Progress,Key Issues,and Main Lines of Research on China's 20th-Century Architectural Heritage from 2008 to 2024
LIU Jianjun
WANG Qingfeng
ZHAO Pengfei
ZHENG Hengxiang
Abstract：As a material carrier of historical development,social evolution,and technological innovation,20th-century architectural heritage condenses the construction wisdom,cultural spirit,and memory of the Chinese nation over the past century.The protection and research of this heritage are not merely about the survival of material artifacts but also the inheritance of China's excellent history and culture.This study reviewed four phases of 20th-century architectural heritage protection,listing important meetings and protection charters,and summarizing the heritage concept.Furthermore,it analyzed the status of 20th century architectural heritage protection in China and listed achievements from key meetings and protection actions.While research on this heritage focuses on value,type,and management,and has yielded many outcomes,it currently lacks an overall overview.
To address this,275 pieces of literature data were analyzed using CiteSpace software,from which keyword co-occurrence,clustering,and time zone maps were plotted.This study broadly focused on various architectural heritages built in the 20th century.Given limited research results around 2000,scholars' research veins on heritage protection since 2008 were reviewed to guarantee comprehensiveness and continuity.Based on the mapping information and main heritage development events,China's 20th-century architectural heritage history was divided into two phases:initial exploration(2008-2013)and diversified development(2014-2024).Through a review of policies and regulations,and academic conference initiatives,papers and publications across these phases,it was concluded that the first phase primarily referenced similar regulations,with research reflecting the current situation and proposing protection strategies.In contrast,the second phase saw legislative protection gradually expand,and research showed a multidimensional development trend.Hot research vocabularies were identified from academic initiatives and keyword frequency in the literature.The evolution characteristics of keywords in policies,regulations,and academic studies across different phases were analyzed.Based on this,three major types of current research issues were proposed-basis,theory,and application-covering management and legislation,resource census,value research,type research,regional research,architect-work-thought research,protection research,creation research,and research on World Heritage List applications.Major research contents and scholarly opinions were summarized.Current research hotspots were elaborated,and research shortages and challenges were highlighted.Basic studies were found to provide data support for theoretical studies,while such studies offered paths for application studies,and application studies provided feedback and suggestions to basic studies and theoretical studies.
With references to the built framework for heritage protection,four research lines on 20th-century architectural heritage protection were summarized based on a review and reflection on major issues:(1)research on heritage management and legislation;(2)research on urban renewal and protection;(3)research on type innovation and value;and(4)research on master architects and creation.The study summarizes the significance and main content of each research line,points out the key research areas,and elaborates operational research paths to address the research gaps identified in the topic section.This study aims to construct a research network of 20th-century architectural heritage,using main topics as longitude and main research lines as latitude,to establish a framework for protection research and comprehend the direction of future research.It will provide systematic academic support for deepening the scientific protection,value inheritance,innovative utilization,and international dissemination of 20th-century architectural heritage,thereby promoting China from a large heritage country to a strong heritage country.
Keywords：20th-Century architectural heritageresearch progressmain issuesmain research lines
Publication Date：2025-07-30
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 105-114 )