HKU Drives Sustainable Heritage Revitalisation in Chengdu
HKU MSc Conservation Practical Training Workshop in Revitalising Chengdu’s Industrial Heritage
Students presenting their proposals utilising various toolkits learned during the workshop and during their MSc Conservation studies
Jury members including: International experts from International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Sustaining Legacies, and various Asian universities; and local officers or practitioners
The collaboration with local authorities, industrial leaders, and academic institutions demonstrates HKU’s efforts in heritage conservation and revitalisation, beyond theories.
HKU’s MSc. Conservation students lead groups with students from mainland universities
Driven by a strong institutional ethos of sustainability, HKU deepens its commitment to translating academic insights into practical solutions for sustainable development. Led by Dr. Linda Shetabi, Senior Lecturer and Director of the MSc. Conservation Programme at the Division of Landscape Architecture, HKU students participated in a week-long Practical Training Workshop in Chengdu, China. This initiative aimed to promote the revitalisation of industrial heritage that respected the historic urban context as well as the priorities of local stakeholders, within a sustainable development framework that fostered international, regional, and local partnerships.
The project exemplifies a multidisciplinary approach, integrating economic viability, social resilience, and environmental sustainability—key priorities aligned with China’s national policies on urban renewal. The workshop combined field studies, stakeholder discussions, expert lectures, and an international webinar supported by ICOMOS SDG Working Group, bridging global best practices with Chengdu’s local realities. This collaborative model ensures heritage revitalisation strategies are contextually appropriate and practically applicable.
HKU’s active engagement extends beyond academia, translating scholarly expertise into tangible solutions. Collaborating with local authorities, the Sichuan Society of Architects and Civil Engineers, and the World Heritage International Research Center at Southwest Jiaotong University, HKU’s MSc Conservation students and mainland counterparts developed proposals that received high praise from international experts, government officials, and industry leaders. Their solutions showcase the potential to create economically viable, socially resilient, and environmentally sustainable revitalisation projects.
This initiative’s societal impact is significant. It equips future heritage professionals with critical skills and innovative tools essential for implementing sustainable urban renewal. Furthermore, the knowledge transfer supports local policy development, aligning with China’s broader sustainability goals. The project’s success was recognised by international and local stakeholders, including representatives from Sichuan Society of Architects and Civil Engineering, Sichuan Institute of Urban and Rural Construction, and Sichuan Provincial Architectural Design and Research Institute (SADI).
In conclusion, HKU’s leadership in heritage conservation and revitalisation exemplifies the power of knowledge exchange in fostering sustainable development. By nurturing future practitioners and supporting policy innovation, HKU contributes to building resilient, sustainable urban environments in Chengdu and beyond.