Conservation of Beijing Central Axis, Sun yan

The conservation of Beijing Central Axis
The impact evaluation of contemporary architecture from the perspective of HUL
LU, Zhou
SUN,Yan (Speaker)
National Heritage Center,Tsinghua University
NHC THUNATIONAL HERITAGE CENTER . Tsinghua University

Cultural Heritages of Beijing
historic center:
- 6 world heritage sites
2 sites in the old city centre
- 43 conservation districts
33 districts in the old city centre
- around 100 national cultural
relics

The main concerns on heritage conservation of Beijing
1. How to build up an inter-related heritage system based on these
individual monuments, sites and districts?
2. How to assess the integrity of the attributes?
3. How to evaluate the impact of contemporary architecture?
The HUL approach can help us to
Understand the values of BCA in a more wider perspective
Build up a more comprehensive heritage system
Evaluate the new construction on BCA integrity from a dynamic view of city development

The case of Beijing central axis
The old city of Beijing was ﬁrst built during the Yuan Dynasty (mid-13th
Century), and further developed and perfected during the Ming and Qing
Dynasties (14th Century to early 20th Century).With eight hundred years
of urban development, it is now the largest imperial capital city in China
and Beijing Central Axis was always its core spatial pattern and the best
preserved area.
Beijing Central Axis, extending 7.8 km from south to north of old Beijing
city, is an urban landscape complex exempliﬁed by its meticulously
planned spatial organization. It can be seen as the most typical, most
complete example of an ideal city plan stated in 'Zhouli Kaogong
ji' (Records of Craftsmenship of rituals in Zhou dynasty), representing the
Chinese philosophy of 'harmony between man and nature'.
Beijing Central Axis also serves as an epitome that controls the
development of Beijing city over the long-term. Even in nowadays' urban
development, it has still received full respect.
Bell tower
Drum tower
Jing Mountain
Forbidden city
The alter of land
and grain
The temple
of ancestor
Zheng'yang Gate
Temple of agriculture
Temple of heaven
Six Lakes District
The area of Beijing Old city
The Central Axis of Beijing

The city plan of Rome
The case of Beijing central axis
Not a real road
Central Axis =Control line

1.The understanding of HUL and its application
in Beijing Central Axis

In the UNESCO Recommendation on Historic Urban Landscape (2011), the concept of HUL was stressed as
"a landscape approach for identifying, conserving and managing historic areas within the broader urban
contexts". HUL also suggests an integrated approach of civic engagement, knowledge and planning, regulatory
system, ﬁnance.
As we understand “urban historic areas as the result of long term- and still ongoing - dynamics and conceives
of change - social, economic and physical”, the HUL approach “stresses the link between physical form and
social evolution, deﬁning historic cities as a system integrating natural and man-made elements, in an
historical continuum, representing a layering of expressions throughout history” (F. Bandarin and R. van
Oers, 2012).
Thus HUL approach gives us a new view to understand and conserve the values of historic cities, it
emphasizes:
1) the spatial system of urban heritage, which means the inter-relationships among physical forms, the spatial
organization, land-use pattern, natural features and settings are more important than one single monument;
2) the historic layering of diverse values and attributes of the evolving urban development;
3) the inter-action between the urban place and the local community, with their long-term social, cultural,
economic values and activities.

• The values of Beijing central axis should be
considered from its regional geography and the
chinese traditional urban planning philosophy;
Values
Property
Identiﬁcation
Urban
Conservation
• Beijing central axis is not a group of
buildings, but a complex ensemble of
the urban patterns, lake system,
public infrastructures, cultural
p l a c e s w i t h c l o s e i n t e r-
relationship of the topography
and hydraulic features;
• Beijing central axis not only emphasizes
the ancient elements, but also stresses all
attributes of its successive
evolving processes;
•The conservation should not be limited to the physical
forms of urban heritage, but emphasize：
• the relationships between built heritage
and the surrounding environment；
• the visual connections;
• the long-term land use pattern and the
sustaining of cultural places.
The application of HUL in the case of Beijing central axis

