The management of urban heritage in China and Europe
China and Europe lie at opposite ends regarding rate of urban change. Rapid in the first, China is in danger of extinguishing its heritage, and very slow in the second, Europe faces the threat of unhealthy stasis for its cities. The project PUMAH (Planning, urban management and heritage) focused on the role of heritage in continuity and change in cities and regions. PUMAH made it possible to continue advancing knowledge regarding the management of heritage as part of the overall spatial planning process. Its focus on the two very different contexts of China and Europe has helped enrich knowledge on heritage management strategies with respect to spatial planning. Case studies in both regions focused on urban centres under threat of change and situations involving a clash between growth and heritage protection. Research teams posed critical questions regarding the study of time, speed and urban development and related institutional responses. Project research covered five topics, with the first four related to: heritage in urban regeneration; spatial planning, urban design and heritage; heritage, activity, place; management of urban heritage tourism. The fifth topic, methodologies of investigation and decision-making, was relevant to the above areas and also specifically with regard to decision-making in the planning and management of heritage. The project's joint research programmes comprised short and longer-term staff exchanges of experienced and early-stage researchers between Chinese and European partners. Project workshops, staff gatherings at international conferences and various non-project funded networking activities complemented the programme. Special PUMAH sessions were organised at two international conferences and papers were presented at another two. Beyond networking and researcher trainings, the project produced scientific publications, including five special journal issues, book chapters, and papers. A book under development involves all partners and includes a rich variety of Chinese and European case studies. PUMAH's work and results have set a base for continued and stronger future cooperation through joint activities and the dissemination of heritage research. Related efforts will provide greater clarity regarding the challenges and aims of heritage and development in Chinese and European cities.
Keywords
Urban heritage, spatial planning, PUMAH, urban management, urban development