In order to explore WHITRAP work on HUL approach for heritage conservation processes within changing environments in China, the New York University Wagner Capstone Team visited WHITRAP on 13th January . They had travelled throughout China to research the development patterns in large, middle and small sized cities, the similarities and differences that define Chinese urban development, particularly in port cities and their satellite regions. HUL approach exposed an alternative perspective for the understanding of Chinese sustainable development practices and the management of heritage, memory and identity in this context.