Time：October 25 - Novemeber 29, 2025

Venue：B1 Exhibition Hall, Building C, CAUP Tongji University

In September 2023, at the International Conference on Urban Heritage Conservation and Design for Sustainable Development (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YePQFk3q9RgKSJKut0hk6w) — hosted by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, together with the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region, Shanghai Centre (WHITR-AP Shanghai) — an initiative was formally proposed to establish the International Network for Urban–Rural Heritage Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI).

Against the backdrop of an advancing global sustainable-development agenda, higher education for heritage conservation faces both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges. Rapid urbanization, climate change, the safeguarding of cultural diversity and accelerating technological innovation call for a comprehensive reappraisal of how heritage professionals are educated and how academic programmes are structured.

Inspired by UNESCO’s commitment to integrate culture and education more closely, the conference endorsed the Shanghai Initiative on Urban Heritage Conservation and Design for Sustainable Development and the Roadmap for Urban Heritage Conservation in Higher Education Institutions. The document advocates strengthened international cooperation among universities and relevant institutions in heritage education, the promotion of research and practice in urban–rural heritage conservation, and inclusive, multi-stakeholder approaches to address gaps in knowledge and capacity.

Since the initiative’s launch, the Network has expanded rapidly: more than 40 universities and institutions across all continents have joined UHC-HEI. The Network organised side events at the 46th and 47th sessions of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee (New Delhi, 2024; Paris, 2025). It also took part in the World Conference on Culture and Arts Education (WCCAE 2024, Abu Dhabi) and in the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT 2025, Barcelona), steadily broadening its international reach and influence.

On 25–26 October 2025, Tongji University will host theinternational conference “Reshaping Heritage Conservation in Higher Education: What, How, For Whom?” (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/7q05-2qSeD3spyEFhs-uiA), co-organised by WHITR-AP Shanghai and the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University. The conference seeks to provide a global platform for dialogue and collaboration to review and shape the future of higher education in urban–rural heritage conservation. 

On the occasion of the event, WHITR-AP Shanghai, the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, together with a wide range of partners, have organisedthe exhibition “Heritage Educational Landscape: Higher Education on Urban and Rural Heritage Conservation for Sustainable Development”. Focusing on higher education and lifelong learning, the exhibition presents the five dimensions — learning objectives, educators, learners, curriculum content and teaching methods — to map the global landscape of urban–rural heritage education, and to share international practices, theoretical insights and emerging trends in the field.

Capacity building in heritage conservation and culture-driven sustainability has become a global priority. This interdisciplinary challenge concerns not only educational institutions but also national and local governments, professional practitioners, international organisations — including the UNESCO World Heritage Committee — and global policy platforms such as the World Urban Forum. It is also central to several international normative instruments, including theConvention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (2011), the New Urban Agenda (2016), the MONDIACULT Declaration on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (2022), and the UNESCO Framework on Culture and Arts Education (2024).

We anticipate that the exhibition will help clarify the existing landscape of urban–rural heritage education and training programmes, and assist in identifying the key educators, learners, beneficiaries, and partners essential to enhancing educational quality. By introducing new ideas and skills to educational institutions, practitioners, policy-makers and civil society, the exhibition ultimately seeks to benefit students — the next generation of professionals, researchers, educators and decision-makers.

We extend our sincere thanks to all institutions and organisations that have contributed to the exhibition!

Host

Tongji University

Organizers

World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (Shanghai) under the auspices of UNESCO

College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University

Built Heritage Journal

Heritage Architecture Journal

Supporters

Chinese National Committee for the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS China)

Shanghai Tongji Urban Planning and Design Institute Co.Ltd (TJUPDI)

Partners (partial list)

ICOMOS: ICOMOS International Scientific Committees on Vernacular Architecture (CIAV), Education and Training (CIF) and International Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH) and ICOMOS Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG)

International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)

UNESCO Chair on Restoration and Conservation Heritage Structures

UNESCO Chair on Living Heritage and Community Development

UNESCO Chair on Heritage and Urban Regeneration

UNESCO Chair on Water, Ports and Historic Cities

UNESCO Chair on Modern Urban Heritage CREhAR (Creative Research and Education on Heritage Assessment and Regeneration)

Conservation Planning of Famous Historical and Cultural City Division, Urban Planning Society of China

Urban Regeneration Division, Urban Planning Society of China

Chinese Society of Landscape Architecture

Study on Natural and Cultural Heritage Journal

Urban Planning Forum Journal

Frontiers of Urban and Rural Planning Journal

Curators

Shao Yong, Secretary-General, WHITR-AP; Director, WHITR-AP Shanghai; Professor, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University

Zhang Peng, Deputy Dean and Professor, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University

Marie-Noël Tournoux, Project Director, WHITR-AP Shanghai

Project Implementation

Liu Zhen, Programme Specialist, WHITR-AP Shangha

Contributed by｜SHAO Yong   Marie-Noël Tournoux   PEI Jieting

Designed and Edited by｜LIU Zhen

Reviewed by｜SHAO Yong