Tongji University as host, the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (Shanghai) under the auspices of UNESCO, the Built Heritage journal, the Heritage Architecture journal, are organizing the 1st International Conference of the International Network for Urban-rural Heritage Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI) entitled ‘Reshaping Heritage Conservation in Higher Education: What, How, for Whom?’ from 25-26 October 2025, in Shanghai, China.

The International Network for Urban-rural Heritage Conservation in Higher Education Institutions (UHC-HEI), established and promoted in 2023 by Tongji University and the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region, Shanghai Centre (WHITRAP Shanghai) aims to contribute to reshaping educational practices and to the ongoing discussion on the role and function of heritage in development processes within the global policy dialogue on culture, education and development.

The Conference will offer a platform to discuss on new international experiences, concepts and trends in the field of education on urban-rural heritage conservation. The Conference will gather first-class keynote speakers, together with international scholars and practitioners. The Conference will provide special relevance to contributions by early career researchers and students.

The Conference will be chaired by Prof. Chang Qing, Professor of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Prof. Shao Yong, Secretary General of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITRAP) and Director of WHITRAP Shanghai, Professor, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, and Prof. Zhang Peng, Professor, Vice dean and professor of College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, will be the co-executive chair of the conference.

- Tongji University

- World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (Shanghai) under the auspices of UNESCO

- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University

- Built Heritage journal

- Heritage Architecture journal

The Conference will be organized in five sessions with the following themes:

• Session 1. History of heritage conservation education, theory and practice: This theme will offer the opportunity to review past experiences of education on heritage conservation. They could include the analysis of contents and methodologies of past education programs; the history of systems of transmission of knowledge in traditional construction systems, etc.

• Session 2. Theories and methodology of heritage conservation education: This theme will analyze current trends in both areas, offering a particular insight on the alignment between conservation education programs and philosophies of heritage conservation. It will also offer the opportunity to compare approaches and their implementation in different cultural, social and economic contexts.

• Session 3. New technologies for heritage conservation education: This theme will offer an insight to modern trends such as Artificial Intelligence, the use of Big Data, novel experiences of representation and modelization, in their application to experiences of education on heritage conservation.

• Session 4. Traditional knowledge and heritage conservation education: This theme will explore the realm of non-regulated education represented by traditional knowledge. It will offer an insight on its long-term practice and contemporary transmission, as well its integration into regulated education systems.

• Session 5: Youth and the futures of heritage conservation education: This theme will bring contributions by students, young scholars and emerging professionals, working on the field of heritage conservation education. It will particularly highlight initiatives developed in cooperation with communities, where academia adopts a hands-on approach with clear effects on tangible and intangible matters.

The Conference has an open call for abstracts and papers. Abstracts and papers will be peer reviewed (double blind) by members of the Scientific Committee of the Conference.

Accepted and presented papers will be published in the Conference Proceedings, book with ISBN. And the best papers will be recommended for publication in related academic journals such as Built Heritage and Heritage Architecture.

The official language of the Conference will be English. Paper proposals will be submitted in English. The Organization will provide simultaneous English-Chinese translation for all sessions.

• 30 September 2024: Conference announcement and call for abstracts

• 30 November 2024: Deadline of call for abstracts

• 15 January 2025: Notification of acceptance of abstracts

• 30 April 2025: Deadline of full paper submission

• 15 July 2025: Notification of acceptance of full papers

• 25-26 October 2025: Conference

The Organization will develop a series of activities related to the Conference, and within the framework of UHC-HEI Network.

• Before the Conference: ICOMOS CIAV-ICICH Workshop to be held in a traditional village in Yunnan Province. Please pay attention to subsequent relevant announcements.

• During the Conference:

 UHC-HEI Steering Committee meeting.

 International Student Design Award

•  After the Conference: Technical visits to be held in and around Shanghai.

For queries related to the Conference, please contact conf_uhchei@whitr-ap.org and specify “Question” in the e-mail Subject

Attachment:

1.  _Pre notice Call for paper UHC HEI Conference 25_26 October 2025

2.  _Abstract Template UHC HEI Conference 25_26 October 2025