The 2026 International Cultural Heritage Protection Week, themed Unity for Prosperity, Heritage for Eternity, took place in Shanxi Province in mid-July.

Exploring the collections of the Shanxi Museum, walking through the Jinci Temple and wandering along the streets of Yuci Old Town and Pingyao Ancient City, I quickly realized that China's cultural heritage is far more than a collection of historic monuments. It is a living record of civilization—one that carries memory, craftsmanship, identity and cultural continuity across generations.

In recent years, historic urban areas around the world have come to face intensifying pressure. Rapid urbanization, changing lifestyles, new economic demands and technological transformation all challenge traditional approaches to heritage conservation. The question is no longer whether heritage should be protected, but how it can remain relevant in contemporary society while preserving authenticity. China's experience offers valuable insights into this conundrum. Heritage conservation is evolving from protecting individual monuments toward managing entire historic urban landscapes, where architecture, public spaces, local communities, traditional local businesses and everyday life form an inseparable whole.

This evolution reflects an important principle promoted by, among other related organizations, UNESCO: Conservation is about carefully managing change while respecting the authenticity, integrity and cultural importance of each place. For historic urban districts, this task is particularly complex. Innovation should therefore not replace heritage, but should reveal its values in ways that contemporary society can better understand and appreciate. Equally important is ensuring that heritage remains economically and socially sustainable.

Many historic sites face common challenges, including increasing maintenance costs, limited financial resources, changing tourism patterns and the need to balance heritage conservation with local economic development. Long-term protection requires more than restoration projects—it requires effective management and sustainable operation. One increasingly important approach is the public-private partnership model. When properly designed, this model enables governments, private enterprises, universities, cultural organizations and local communities to all contribute their respective strengths.

The most exciting transformation, however, is being driven by a new generation of museum professionals, designers, entrepreneurs, university students and digital content creators. They are becoming the new interpreters and communicators of cultural heritage, connecting the past with the future through creativity and innovation. As recognized by UNESCO, effective heritage interpretation is an essential component of heritage management. Conservation succeeds not only when historic buildings are preserved, but also when people understand their cultural significance. Across China, young professionals are introducing heritage to wider audiences through short videos, digital storytelling, immersive exhibitions, AI-assisted visualization, virtual reality and creative cultural products.

The rapid growth of digital media and AI also brings new responsibilities. While AI and social media have greatly expanded access to cultural knowledge, the speed of content creation can sometimes lead to the spread of inaccurate or oversimplified interpretations of history. As digital platforms become increasingly influential, it is essential to strengthen AI literacy, encourage the use of reliable sources and help young creators develop the skills needed to produce accurate, trustworthy and culturally sensitive content.

Heritage belongs not only to the past, but also to the future. By combining authenticity with innovation, China's younger generations are giving its rich cultural heritage new expressions and helping share it with the world. Protecting cultural heritage is about preserving stories, values, craftsmanship and cultural wisdom, all the while creating new values that keep heritage relevant in contemporary society. BR

The author is an assistant professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shenzhen University

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon

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