今天小编给大家带来了关于考研英语的文章阅读，希望对大家的英语阅读水平有所帮助。
　　In today’s interconnected world, culture's power to transformsocieties is clear. Its diverse manifestations – from our cherished historicmonuments and museums to traditional practices and contemporary art forms –enrich our everyday lives in countless ways. Heritage constitutes a source ofidentity and cohesion for communities disrupted by bewildering change andeconomic instability. Creativity contributes to building open, inclusive andpluralistic societies. Both heritage and creativity lay the foundations forvibrant, innovative and prosperous knowledge societies.
　　What is culture? Culture is who we are and what shapes ouridentity. No development can be sustainable without including culture. UNESCOensures that the role of culture is recognized through a majority of theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those focusing on qualityeducation, sustainable cities, the environment, economic growth, sustainableconsumption and production patterns, peaceful and inclusive societies, genderequality and food security. UNESCO is convinced that no development can besustainable without a strong culture component.
　　To ensure that culture takes its rightful place in developmentstrategies and processes, UNESCO has adopted a three-pronged approach: itspearheads worldwide advocacy for culture and development, while engaging withthe international community to set clear policies and legal frameworks andworking on the ground to support governments and local stakeholders tosafeguard heritage, strengthen creative industries and encourage cultural pluralism.
　　Today, creativity is emerging as one of the most promisingavenues for changing how we see cities. Whether by revitalizing the localeconomy, rethinking transport or housing policies, reclaiming urban spaces, oropening up new horizons for young people, creativity is one of the drivingforces behind urban policies and initiatives. Cities worldwide are focusingtheir attention on the cultural and creative industries as an inspiration fortheir future.
　　This vision is promoted by elected representatives and citypolicy-makers, who see it as a strategic lever for innovation when it comes totackling contemporary urban issues, whether on an economic, social orenvironmental front. More importantly, however, it is a vision shared by professionalsand citizens, who are taking action in their own neighborhoods and communitiesto build more sustainable and more human cities.
　　This vision of creative urban governance is the driving forcebehind the UNESCO Creative Cities Programme and Network (联合国教科文组织创意城市网络). Since its creation in 2004,the Network has established itself as a strategic platform for promoting andsharing this new approach to sustainable cities. Through its standard-settingand operational actions, UNESCO has paved the way for demonstrating theessential role of creativity in urban sustainability, assisting national andlocal authorities and advocating this vision at an international level.
　　Culture and creativity play a key role in sustainable urbandevelopment. They contribute to diversifying the economy and generating jobsbut they also enhance the quality of life of citizens by participating to acity’s social structure and cultural diversity.
　　Part 2 Chinese to English Translation
　　作为浙江省省会城市，杭州是著名历史文化名城。距今约5300多年的良渚文化遗址（位于杭州余杭区）是中华文明发祥地之一。
　　杭州以美丽的山水著称于世。古代谚语“上有天堂，下有苏杭”表达出古往今来人们对于这座美丽城市的由衷喜爱。位于杭州西南的西湖，以其秀丽的湖光山色和众多名胜古迹而成为闻名中外的旅游胜城，2011年被正式列入《世界遗产名录》。此外，气势浩荡的钱江大潮，每年吸引无数游客。
　　杭州拥有丰富的历史文化遗迹。南起杭州，北到北京的京杭大运河始建于1631年，全长约1797公里，是世界上很长、很古老的人工水道。2014年6月22日，京杭大运河正式入选《世界遗产名录》。
　　在世界上，杭州也颇具有知名度。13世纪，意大利著名旅行家马可·波罗在游记中赞叹杭州为“世界上的美丽之城”。2011年，杭州曾被美国评为全球41个旅游城市之一，被联合国评为“国际花园城市”。
　　杭州还曾在中美建交过程中扮演重要角色，2015年1月，提出发展“旅游外交”。杭州作为著名旅游城市，又率先实践“旅游外交”。