A new joint laboratory has been established at the Joint School of Design and Innovation: the “Sino-Italian Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Urban and Rural Heritage Conservation and Regeneration.” This initiative stems from the collaboration between Xi’an Jiaotong University and the Politecnico di Milano. The project aims to develop innovative solutions for the protection, conservation, and enhancement of cultural, urban and rural heritage.

On November 27, 2024, the first academic seminar dedicated to the Joint Lab was held at the Milan Building of the Joint School of Design and Innovation. The event brought together prominent academics committed to strengthening scientific cooperation and fostering the training of new talents. Key participants included professors Zhai Binqing, Zhu Shanyao, Xu Yishan, Qi Yingtao, and Wang Jia, alongside Mariacristina Loi, Barbara Galli, Angelo Lorenzi, Daniele Villa, and Maurizio Meriggi.

The seminar served as a crucial platform to discuss new research projects. Building on a strong foundation of cooperation, the XJTU team, represented by Professor Zhai Binqing, collaborated with Italian faculty members under the coordination of Ilaria Valente, head of the academic team at the Politecnico di Milano. The initiative also benefited from the contributions of prominent institutional partners, including the Shaanxi Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Northwest China Architectural Design Institute.

The seminar also marked the beginning of a joint field survey conducted at the end of November. This survey aimed to analyze the state of cultural heritage and propose strategies for its enhancement through sustainable tourism. Among the sites visited were Yunzhen Village, FengHuang, Judge Temple Village, and Manchuanguan Town. During meetings with local representatives, the need emerged to create a database for monitoring conservation activities and to develop digital models for managing historic villages.

This Sino-Italian collaboration represents a significant step forward in cultural heritage protection, bringing together academic and institutional expertise to address global challenges in conservation and development.

The Sino-Italian Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Urban and Rural Heritage Conservation and Regeneration stands as a virtuous example of innovation and international cooperation.