2.The values of Beijing Central Axis

The values of Beijing Central Axis
1-A long tradition of Respecting the 'Center' Place
In traditional Chinese culture and political systems, ideas like
'Regarding Center as [Place] for Respect (yizhongweizun)'
took a prominent position. Chinese emperors considered
themselves as the descendent of heaven, their capital city had
to be the very center of the world.
The location of Beijing just reﬂected this ideal central axis of
China: it was at the "center of the earth" in the axis composed
by the great mountains in the east area of China. Beijing
central axis was the miniature of this ideal relationship which
revealed the traditional concept of the harmony between
heaven (god’s world) and an human being’s world.
The ideal Central Axis of China—Ming dynasty, ﬁrst proposed by Zhu xi
In Song dynasty (14th century), the great philosopher
'Zhu Xi' proposed a central axis of China which came
across the east part of the country. The axis started
from 'Tian shou' Mountain in the north and ended at
the mountains in south east area.
'Kun lun' Mountain
'Tian shou' Mountain
Beijing
'Tai shan' Mountain
Mountain in South-east areas
Mountain in 'Huai nan' areas
River

2－A Reﬂection of the ideal city model of capital
In traditional urban planning practices, there are two most inﬂuential theories. One
is the ideal capital city model written in the chapters of ‘Jiang’ren ying’guo
(Craftsmen Constructing the State)’ in ‘Zhou’li Kao’gong Ji’ (Records of Craftsmen
of Zhou Rituals) during the Spring and Autumn Period.
The ideal capital city model of China：
"When building a state capital, (the crafts) creates a square
(city) of nine li (length dimension) on each side with three
gates on every edge.
In the city, there are nine north-south avenues and nine east-
west streets.The avenues are nine carriage tracks wide.
On the left (east side of city) is the ancestral temple and to
the right (west side) is the altar of land and grain.
In the front (south of city)is the court palace and the
behind(north of city) is the market."
The ideal city in "zhouli kaogongji"
'Zhouli Kaogong ji' is the records of Craftsmenships rules and
rituals in Zhou dynasty (around BC 8th century-BC 5th
century).In the chapters of "Jiangren yingguo (about Craftsmen
Constructing the State)", itillustrated an ideal capital
city for ancient Chinese emperors.

The city planning of Beijing is one of the best example
following chinese ideal capital model in "Zhou'li Kao'gong'ji"
while Beijing central axis is the most representative and well
preserved urban pattern.
The main heritage elements of Beijing Cenntral Axis
following the ideal city model in "Zhou'li Kao'gong'ji"
'Yong'ding' Gate
Temple of HeavenTemple of Agriculture
Forbidden city
The temple of
ancesters
The market area
The alter of
land and grain
Beijing Old cityThe image of Beijing in Qing dynasty
2－A Reﬂection of the ideal city model of capital

The values of Beijing Central Axis
Beijing Central Axis is a representative miniature of the idea "being in the center of the world",
which was close related to the whole territorial planning, revealing the ancient Chinese
philosophy.
Beijing Central Axis is a historic and architectural complex exempliﬁed by its meticulously
planned location, intact spatial layout, unique land use and characteristic. A perfect synthesis
where one can observe the visual, functional, morphological and cultural relationship. Beijing
Central Axis shows the systematic and creativity of urban planning concept in ancient China:
the ideal capital model proposed by ‘Zhou’li Kao’gong Ji’ in Zhou dynasty, the principles of
‘Guan Zi’ in the Spring and Autumn period and etc.
Beijing Central Axis serves as an epitome of China's planning of a capital city that has been
evolved over thousands of years, where the highest level of artistic achievement in the design
and construction of a capital city during Ming-Qing period is still evident today.

