Reviving Traditional Villages Workshop
Project Leader: Cao Yongkang，School of Design
Project Location: China (Zhejiang, Shanxi, Yunnan) and Italy
Between 2018 and 2023, with the support of the "Global Challenge Program," the "Reviving Traditional Villages" workshop focused on issues such as the increase of rural depopulation and lack of economic vitality. The workshop conducted in-depth research on numerous traditional villages in both China and abroad that feature unique cultural landscapes and are well-preserved. However, many of these villages face serious challenges such as population outflow, reliance on single-industry economies, and the urgent need for historical building restoration.
Guided by real-world challenges, the project team developed a series of actionable strategies aligned with local economic development levels. These included infrastructure improvements, architectural renovation, and village revitalization plans, all designed to address the urgent needs of endangered traditional settlements. The goal was not only to safeguard these cultural landscapes, but also to explore sustainable and practical pathways for their long-term preservation and renewal.
Over the course of several years, the project team investigated more than 400 historic buildings, engaged in conversations with over 150 local residents, and hosted 15 thematic workshops. They compiled a visual archive of over 7,000 photographs and subsequently produced 8 village revitalization plans, 3 infrastructure optimization designs, and 11 architectural conservation and adaptive reuse proposals. In addition, they delivered numerous research reports, policy recommendations, and 30 cultural and creative outputs and outreach materials. Through concrete actions, the project embodies the vision of a "shared future for humanity."
