A panel of experts will evaluate the historical and cultural value of old buildings that face demolition or are at a risk of being damaged in Shanghai, the city's planning authority announced yesterday.
The move comes on the heels of a recent report that some unlisted historical structures were demolished despite protests by residents. The historical building near Changzhi Road E. in Hongkou District was over 100 years old. It was demolished in September even though experts had said the well-preserved wooden structure was of value.
However, the Shanghai Planning and Land Resources Administration said it had made several efforts to save valuable historical buildings that had not yet been listed as protected structures.
"We pledge to save every newly found cultural relics across the city," Yu Sijia, the chief engineer with the administration, said yesterday.
A panel of four experts or more will be formed and sent to the site to assess the historical value of any structures that are at a risk of demolition or damage.
Decisions will be taken within two weeks on whether to save the buildings from wrecking balls while reconstruction or demolishing work will be suspended immediately.
The city government has declared 426 structures as protected buildings in a new list this year. It takes the total number of listed structures to 1,058, Yu said. The listing ensures legal protection.
"The number is still far short compared to London and Paris which have over 10,000 historical buildings under legal protection," Yu said.
The new list covers a wider field and includes villas, residential houses, industrial relics, university campuses, century-old parks and even a former police station, said Hou Binchao, deputy director with the historic heritage department of the administration.
The administration is setting up a website and will detail all the listed buildings with pictures and informations about them, Hou said.
"Many historical buildings that have been hidden behind old residential communities are being discovered after the surrounding structures are torn down," Yu said, adding that the number of protected buildings will keep increasing.
