In the new era, the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture show a new look

Since the beginning of the new era, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at the core, the mainland has basically formed a three-dimensional protection pattern with cities, villages and towns carrying cultural values in different historical periods as the main body and relying on them, and the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture has taken on a new look and stepped onto a new level.

• Urban and rural historical and cultural heritage is a representative symbol of the Chinese nation and an iconic symbol of Chinese civilization. The picture shows the landmark building of Fujian Tulou, a world cultural heritage site, taken on September 20, 2023 - the Tulou Group of Tianluokeng Village, Shuyang Town, Nanjing County, Zhangzhou City. Courtesy of Fujian Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development

A work pattern of systematically promoting the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture has been constructed. Adhere to comprehensive planning and linkage from top to bottom, thoroughly implement the "Opinions on Strengthening the Protection and Inheritance of Historical and Cultural Heritage in Urban and Rural Construction" issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, strengthen the implementation of responsibilities, improve systems and mechanisms, and basically form a work pattern for the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture. First, the management system continues to improve. The national planning outline for the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture has been compiled, all provinces have started the preparation of provincial-level plans, cities and counties have strictly implemented the territorial responsibility for the protection and inheritance of work, and the three-level management system for the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture has been gradually improved. Many famous historical and cultural cities have set up protection committees, expert committees and other institutions to strengthen organizational leadership and comprehensive coordination. Second, the working mechanism has been gradually optimized. Establish a long-term mechanism for the investigation and evaluation of urban and rural historical and cultural resources, carry out special assessments for the protection of famous historical and cultural cities on a regular basis, study and establish a building management system for the whole life cycle, and continuously enhance the integrity and systematization of protection and inheritance. Third, laws and regulations and standards have been continuously improved. Initiate and accelerate the legislative work of the Law on the Protection of Historical and Cultural Heritage, and formulate and revise regulations on the protection of famous cities, towns and villages, historic districts, ancient buildings, and traditional villages. It has issued policy documents such as strengthening the management of urban and architectural features, the protection of historical and cultural blocks and historic buildings, and the prevention of large-scale demolition and construction in the implementation of urban renewal actions, and formulated and issued standards and specifications for urban and rural historical and cultural protection and utilization projects, and digital technical standards for historical buildings. 14 provinces have promulgated provincial-level regulations on the protection of famous historical and cultural cities, 7 provinces have promulgated provincial-level regulations on the protection and development of traditional villages, and 110 national historical and cultural cities have formulated and promulgated protection laws and regulations, and the legal foundation for the protection and inheritance of urban and rural historical and cultural cities has been continuously consolidated.

A multi-level and multi-element system for the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture has been established. Adhering to the full coverage of space and the inclusion of all elements, the historical and cultural cities, towns, villages, traditional villages, historical and cultural blocks, historical buildings, historical areas, and industrial heritage with important protection value are included in the protection list, forming the most comprehensive, complete and systematic carrier for inheriting the excellent traditional Chinese culture. First, the age of the object of protection has been extended in depth. It not only focuses on the more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization and more than 180 years of modern and modern history, but also focuses on the more than 100 years since the founding of the Communist Party of China, the more than 70 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the more than 40 years of reform and opening up. Second, the types of objects to be protected continue to be enriched. A large number of ancient buildings and old blocks carrying important memories, such as 92 red cultural historical and cultural blocks, 85 industrial heritage blocks, 81 ethnic characteristic blocks, and 68 regional cultural blocks, have been included in the protection system. The implementation of the traditional village protection project, in six batches of villages with important protection value included in the national protection list, the protection of Fujian tulou, Hui style dwellings, Xiangxi stilted buildings, Hakka houses and other traditional buildings and traditional houses, the inheritance and development of 5,965 intangible cultural heritage at or above the provincial level, the formation of the world's largest agricultural civilization heritage group so far. Third, the number of protected objects has increased substantially. At present, there are 142 national historical and cultural cities, 312 famous towns, 487 famous villages, 8,155 traditional villages, more than 1,200 historical and cultural districts, and 63,500 historical buildings. Compared with 2012, there are 23 new national historical and cultural cities, 131 new famous towns and 318 new famous villages, the number of historical and cultural districts has doubled, and the number of historical buildings has increased nearly fivefold. Nine historical and cultural heritage sites, including the Grand Canal and the Gulangyu Historical International Community, have been successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List.