3.The integrity of Beijing Central Axis attributes

1. the spatial system of urban heritage:
• site’s topography, geomorphology, hydrology and
natural features;
• important public infrastructures;
• open spaces;
• visual relationships...
HUL approach emphasizes the conservation of three
aspects of urban heritage
2. the time-depth of urban heritage:
• the driving forces in different development process
• historic and contemporary built environment
3. the inter-action between the place and community:
• land use patterns;
• social and cultural practices
• the associated intangible heritages
The integrity of Beijing Central Axis
1.An integrated urban spatial system:
• topography and hydrology features;
• urban patterns;
• public infrastructures;
• well preserved historic buildings;
• visual relationships;
2.The intact historic layers of urban development:
evolution fromYuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, to the
Republic of China and People's Republic of China；
3.The long-term sustaining land-use and culture
places:
• typical land use areas revealing Beijing traditional
urban life;
• representative cultural places
• the relationship with important historical events

1－The spatial system of Beijing central axis
The close relationship between the built heritage and the
topography and hydrology features of Beijing:
-the mountains in the north-west;
-Wen'yu river in the north-east and theYong'ding river in the
south-west area of the city;
-the 'six lakes' areas with its natural characters;
The hydrology system of Beijing
Yong'ding River
Wen'yu River
North moatSix lakes area
South moat
Mountains in the north-
The topography and hydrology
features of Beijing

The importance of topography and hydrology features in the urban landscape of Beijing central axis

The urban pattern and public infrastructures
Bell tower
Drum tower
Jing Mountain
Forbidden city
The alter of land
and grain
The temple
of ancestor
Tian'an'men
square
Zheng'yang Gate
Temple of agriculture
Temple of heaven
Yong'ding Gate
The urban pattern and public infrastructures of
Beijing Central Axis constitute the most remarkable
morphological character in Beijing old city. It
coordinates and orders the relations among the
imperial places, altars, markets, streets, and even the
Tian’an’men square architectural complex.
City Gate
(Disappearing)
Main street

The different character of public infrastructures in Beijing Central Axis

The important visual relationships：
-the aerial view
-the pedestrian view
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1 2 2
3 5 7

2- The historic layers of urban development
Yuan Dynasty
1272-1368
Ming Dynasty
after 1553
Qing Dynasty
1636－1911
Center of the city
The formation of Beijing Central axis
Moving the city area to the south of 'Da'du'
Extending the central axis to the south
Respect the urban pattern of Ming
Maintain and rebuilt the important buildings
The location of the center of the city
The formation of the north section of
Beijing Central axis
The regeneration of Zheng'yang Gate area
The design of Tian'an'men Square
Recent Development
1911-today

3- Traditional land use and culture places
Four urban landscape areas with traditional land uses:
(South to north)
1)The place of worship outside Forbidden City, fromYongding
Gate in the south to Zhengyang Gate;
2) The modern political center, Zhengyang Gate to Tian'anmen
Square;
3) The imperial "Halls and Palaces", from Forbidden city to Jing
Mountain, and three lakes in the south
4) The "Market" and residential area - Drum Tower, Bell Tower,
Nan'luo'gu lane, IncliningYan'dai street, and the lakes.
The four areas make up a representative picture scroll of Beijing
Urban 'Landscape', presenting the vicissitudes about the city and
people.
1
2
3
4

Four areas with different urban landscape characters: fromYong'ding Gate to the north
jing Central Axis Urban Landscape

From Zheng'yang Gate to Tian'an'men Square

The imperial "Halls and Palaces"

The "Market" and residential area:
A typical image of civil life in Old Beijing

The proposed nominated property and buffer zone
The zone of nominated property includes the overall urban pattern,
the important public infrastructures, the six lakes areas, and the well
preserved historic streets and constructions. The zone also covers all
the main elements of its historic processes from Yuan, Ming and Qing
dynasties to the Republic of China and People's Republic of China.
The buffer zone is consisted by the existing buffer zone of the
Forbidden City and the temple of heaven, which will control the
development in wider city area, preserving the visual relations of the
system.
Total conservation area
(property+buffer zone): 5143.44 ha

