Pingyao case: the approach of human-habitat world heritage conservation and revitalization

Abstract

The human-habitat heritage sites in China like Pingyao and Lijiang were listed as World Heritage because of their OUVs. Since listed as World Heritage, the heritage tourism became the leading industry of the city which caused severe challenges in the authenticity and integrity of heritage conservation and sustainable development of city. This paper attempts to analyze the practice of Ancient City of Pingyao after 2006, based on the recognition of the dual attributes of heritage and human-habitat of world heritage cities, gradually forming a comprehensive conservation framework, and a ‘people-centered’ conservation concept and method. It explores a sustainable development path of world heritage cities based on this case.