The cities of Hangzhou and Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province were recently included among the first 10 pilot cities for historic architecture protection in China, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MHURD).

Starting in December 2017, the pilot work will run for one year and see the two cities establishing government-dominated working mechanisms, investigating historic buildings, assessing feasible approaches to exploring historical value, using scientific methods to protect historic architecture, creating an approvals system and expanding funding sources.

Historic buildings are important conduits to Chinese culture, according to MHURD. Some buildings not regarded as cultural relics still vividly reflect the evolution of cities through China's long history.

A street lined with historic buildings in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province [Photo/Zhejiang Fabu WeChat]

Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang, has explored coordinated development of cultural preservation, improved living standards and urban renewal. It targets unimpressive historic buildings across streets and lanes instead of the better known former residences of celebrities, architectural landmarks and relic sites. A group of streets with old buildings in Hangzhou have thus been given new identities and new meaning.

A noted historic city with profound culture, Ningbo in 2015 released a list of 421 historic buildings and a year later, another list of 325 was published. Based largely on these now protected buildings, Ningbo has found value in reassessing its past while saving valuable cultural assets.

Xiangshan county's preservation and restoration of old buildings has been a notable success. Ningbo's Haishu district initiated measures detailing how to deal with older architecture correctly.

The choice of a pilot city for the country's historic architecture protection project inspired Ningbo. The local culture department will develop effective policies and the city will showcase the historic value of its architecture, hoping to pass on ancient civilization and enduring culture.

Yixian, a building in Ningbo's Zhongshan Park, is now under protection. [Photo/Zhejiang Fabu WeChat]