Beijing delineates the boundaries of the central axis protection zone

The protection of Beijing's Central Axis has taken a new step forward. The Beijing Central Axis Protection and Management Plan (2022-2035) was recently published and implemented, which for the first time specifies the specific scope of the Central Axis protection area boundaries, with a total area of 51.3 square kilometres for the heritage area and buffer zone; Beijing will also promote the overall protection and revival of the old city on the basis of the city itself, using 20 landscape corridors on the Central Axis and several cultural exploration paths to preserve the memories of the old city.

The total area of the heritage zone is 5.9 square kilometres

The Beijing Municipal Bureau of Cultural Heritage introduced the Plan as one of the necessary materials for the declaration of Beijing's Central Axis as a World Cultural Heritage Site, and its publication and implementation will play a "ballast" role for the effective protection and management of Beijing's Central Axis cultural heritage.

The heritage of Beijing's central axis is characterised by its diverse connotations, diverse carriers and wide distribution. The Plan takes into account these heritages and their surroundings in a holistic manner, delineating the conservation areas into heritage zones and buffer zones in a rational manner. The 7.8-kilometre-long Beijing Central Axis runs from the Bell and Drum Tower at its northern end, southwards through the Wanning Bridge, Jingshan, the Forbidden City, Duanmen, Tiananmen Square, the Outer Jinshui Bridge, Tiananmen Square and its architectural complex, Zhengyangmen, the remains of the southern section of the Central Axis road, to Yongdingmen at its southern end; the Temple of the Gods and the Temple of Social Justice, and the Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Synod are laid out symmetrically from east to west on both sides.

According to the Plan, the 15 constituent elements that carry heritage values, and the necessary connecting areas between them, make up a total heritage area of approximately 5.9 square kilometres. The buffer zone covers a wider area, including the area around the heritage area and closely linked to the formation and development of Beijing's central axis, with a total area of approximately 45.4 square kilometres.

A three-tier management structure for heritage protection at the national, municipal and district levels will be formed to better coordinate and promote the interface between heritage protection and urban construction. At the same time, the Plan also sets out strategies to encourage and support property owners, local residents, foreign visitors, experts and scholars, and the general public to enhance the effectiveness of the whole community's participation in heritage conservation.

20 view corridors in an orderly manner

The Central Axis is the soul and backbone of Beijing's old city, so a series of conservation measures have been taken to preserve the nostalgic memories and feelings of the citizens of the old city.

The Plan specifies that the heritage protection objects of the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Area and Buffer Zone mainly include the historical and cultural districts and other patches of traditional cottage areas, landscape corridors and the city skyline, historical city outlines, historical streets and alleys, urban landmarks or iconic groups of buildings, historical river and lake systems and water cultural heritage. The heritage area and buffer zone involve four administrative districts, namely Dongcheng District, Xicheng District, Fengtai District and Chaoyang District, with a residential land use ratio of about 26% and a resident population of about 840,000; more than two-thirds of the entire length of the central axis is surrounded by historical and cultural districts, involving 33 historical and cultural districts and a total protection area of about 19.3 square kilometres.

Taking into account the interdependent and mutually supportive relationship between Beijing's Central Axis and the Old Town, the Plan emphasises the protection of the heritage environment of the Central Axis through the overall protection of the 'city' to achieve the multiple objectives of optimising the functions of the area, improving people's livelihoods and enhancing the environment; thus achieving the overall protection and revival of the Old Town. The heritage buildings of Zhengyangmen can co-exist harmoniously with the rain swallows, making the 20 view corridors along Beijing's central axis accessible and orderly.

Preliminary formation of cultural exploration paths along the Central Axis

The Plan highlights that Beijing will establish a comprehensive exhibition centre with a general exhibition at the Capital Museum, together with thematic exhibition centres for each heritage element, special cultural stations along the route, and a number of cultural exploratory paths to form a system for interpreting and displaying the values of the Beijing Central Axis. At present, the cultural exploratory paths along the Beijing Central Axis have been initially constructed, with the Bell and Drum Tower to Yongdingmen being accessible on foot, and a variety of transport options available along the route, including Metro Line 8, the Dangdang Bus, Beijing Sightseeing Line 1 and Line 2 buses, to meet the needs of the public and visitors.

Digital technology will empower the preservation and transmission of cultural heritage. The Plan specifies that a heritage monitoring system will be established to a high standard to monitor the state of heritage preservation and the state of the natural and social environment, and to improve the level of preventive conservation management; to build an information system for heritage archives, to carry out research on key issues, and to deepen the understanding and knowledge of Beijing's central axis and the old city of Beijing. At present, the heritage conservation units in the constituent elements of Beijing's central axis heritage have all established comprehensive heritage archives containing the scope of heritage conservation, sign descriptions, record files, and a special agency or designated person responsible for their management.

Source: <//www.stufic.com/news/view?id=13533&cid=12>

Translated by Gong Ye