, and biodiversity, with a total of 15 points(Table 3).

Table 3 Evaluation indicator content of excellent ecological environment

3.3.3Strong cultural atmosphere.Inheriting and promoting water culture is the main function that water parks need to play.Strong cultural atmosphere is the inner soul of high-quality development of water parks.The strong cultural atmosphere evaluation includes a total of 7 indicators in terms of water culture, water science popularization hardware facilities and educational activities, with a total of 15 points(Table 4).

3.3.4Strong development momentum.Development momentum is the source of sustainable development of water parks, while strong development momentum is the fundamental guarantee for high-quality development of water parks.The strong development momentum evaluation includes 13 indicators in six aspects: development planning guarantee, development investment guarantee, development resource characteristics, development policy support, multi-format development model, and professional team of development, with a total of 20 points(Table 5).

3.3.5Safe and efficient management.Safety is the prerequisite for the development of water parks, efficiency is the basic attribute of high-quality development, and safe and efficient management is the key foundation of high-quality development of water parks.The safe and efficient management evaluation includes 9 indicators in 3 aspects: clear responsibility and scope, safe operation management, and green and intelligent service, with a total of 15 points(Table 6).

Table 4 Evaluation indicator content of strong cultural atmosphere

Table 5 Evaluation indicator content of strong development momentum

Table 6 Evaluation indicator content of safe and efficient management

3.3.6Significant comprehensive benefits.Significant comprehensive benefits are the goal requirements of sustainable development of water parks and the value embodiment of high-quality development of water parks.The evaluation of significant comprehensive benefits includes five aspects: serving major national strategies, improving living environment, stimulating economic development, enhancing people’s sense of gain and happiness, popularity and reputation, and public satisfaction, with 12 indicators, a total of 20 points(Table 7).

Table 7 Evaluation indicator content of significant comprehensive benefits

3.4 Classification of evaluation resultsIn the 2021 video conference on water parks construction and management work, it was clearly required to organize the collection and promotion of typical national water parks cases, and select a batch of high-quality water parks.The evaluation indicator system had a full score of 100 points, combined with typical case collection and promotion practice, the evaluation results are divided into three levels: I, II, and III(Table 8).

Table 8 Evaluation levels of high-quality development of water parks

4 Conclusions

In this study, we sorted out the current research situation of high-quality development of water parks.From the connotation of high-quality development of water parks, we studied the evaluation system of high-quality development of water parks.We established an evaluation system from 6 hierarchies(distinctive water conservancy characteristics, excellent ecological environment, strong cultural atmosphere, strong development momentum, safe and efficient management, and significant comprehensive benefits), including 23 main contents and 52 evaluation indicators.The indicator system was assigned with 100 points, and the evaluation results were divided into three levels: I, II, and III.The high-quality development of water parks is a systematic, overall, complex and long-term project.Relevant theoretical research is still in the exploratory stage, and there are certain differences in the understanding of high-quality development of water parks and its important evaluation indicators.Therefore, the construction of its evaluation system is also an innovative and exploratory research.This evaluation system has been preliminarily applied to the collection and selection of typical cases of the first national high-quality development of water parks.A total of 30 typical cases of high-quality development of water parks in China were collected and selected, and the first batch of 10 benchmark scenic spots were announced for key recommendation.

On July 28, 2022, the Water Parks Construction and Management Leading Group Office of the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Agriculture Film and Television Center(CAFTC)jointly held the first national high-quality development of water parks typical case conference in Beijing.Hongqi Canal in Linzhou, Henan, Erhuang River in Bayannaoer, Inner Mongolia, Jiangtan in Wuhan, Hubei, Mulanpi in Putian, Fujian, Lougang, Taihu Lake in Zhejiang, Jiangdu Water Conservancy Project in Jiangsu, Hancheng Lake in Xi’an, Shaanxi, Dishui Lake in Pudong New District, Shanghai, Guanmen Mountain in Benxi, Liaoning, and Zhuquan Village in Yi’nan, Shandong were promoted at the conference, which provided a model demonstration for the national high-quality development of water parks, and showed the new style and experience of water parks in the new development stage.These typical parks actively practice the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" by exploring the integrated development model of "water conservancy +" popular science research and culture, tourism, agriculture and health.They adhere to the people-centered development idea, and have achieved remarkable results in restoring healthy water ecology, building a livable water environment, promoting advanced water culture, developing a beautiful water economy, inheriting red genes, and helping rural revitalization, and have characteristics of distinctive water conservation characteristics, excellent ecological environment, strong cultural atmosphere, strong development momentum, safe and efficient management, significant comprehensive benefits.They are vivid practice of Xi Jinping’s ecological civilization thought and have high reference value.This evaluation system will be further applied to the collection and selection of typical cases of national high-quality development of water parks during the 14thFive-Year Plan period, using theory to guide practice, discovering and solving problems in practice, so as to improve the evaluation theory research, promote high-quality development of water parks, effectively maintain the healthy life of rivers and lakes, and meet the needs of the people for high-quality aquatic ecological products and services.