4.A Critical Review of Contemporary Architectures on BCA
3 Cases
1960s-1970s, Tian'an'men square and the surrounding political buildings
1998, the Opera House of Beijing
2005, the rebuilt ofYong'Ding Gate

The approved urban conservation regulations on Beijing historic center
Old city center
Conservation plan for the historic city
of Beijing,2002
The hydrology features of Beijing historic city
The visual relationships (no high buildings)
The building height control requirement
Conservation
areas
Conservation planning of historic
areas in Beijing old city, 2001
Conservation plan for the imperial city
of Beijing, 2004
The preservation of existing urban patterns(road
system)
The six types of maintenance and regeneration
strategies of different buildings
Cultural relics
The management regulations on the
cultural relics areas, 2007
Conservation areas
Built control areas
(The height control+building density control)
Picturesque image
Uniﬁed building form
The height control+building density control+land use adjustment

The visual relationships of Beijing historic city
---from 'Conservation plan for the historic city of Beijing'
The height control of the areas outside of
conservation areas in Beijing old city area
12m
18m
24m
30m

Cultural relics conservation: the control requirements on
conservation areas and built control areas
Conservation areas: the requirement of the ‘law for the
preservation of cultural relics’；
Built control areas: five types
Type 1: no construction area;
Type II: one floor high area, height<3.3m, density<40%;
Type III: height<9m, density<35%;
Type IV: height<18m;
TypeV: specific built control areas.
The conservation areas and built control areas of
Beijing Imperial City
National cultural relics
Built control areas type I
Built control areas type II
Built control areas type III
Built control areas type IV
Built control areas typeV

1960s-1970s, Tian'an'men square and the surrounding political buildings
1998, the Opera House of Beijing
2005, the rebuilt ofYong'Ding Gate

Tian' an' men
Monument to the People‘s Heroes
Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
Zheng'Yang Gate
Great Hall of the People
History Museum
The transformation of Tian' an' men Square
1952-54
The dismantlement of East and West Chang' An Gate
The dismantlement of the red walls, the expansion of south square
1959
The target of building the largest plaza in the world
The dismantlement of the Chinese Gate
The construction of the Great Hall of the People, the History Museum
and the Monument to the People's Heroes
1914 The dismantlement of Qian' Bu Corridor
1976 The construction of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall

Tian' an' men square before 1915 with the Qian' Bu Corridor Tian' an' men square in 1915 with the red walls of Imperial City
The location of Great Hall of the People before its construction The Zhong Hua Gate and the Monument to the People's Heroes

The Tian' An' Men Square of Today
๏ The historic urban context
๏ The traditional building heights
✓ The Ideology of Beijing Central Axis
✓ Land-use/ Symmetrical building form

The ﬁerce debate on the plan of National Opera House
The location of National Opera House
In 2000, a report criticizing the design of National Opera House from 49 academicians and 108
experts made this event become the headlines of media and induced a ﬁerce and long-term debate.
The criticize mainly focused on the following aspects: the cost much beyond the budget; the
security issue caused by the irrational design; and the disorder brought by the too
avant-garde design in historic context. In order to evaluate the result of this event, we
need to comprehend the whole process of decision making.

The process of National Opera House design competition
1958 The location(to the west of Great Hall of the People) was chosen by the
central authority. However, because of the political and economical reasons,
the project did not carry out at that time. The area was remained as
traditional residential buildings.
1998 The NOH project was proposed again CPPCC and was passed through by the
state council.
The international competition on architecture design invited public biding and
the design of Paul Andren was chosen after two selections.
Land area: 118,900 sq meter
Total construction area: 149,500 sq meter
Investment budget: 2688,000,000RMB (336 million Euro)
2000 The criticizes from academicians and the wide debate of experts and public
2001 A series of expert meetings in 2001 urged Andren modify his plan, reducing
the investment budget, solving the emergency problems and etc.
The ﬁnal project was ofﬁcially approved by the central authority and experts,
the construction work was started at the end of 2001.
2007 The completion of New National Opera House

The architecture designs of National Opera House, Beijing
The design from Tsinghua University The ﬁrst and second design from Terre Farell & Partners (UK)
The selected design of Paul Andren
The requirements of urban planning on NOH
In 1998, the conservation plan for the historic city of Beijing
was not drawn up, the new construction mainly controlled by
the master plan of Beijing.This document only deﬁned the land
use of the site (for public infrastructure) and the max height
(less than 30m). In this case, all these requirements were
followed by the architectural designs.

