Ricerc@Sapienza

In China, the interest, especially on the part of scholars and intellectuals, for questions concerning conservation, restoration, preservation, rehabilitation, regeneration of cultural and historical heritage, is more than ever a constant and growing theme of attention and debate. In fact, in recent decades, the rapid development of many Chinese cities has caused the demolition of entire historic buildings and neighborhoods.
The process of `modernization¿, due to political, social and economic pressures, has altered in many ways the protection and valorization of a significant part of the architectural heritage of many cities. Since the new consciousness for the protection of historical architecture has supported a unique series of interventions in-between Western theories and Chinese philosophical thoughts this research aims to study and identify a selected series of projects that will exemplify the different current design approaches to the problem. The idea is to identify what could be the appropriate tools and methods for the development of a design process that could reflect in the future the Chinese cultural heritage in an innovative and contemporary way.
The intentions are to understand to what extent the restoration and requalification of an existing building or an entire urban area can be positioned not only in harmony with the place but also in continuity with traditions without abandoning innovation. Preexistence and history are in this way essential components of an architectural and urban project that, even if in search for modernity recognizes the value of the place.
We believe, in fact, that from the recent restoration projects in China it is possible to deduce the appropriate tools to provide an adequate architectural and urban design approach that maintains and gives value to the continuity of its history.