(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-29 07:22

To replace an old building with a new one or repair it to keep it intact as much as possible has remained a controversy in an urban reconstruction craze that started in the middle of the 1990s.

A number of old streets, buildings, and even some of historical interest, were leveled to make way for modern skyscrapers. And some buildings of historical interest were simply demolished to be replaced by their modern replicas.

The tendency was severely criticized by experts in an annual meeting held in Changsha this week on the protection of cities of historical and cultural interest.

The new buildings constructed in the old style of architecture are completely different from their original counterparts. The intangible cultural elements epitomized by ancient architecture can never be saved no matter how much money we spend. Once an old building is demolished, its cultural and historical elements are gone forever.

We have already made a lot of irremediable mistakes in urban renovation or reconstruction projects. It is high time we came to realize the urgent need to protect nationwide the remaining buildings of historical interest.

The current largest ever renovation of 1,447 courtyards within the inner city districts of Beijing should set a good example for the rest of the country in urban renovation.

These courtyards located in 40 hutong (lanes) will be repaired, with a view to improving the living conditions of the residents. The dilapidated roofs, walls, and wooden structures will be repaired with the same materials used in the old days. The drainage system will also be repaired.

What is worth mentioning is the requirement that old bricks or stones must be used as much as possible in the repair of these old houses. In addition, experts in the protection of cultural relics have been invited to give advice and oversee the work.

The message is that the Beijing municipal government has finally realized the significance of protecting old houses. We do not have many old structures left to squander.

(China Daily 11/29/2007 page10)