Taicang in Jiangsu province has been building on its geographic name database by conducting a second city-wide census.

Since April 2015 the city's toponym census has seen a catalogue compiled, collated and revised, and a registration paradigm set up, through cooperation between experts in the field and local residents.

As a next step, Taicang will have all geographic names in the catalogue registered according to the paradigm form and all information will be examined for accuracy and certainty. Field surveys will be conducted as well to collect multi-media information and determine geo-spatial coordinates.

This new census covers 52 parameters in 10 categories of toponyms, based on China's national geographic name database. Information collected will be analyzed, verified and systemized to perfect the city's basic database. A reserve of toponyms will be established for backup use. Historical names, including the extinct ones, will be documented.

Names of administrative regions, non-administrative areas, human settlements, transportation facilities, autonomous organizations, water conservancy projects, monumental sites, scenic spots, governmental and corporate units, noteworthy buildings, and terrestrial water systems are covered in the survey program.

The use of geographic names is being regulated to deal with situations such as one place having multiple names and different places sharing one name. Clear definitions for words such as mansion, square, center, park, and garden stipulated by the provincial government of Jiangsu will help eliminate the loose use of these terms in toponyms.

Names of contemporary personages, national leaders' names, foreigners' names, foreign toponyms and names resulting from transliteration are banned as toponyms, as are corporate names, trademarks, and product names.

Toponym management is considered by any administration as an important public service and tool for efficient and responsible governance.

China's State Council mandated the second nation-wide geographic name census to be conducted between July 2014 and June 2018. To comply with the central government's instruction, the Taicang government allocated a 600,000-yuan budget to fulfill the task, which is expected to be complex and intricate. More than 500 census workers were trained by experts from Suzhou city, and outsourced services will be enlisted to conduct field surveys.

By Liu Sitong and edited by Peter Nordlinger