Reinventing Higher Education in Heritage Preservation:
Why? How? For Whom?
(Deadline Extended to January 5, 2025)
New International Experiences, New Ideas, and New Trends in the Field of Urban and Rural Heritage Preservation Education
Inaugural International Conference of the University Network on Heritage and Urban Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI) and Related Events
(October 25‑26, 2025, Shanghai, China)
The UNESCO Asia‑Pacific World Heritage Training and Research Center Shanghai Branch (WHITRAP Shanghai) hereby announces that the deadline for abstract submissions for the inaugural international conference of the University Network on Heritage and Urban Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI) has been extended to January 5, 2025, UTC 00:00. The conference theme is “Reinventing Higher Education in Heritage Preservation: Why? How? For Whom?” and aims to explore new international experiences, new ideas, and new trends in the field of urban and rural heritage preservation education. The conference will be held on October 25‑26, 2025 in Shanghai, China. It is hosted by Tongji University and co‑organized by the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, the UNESCO Asia‑Pacific World Heritage Training and Research Center Shanghai Branch (WHITRAP Shanghai), and the academic journals Built Heritage and Heritage Architecture. For more information and the conference schedule, please refer to the abstract call notice and submission template below.
The conference will be chaired by Chang Qing, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University. Professor Shao Yong, Secretary General of WHITRAP and Director of its Shanghai Branch, and Professor Zhang Peng, Vice Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, will serve as the Executive Chairs.
The conference’s Scientific Committee is fully international, composed of representatives from major universities and institutions across five world regions.
In 2023, Tongji University and WHITRAP Shanghai jointly initiated the University Network on Heritage and Urban Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI). The Network aims to reshape heritage education practices and sustain ongoing dialogue on the role of heritage in development processes within global discussions on culture, education, and development policies.
Related Events
During the conference, the University Network on Heritage and Urban Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI) will organize a series of related activities within its cooperation framework:
Before the Conference
The ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Vernacular Architecture and the International Scientific Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICOMOS CIAV‑ICICH) will host a joint workshop in a traditional village in Yunnan Province (details to be announced later).
During the Conference
·UHC-HEI Steering Committee Meeting
·International Student Design Award Ceremony
After the Conference
Technical tours will be arranged in Shanghai and surrounding areas.
Please follow subsequent announcements for details.
The official language of the conference is English. Abstracts and full papers must be submitted in English. Simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English will be provided for all forums.
The call for conference abstracts is open to all, with students, young scholars, and practitioners encouraged to participate and contribute.
Abstract Submission
Please submit your English abstract (no more than 300 words) in accordance with the format requirements to the conference email conf_uhchei@whitr-ap.org by January 5, 2025, UTC 00:00. Please refer to the attachment for the abstract template.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this conference, please contact conf_uhchei@whitr-ap.org, indicating “conference inquiry” in the email subject line.
The deadline for conference abstract submission has been extended to January 5, 2025 (UTC 00:00).
For more information and to download the abstract submission template, please visit
https://whitr-ap.org/index.php?classid=1518&newsid=3709&t=show
or scan the QR code below ⬇️
Contributed by: Marie-Noel Tournoux
Layout: Chen Yaotian (Intern)
Editor: Liu Zhen
Review: Shao Yong
