Experts from multiple countries discuss the symbiosis of historic buildings and contemporary cities

Beijing, September 23 — The parallel forum “Protection of Ancient Capitals in the Process of Urbanization” at the 2026 Beijing Cultural Forum was held on the 23rd. Experts from China, Brazil, France, Spain, and other countries exchanged views on topics including the protection of historic cities and urban renewal. Participants believed that Beijing has continued to advance the overall protection of its old city, the renewal of historic and cultural districts, and the revitalization and utilization of cultural heritage. The protection of historic neighborhoods should seek a path that balances preservation and development in renewal practices. Taking the Beijing Central Axis area as an example, experts pointed out that historic spaces themselves reflect the diversity of a city. Experts from UNESCO said that urban heritage protection is shifting from individual monuments to the overall urban landscape, and emphasized that residents should be placed at the core of protection so that heritage conservation can better serve the development of living cities. Representatives from Paris, France, introduced practices for preserving historic axes, landscape patterns, and the traditional spatial order in urban development. Dong Wei, a professor at Southeast University, said that the key challenge in protecting ancient capitals is to enable historic environments and development space to form an integrated interaction, gain resources and consensus within a broader regional development narrative, and promote a “living ancient city” that preserves its cultural lineage while adapting to contemporary life.