In June 2024, Politecnico di Milano and Xi’an Jiaotong University established the Sino-Italian Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Urban and Rural Heritage Conservation and Regeneration in Xi’an, within the framework of the XJTU-POLIMI Joint School.
Approved by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology, the laboratory was created with the aim of developing innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to the conservation, regeneration and sustainable enhancement of urban and rural heritage, bringing together academic research, digital technologies and field experimentation.
Mission
The mission of the Joint Lab is to develop and test methods and tools for the sustainable regeneration and enhancement of urban and rural heritage through:
- multidisciplinary academic research;
- the use of digital technologies, including HBIM, GIS and AI;
- the development of sustainable regeneration strategies and technical – scientific consulting services for villages and historic settlements;
- the integration of cultural, environmental and social values into planning processes;
- the development of replicable models of academic and institutional cooperation.
Main Activities
- Research: development of joint projects dedicated to the conservation and regeneration of urban and cultural heritage;
- Education: seminars, workshops, teaching activities and opportunities for collaboration at PhD level;
- Fieldwork: site visits, surveys and field research activities in historic sites and villages;
- Collaborations: development of partnerships with academic institutions, local authorities and national and international organisations.
Team
Prof. Zhai Binqing | P.I. Xi’an Jiaotong University
Prof. Ilaria Valente | P.I. Politencnico di Milano
Project Management
Prof. Barbara Galli | Project Manager | DABC
Prof. Gerardo Semprebon | Project Manager | DAStU
Prof. Daniele Villa | Project Manager | DAStU
Researchers and Collaborators
Lorenzo Ceccon (DAStU), Anna Dalla Valle (DABC), Zachary M. Jones (DAStU until 2026), Angelo Lorenzi (DABC), Maria Cristina Loi (DABC), Maurizio Meriggi (DAStU), Gianfranco Orsenigo (DAStU), Marco Patruno (DAStU), Pierluigi Salvadeo (DAStU), Gerardo Semprebon (DAStU), Luigi Spinelli (DAStU), Erica Ventura (DAStU), Salvatore Viscuso (DABC)
Events
19 June 2026 – Exhibition “Baishe Village: An Ongoing Story From On-site Fieldwork to Future Design Strategies” – Milan Building
Opening of the exhibition dedicated to the research developed by the Joint Lab in Baishe Village. Curated by Professors Lorenzo Ceccon and Gerardo Semprebon, the exhibition presents the field research pathway launched in 2025 and reflects on possible future strategies for the conservation and regeneration of yaodong settlements.
Read the article about the Baishe Village exhibition
12–14 June 2025 – First International Conference on the Sustainable Conservation and Regeneration of Historic Urban and Rural Heritage | ICRSE 2025 – Xi’an, iHarbour Innovation Campus
The first international conference promoted within the framework of the Joint Lab, dedicated to the sustainable conservation and regeneration of historic urban and rural heritage.
7 June 2025 – Second Field Visit to Baishe Village
Second research mission to Baishe Village, including meetings with local representatives, the collection of additional data and the identification of areas of particular historical, cultural and architectural value for the development of future pilot projects.
Read the article about the second field visit to Baishe Village
21 April 2025 – First Field Visit to Baishe Village
The Joint Lab’s first research mission to Baishe Village, a historic settlement in Sanyuan County selected as a case study for the analysis of rural heritage and the development of sustainable regeneration strategies. During the visit, surveys and data collection activities were carried out.
Read the article about the first visit to Baishe Village
November–December 2024 – Joint Field Mission in Shaanxi
Field mission to the historic villages of Yunzhen, Fenghuang, Judge Temple and Manchuanguan Town, aimed at analysing local cultural heritage and identifying strategies for sustainable enhancement and development.
27 November 2024 – First Academic Seminar – Milan / Xi’an
The first joint academic meeting between the Italian and Chinese partners, featuring the presentation of pilot projects and a discussion on the main strategic themes of the Joint Lab.