Heritage Conservation through Planning: A Comparison of Policies and Principles in England and China

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of conservation planning practice between Chester, England and Qingyan, China. It examines conservation policies and plans in the two cities, and aims to contribute to current international debates surrounding heritage management. Three key dimensions of conservation planning are identified and applied to the cases: the planning tools delivering conservation; the recognition of heritage; and conservation objectives and principles pursued. The analysis reveals that enduring socio-cultural and institutional specificities contribute to moulding approaches to conservation planning. Understanding such contextual specificities and distinctiveness is essential for international exchanges of experience around conservation planning.