The Great Hall of the People in Beijing. [Photo from China Daily]

On Sept. 29, China released its first heritage list for architecture built in the 20th century, including 98 unique regional structures nationwide. Many experts hope that the list will protect China’s traditional architecture, as well as cultivate a cultural aesthetic among the public.

Jointly released by the Architectural Society of China and the China Cultural Relic Academy, the list includes architectural achievements such as the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. A draft regulation has also been released to protect traditional architecture, calling for a comprehensive national survey of 20th century architecture, as well as a reevaluation of laws intended to protect it, Chinanews.cn reported.

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin, Heilongjiang province. [Photo from China Daily]

China has made great effort to protect its traditional architecture in recent years, yet many traditional buildings have been demolished or destroyed due to insufficient public awareness and a lack of legal protection. For instance, Ju’er Hutong Courtyard Housing Project, which was initiated by Chinese architect Wu Liangyong and won the 1992 United Nations World Habitat Award, is now languishing in disrepair as it undergoes a disorderly reconstruction.

Jinmao Tower in Shanghai. It is among 98 sites on the 20the-Century Chinese Architechtural Heritage List. [Photo/IC]

“To architects, the buildings [we] designed are like daughters to us. We married off our beloved daughters, but then discovered the heartbroken fact that they are not being taken care of,” said Ma Guoyong, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, in an interview with Chinanews.cn.

“The heritage list will promote more thorough research of 20th century architecture in China. It will not only enrich the theoretical system of China’s scientific culture, but also preserve traditional buildings,” said Gu Yu, vice director of China’s State Administration of Cultural Heritage.