The sustainability cycle of historic houses and cultural memory: Controversy between historic preservation and heritage conservation

Historic preservation and heritage conservation are two mainstream concepts related to the sustainability and renewal of historic houses.With the aim of enhancing the sustainability of historic houses,this article criticizes the view of historic preservation that insists on preserving historic houses with their old appearances,which does not fully develop their sustainability.In contrast,the article provides support for the view of heritage conservation that aims to promote the sustainability of historic houses and related legislation.In the second and third parts,this article examines the theoretical origin of historic preservation,which emphasizes and summarizes the one-way protection of cultural memory via historic houses.In the fourth part,the article turns to heritage conservation,highlights the sustainable cycle between historic houses and cultural memory,and underlines the advantages of this sustainable cycle.In the fifth part,this article presents a sustainable approach to heritage conservation and related legal safeguards by taking the renewal of historic houses in China’s Bagua Village(or"Eight Diagrams Village")as an example.In the last part,this paper summarizes the theoretical value,practical value and limitations of this article.The findings can facilitate the UN’s sustainable development of social inclusion,economic growth,and environmental protection to promote the heritage legislation and policy of present and future generations.

Some Thoughts on the Preservation of Historical and Cultural Cities

Through the concepts in the preservation plan for the historical and cultural city of Shenyang,this paper at-tempts to discuss and explore various issues such as the understanding and implementation,contents and concepts,preservation and development,heritage and redevleopment of the historical and cultural city,with a hope to providethis profound topic some references for consideration.With the economic and cultural development of the country,more and more attention has been paid to the pres-ervation and the utilization of the historical and cultural relics.Shenyang is one of the second group of the historicalcities designated by the State Council in 1986.Preservation plan and protective measures are now being formulatedfor this city.The following paragraphs outline some views in respect of the preservation of historical and cultural cities.

Preservation and Regeneration Strategies for the Wudadao (Five Avenues) Area, Tianjin, China

Nowadays, Tianjin becomes a major economic development zone, emulating operations seen in Shenzhen and Shanghai. But the corresponding large-scale urban development is bringing great challenges to the existing modern architectural heritage, which is an indispensable part of Tianjin's history, character, and culture. The Wudadao Area in the previous British Concession is such a case. Through examining its development process, this research identif ies four modes of preservation strategies, and analyses the respective characteristics. Multiple stakeholders who take part in Wudadao's preservation and regeneration are recognized. Via case studies, the research elucidates the different roles played by responsible departments in Tianjin Municipal Government, state-owned enterprises, and local residents respectively. In a micro-circulation way, Wudadao has developed from an endangered colonial settlement to a re-recognized symbol of Tianjin's urban culture and a refurbished showcase of global identity.

Consideration on the urban spatial morphology and operation of Taiyuan, China from the religious building perspective

Understanding the physical characteristics and cultural connotations of the historical city is essential for the preservation of their hereditary and cultural values.This work aims to gain a more in-depth understanding of the historical city by identifying the relationship between religious buildings and the urban spatial morphology and the urban operation.Taiyuan,a northern city in China,is a suitable case for exploring this research idea.Cities with frequent foreign exchanges and distinct living groups tend to have more prosperous religious cultures than those in the central areas.The expansion of Taiyuan in the Ming Dynasty and the presence of Prince Jin,who respected Buddhism and Taoism,exacerbated the impact of the religious building on urban development.With regard to the evolution of Taiyuan in the Ming Dynasty,we highlight the changes in urban space brought by the religious buildings through the content analysis of the historical documents.Furthermore,the social functions of religious buildings are revealed,fleshing out the trajectory of the mutual development of religious buildings and Taiyuan in the Ming Dynasty.On this basis,the research findings are linked to the current needs of historical city preservation through the survey of reality.We suggest to coordinate the protection of religious architectural heritage and urban characteristics brought by religious factors and emphasize the utilization of religious architectural heritage as a potential culture and economic regeneration pathway.