Theses (Historic Preservation)
Document Type
Thesis or dissertation
Date of this Version
2021
Abstract
Since the late 1970s, China entered an unprecedented period of urbanization, and global interaction characterizing the following decade and beyond. Historic preservation was under severe challenges in the wave of large-scale construction, which largely stimulated the development of domestic preservation theory. By ratifying the World Heritage Convention in 1985, China opened its door to the global heritage conservation society. Chinese scholars and preservationists critically accepted the universal preservation principles recognized by international organizations (such as UNESCO and ICOMOS) and responded to the global community integrating the Chinese and East Asian philosophy and experiences. In order to understand the interaction between China and the global society on preservation theory exploration since the 1980s, and build the groundwork for preservation theory development and future international conservation cooperation, the thesis will illustrate China’s experience in participating in the global heritage conservation society, creating theoretical interactions, re-framing domestic preservation system, contribution to cultural diversity, and establishing national identity in the global arena. The thesis will interpret the interactions by summarizing, analyzing, and comparing published laws and regulations, international charters and conventions, and landmark scholarly studies in and beyond China.
Keywords
Chinese preservation theory, authenticity, values-centered preservation, cultural diversity, national identity
Date Posted: 20 July 2021