CHAPTER 1 Introduction
序
Figure 1-1.The Historic Residence(https://www.daowen.com)
T hroughout human history, countless personalities have played important roles in the development of our society through technology, art, culture, economics, and other fields.After those personalities passed away, their former residences become the best places to commemorate their accomplishments, to display the examples of their work, to experience their living conditions and to feel their spirit.These houses, no matter how large or small, luxurious or shabby, are the places where these notable people lived and often significant events occurred.Preserving these homes and their surroundings properly can create an excellent opportunity for developing a regional culture, creating a unique local identity, promoting ecologic sustainability, benefiting the local economy, and eventually improving a healthy development of whole social (Fig.1-1).However, urbanization causes numerous problems which may threaten the healthy development of the environment, economy, culture and society, as well as the safety of architectural heritage.Historic personalities’ former residences are also facing unprecedented threats.Without an active preservation and sustainable development strategy, the vivid historic scenes and spiritual atmosphere of such architectural heritage sites will slowly lose their ability to attract both locals and tourists alike, which will eventually lead to degradation of the sites, and possibly their ultimate destruction.Therefore, to preserve and develop these areas is crucial to support their continued existence and prolong their usefulness to the society.
In the case study of Jinan, China, a program of preservation and development of historic personalities’ residences using sustainable methods is a crucial issue in an urbanization context.Jinan is a historical and culturally city where numerous famous historic personalities have lived.Their former residences are invaluable cultural treasures that allow us to commemorate their lives and achievements.These memorial residences are also historical landmarks of Jinan, providing an invaluable glimpse of the past for the future generations.However, given the rapid urbanization process in contemporary China, the situation for protecting and utilization of these memorial residences is not optimistic.These residential heritages have often been preserved in improper ways, rebuilt beyond recognition, or degraded gradually before finally being demolished due to their dilapidated state.Faced with these problems, developing proper strategies that offer guidance for their preservation and utilization with respect to ongoing urban development is essential.
For this aim, beside abiding by the principle of authenticity protection of historical buildings strictly, we should also pay more attention to the cultural sustainability of architectural heritage, and make a reasonable interpretation of cultural heritage combing with contemporary needs, so that people can understand and respect these heritage sites and the culture they represent.In this way, these famous residential buildings and their culture can be smoothly integrated into modern life, and continue to play a significant role in tangible and intangible means.