China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development recently agreed to launch a two-year-long pilot program for conservation and utilization of historical buildings in eight cities or counties. Qingdao, which is home to two pilot projects including the neighborhood of Road Feicheng in Shinan District and the neighborhood of Road Huangtai in Shibei District, is working to accumulate experience to preserve and utilize historical buildings characterized by “distinctive features, and a sound system”.

As one of the third batch of national historically and culturally famous cities, Qingdao has launched conservation of all 13 historical and cultural blocks and 337 historical buildings completed surveying and mapping, and the application of digital technology in 337 historical buildings and more than 1,400 buildings with traditional features. Coupled with urban renovation and construction, Qingdao in recent years has completed the requisition of Liyuan buildings, which covered an area of about 460,000 square meters and involved 11,000 households, in nine blocks including Zhongshan Road and Sifang Road. In line with the principle of “conservation and utilization instead of demolition after requisition”, the historical urban area in Qingdao has been broadly preserved, where popularity is on a constant rise, commerce continues to prosper, and everyday life is filled up with warmth and vitality. (Wang Bingjie)

An aerial view of the neighborhood of Huangtai Road in Shibei District of Qingdao.