The perspective from Mountain Jing before (left) and
after (below) the construction of National Opera House
✓ The building height/ Building density
✓ Land-use function
๏ Visual integrity
๏ The urban pattern (morphology scale)
๏ Local identity
๏ The environmental micro-climate (glazing materiel)

The History and Rebuilt ofYong' Ding Gate
1564
The expansion of Beijing Inner City from 1553 and the
construction ofYong' Ding Gate in 1564
Yong' Ding Gate:The beginning of BCA
1950-1957
The dismantlement for the development of transportation
2004
The Rebuilt ofYong' Ding Gate and the plaza as the beginning point
of BCA
22,000 sqm.
3 football stadium
A hanging garden over the 2nd ring road of Beijing

6 Beijing Central Axis Urban Landscape✓ Rebuilt the Cultural Icon of the city
✓ More public greenery
๏ Not Authentic
๏ Not human-comfort morphology scale
๏ Not respect the need of local community
๏ No close inter-action with community
๏ Huge expenditure for routine maintenance

5. Conclusions and further improvement

The omission of existing urban planning strategies
If comparing the existing urban planning strategies with the HUL approaches applied in Beijing
Central Axis, it could be noticed that we need more solid urban conservation strategies on spatial
planning, the natural features, urban pattern and the visual relationships.
Today's measures still focus on the physical heritage, to some extent we ignore:
- connections of different properties or areas;
- more various aspect of components for the place characters;
- and the inter-action between physical heritage and people.
The HUL approach provides us a wider and more inter-related perspective to consider the values
and heritage attributes of Beijing central axis. With the view of HUL, a new frame of time and
space to identify the heritage attributes can be built, and a signiﬁcant heritage system of Beijing
Central Axis could be established which will link the existing national, administrative cultural and
natural heritage of Beijing.

The omission of existing urban planning strategies
For the existing urban conservation planning system of Beijing Central Axis, the following aspects
need to be improved:
1. The change of height control requirements in the buffer zone for the preservation of visual
relationships
2. More guidances on preserving the space characters and feeling by urban designs
-the continuity or variation of spaces in the axis
-the relations of cultural places with traditional land use or intangible heritage
3. More places open for the public in order to create more opportunities for public participation

The evaluation criteria of contemporary architecture project
Objective criteria
✓The building height control requirement
✓The building density of the site
✓Traditional land-use/ Function
Subjective criteria
๏The various aspects of historic/ cultural character of the site
๏ (urban pattern/building material/ scale/ techniques/ pedestrian feelings[Eco]...)
๏Visual integrity on spatial dimension
๏The social beneﬁt of the project for the community

Conclusion
Thinking on HUL approach from the Chinese practices
Since the publication of UNESCO Recommendation on HUL in 2011, this concept and approach
have aroused a wide discussion in the ﬁeld of heritage conservation and urban planning. In the
meetings about this theme last year, a common consensus on HUL still needs further debate.
Some experts believe that the 30-years practice of historic and cultural city (and village)
conservation in China shares some similar principles with HUL approach: both try to quest an
integrated conservation approach for historic cities. And some of the new ideas emphasized by
HUL approach, such as the importance of land use, visual relationships and etc. have already been
noticed in urban planning strategies of China, though lack of speciﬁc management strategies or
tools.Therefore, the creativity of HUL approach and its effectiveness in Chinese context still need
to test in practices.

Thanks for listening

Conservation of Beijing Central Axis, Sun yan

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