Nanjing and Istanbul Swap Heritage Lessons, Urban Fixes

Officials and scholars from Nanjing and Istanbul met in Istanbul this week for a two-day dialogue on heritage conservation and urban development. The event, co-organized by China's State Council Information Office and the Chinese Embassy in Ankara, drew more than 100 representatives from local governments, international organizations, and academia.

Both cities face similar pressures as fast-growing metropolises with ancient fortifications. Nanjing's 14th-century Ming Dynasty walls rank among the world's longest surviving. Istanbul's 5th-century city walls originally stretched 22 km; restoration continues on the remaining 7.2-km section.

Lu Andong, a professor at Nanjing University's School of Architecture and Urban Planning, said the dialogue focused on "how civilization is passed down and innovated through cities." He noted that preserving living heritage – from Istanbul's Yedikule Bostans to Nanjing's historic neighborhoods – is as vital as archaeological engineering.

Huriye Merve Gedik, head of the City History, Promotion and Tourism Department of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, called the dialogue an important platform for sharing experience. "Even though we are thousands of kilometers apart, getting to know each other's architecture and history nourishes both sides," she said.

Once connected by the ancient Silk Road, the two cities are forging new ties through heritage cooperation. Participants said the exchange underscored a shared commitment to passing historical heritage to future generations.