Introduction to the Protection of Historical Cities

Author: Zhang Song
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2001-12-01
Features: Cities are not only symbols of historical and cultural diversity worldwide but also products of cultural processes, carrying distinct regional cultural characteristics. Historically formed cities, as the second greatest creation of humanity after language, serve as the best witnesses to their splendid civilizations and the collective memory of generations. However, it seems that traditional residential areas, historic districts, and even cultural heritage sites have become stumbling blocks for our economic development and construction. During the development of new areas and the renewal of old cities, the ancient urban areas with rich humanity and distinctive features, shaped over centuries, have been almost completely wiped out after undergoing a "rebirth." The rapid and swift urbanization, in exchange for transforming "old appearances into new looks," has resulted in a homogenized urban space devoid of individuality. Today, Chinese cities are facing an unprecedented overall crisis: an environmental crisis, a crisis of uniqueness, and a cultural crisis. This book is written against the backdrop of the above era. Based on years of research on the theory of protection planning for historical and cultural cities in China and extensive participation in historical preservation design and planning practices, it focuses on analyzing theories and practices of foreign cultural heritage and historical environmental protection, attempting to comprehensively discuss the concept of cultural heritage, the meaning and significance of its protection, and elaborates on the theory and planning methods of holistic (or integrated) protection with historical cities as the core.