From 17 to 26 November 2025, a delegation from the CNR ISPC carried out a scientific mission in Fujian (China), within the framework of the three-year strategic cooperation agreement signed with Xiamen University and UNESCO WHITRAP Shanghai. Led by Elena Gigliarelli together with the CNR ISPC expert team, the mission strengthened a long-term international collaboration dedicated to the study, documentation and enhancement of the urban and rural heritage of Fujian Province, with a particular focus on UNESCO sites and still-inhabited historic villages.

The mission opened with the First Roundtable Meeting at the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering of Xiamen University, attended by the UNESCO Shanghai representative. The meeting outlined the 2025–2028 cooperation roadmap, which includes joint actions in research, training, digital surveying and academic exchange between Italy, China and UNESCO.

A central component of the mission was the Nanyan Heritage Lab, an international initiative dedicated to the conservation of the historic village of Nanyan, renowned for its architectural heritage from the Ming and Qing periods. On 22 November, a major public seminar was held, organised by Xiamen University together with local institutions in Hu’an and Tangtou. The event gathered CNR ISPC experts, faculty members, UNESCO WHITRAP representatives and numerous village leaders and residents, fostering a highly engaged dialogue that highlighted the essential role of communities in sustainable heritage management.

In the final days, the delegation visited Guangze County, meeting local authorities and the archaeological team working at the Hejiaotan site, currently under consideration for UNESCO nomination. The mission also explored the historic villages of Qifeng, Renci, Jikeng, Meilin, Lianyou, and the historic Cheng’an Bridge, all examples of vibrant vernacular heritage deeply rooted in local cultural identity.

The mission confirmed the operational launch of the 2025–2028 strategic cooperation programme, which includes advanced digital documentation, HBIM and GIS modelling, joint workshops and summer schools, and the development of an international laboratory dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of Fujian’s cultural heritage.

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News CNR ISPC | Collaboration agreement signed | October 29, 2024 →