Preservation, Production and Reproduction:

Urban Heritage Transformation around the World

Xi' an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)

Suzhou, China

August 29th – 30th, 2025

Conference Organising Committee

• Prof Xiaoling Zhang, HoD, Department of Media and Communication, School of Humanities and Social Sciences; Co-leader for the Heritage and Communication cluster, CCCS Research Centre, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), China
• Dr Adam Brillhart, Department of Architecture, Design School; Co-leader for the Heritage and Communication cluster, CCCS Research Centre, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), China
• Dr Kerry Traynor, Department of Communication and Media, Associate Dean for Education, School of the Arts, University of Liverpool; Chair, Interdisciplinary Research Group for Liverpool City Region, the UK
• Dr Liu, Chanjun, HoD, Department of International Communication, School of Journalism and New Media, Xian Jiaotong University, China
• Prof Yu Song, Director, the XIPU Institution, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), China

Conference Overview & Call-For-Papers

We are pleased to announce a call for papers for the upcoming conference, Preservation, Production and Reproduction: Urban Heritage Transformation around the World. This conference invites scholars from a variety of disciplines to explore the dynamic relationship between preserving cultural heritage and fostering urban growth. Our goal is to understand how cities worldwide balance heritage preservation with economic development, social cohesion, and sustainability. By gathering diverse perspectives, this conference seeks to redefine how heritage shapes the future of cities and contributes to policies, education, and practices that support both cultural continuity and urban innovation.

We invite case studies that explore the balance between economic development and cultural heritage preservation, as well as papers examining how heritage not only connects to the past but also evolves in the present, guiding future directions. Comparative studies, whether in one presentation or in the form of panels, are especially welcome. Through a strong integration of theory and empirical research, we aim to push the boundaries of existing knowledge, reframe our understanding of "heritage," and contribute to the development of public policy, education, and sustainable strategies in heritage preservation and urban development.

We encourage papers (written and presented in English) to engage with topics that offer pathways for understanding how heritage preservation can be leveraged for economic benefits while ensuring sustainability and cultural integrity. The theme can be approached from a variety of perspectives and approaches, including but not limited to the following:

• Balancing economic development and heritage conservation
• Development pressure and heritage conservation
• Heritage preservation and social cohesion
• Heritage preservation and sustainability
• Building/rebuilding cultural infrastructures
• Cultural heritage and a changing cityscape
• Narratives of urban transformation
• Community engagement in heritage conservation and urban growth
• Heritage as a catalyst for cultural and creative economies
• Measuring the economic impact of heritage preservation
• Appearance and disappearance of urban cultural heritage
• Development of heritage sites and community development
• Technology and heritage: Innovations in preservation
• Heritage tourism and sustainable economic models
• Public-private partnerships in heritage conservation
• Ethical transformation of heritage
• Heritage policy, governance, and urban planning

Submission Guidelines

• Max 250 English words for individual paper abstracts
• Max 300 English words for panel abstracts, in addition to 250 word abstracts for contributing papers
• Please include the following information in your submitted abstract/panel proposal: name, title/position, email add., institutional affiliation, attendance mode (onsite encouraged)

PhD Candidate Scholarship Applications

To encourage research in this area among young scholars, the organizing committee is pleased to announce three PhD candidate scholarships. The award will cover the conference fee, 3 nights’ accommodation, and any local cultural activities organised by the conference committee.

For those who hope their papers to be assessed for PhD Scholarships, you should submit a full paper not less than 6,000 words in English (excluding abstract and bibliography) on any subjects addressing the conference theme.

Important Dates

Planned outputs