It has created a good atmosphere for the whole society to jointly protect and inherit the history and culture of urban and rural areas. Adhering to the participation and cohesion of all parties, the whole society's awareness of the excellent traditional Chinese culture has been significantly improved, the awareness of protecting urban and rural historical and cultural heritage has been significantly improved, and the concept of protecting, inheriting and developing urban and rural history and culture has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. First, the protection of inheritance has become a consensus. From party committees and governments to departments, from enterprises to the masses, the understanding of the important values of history, culture, science, art, economy, emotion and other important values contained in urban and rural historical and cultural heritage has been deepened, and the protection and inheritance of urban and rural historical and cultural heritage has become a strong consensus of all aspects of society. Many grassroots party committees, governments, cadres and masses are sincerely proud and incomparably love the local urban and rural history and culture, and the enthusiasm of the people to care about and participate in the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture has been fully stimulated. A number of large-scale documentaries such as "Spring and Autumn in the Cultural Context", "Remembering Homesickness" and "The Wisdom of Traditional Chinese Architecture" have been produced and broadcast, and the first broadcast has been watched by more than 10 billion people. Second, the consciousness of protection has been continuously strengthened. From "I want to do it" to "I want to do it", all localities have continuously increased protection efforts, innovated protection mechanisms, enriched protection types, and actively participated in social forces, so that the protection of urban and rural history and culture has become what the people need, enjoy, wish and love. In addition, more and more attention has been paid to the professional research on the protection and inheritance of urban and rural history and culture, and the inheritance of traditional construction skills. More than 10 colleges and universities have set up disciplines such as ancient building repair, historical building protection engineering, and architectural heritage protection, and carried out in-depth research on urban and rural historical and cultural heritage.

It has created a vivid situation of integrating urban and rural history, culture and modern life. Adhere to the development in protection and protection in development, promote activation and utilization, promote protection through use, pay more attention to improving people's livelihood and enhance style, and the people's sense of gain, happiness and security continues to improve. First, people-oriented is more warm. Implement the comprehensive environmental improvement project of historical and cultural blocks, make up for the shortcomings of infrastructure and public service facilities such as water, heating, electricity, gas, and heat, eliminate hidden dangers in building structures and fire safety, retain the original residents, and let residents enjoy the beauty of modern life in the old city and old neighborhood. The protection and utilization of traditional villages should be combined with the renovation of dilapidated houses in rural areas, and the improvement of infrastructure and public services to improve the living conditions and living environment of villagers. Second, the activation and utilization are more vigorous. In more than 70 cities, we have carried out pilot projects for the protection and utilization of historical buildings, revitalized and utilized historical buildings and industrial heritage, and renovated a large number of old factories and old commercial districts. Supporting the integrated development of culture and tourism in historical and cultural districts, introducing innovative and creative industries, 22 historical and cultural districts and 10 old streets have become national-level tourism and leisure blocks, turning "old landmarks" such as ancient cities, old streets, and old buildings into "new business cards". Third, the style and characteristics are more prominent. Many cities have established strict historical and cultural features and excellent historical building protection systems, and a number of old neighborhoods, old alleys, and old alleys have been retained in their original style and taste, making the city more distinctive and charming.

For details, see: Ni Hong's article "Doing a Solid Job in the Protection and Inheritance of Urban and Rural History and Culture in the New Era"

(Planner: Hou Yajing Review: Wu Qiang)