Historic districts are the cultural rings of a city, engraved with memories of the past and carrying the vitality of the future. Protecting and inheriting historical districts is to safeguard the soul of the city. Avoiding a one size fits all approach in the process of modernization and allowing historical context to be inherited and developed in contemporary life - this is a common challenge faced by cities around the world. Recently, reporters visited cities in countries such as Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and Poland to explore their practices and experiences in this field. Hamburg, Germany - Creating a Modern Port New City with a Historical Sense Strolling along the riverside walkway of Hamburg Port New City, Germany, feels like being in a picture of time and space interweaving: one side is a modern architectural complex outlined by glass curtain walls, and the other side is a historical building in red brick Gothic style, vividly interpreting the unique positioning of the coexistence of history and modernity in the Port New City. The Hamburg Port New City is located on the island of Grassbrook south of the city center, covering a planned area of 157 hectares. Construction began in 2001 and is expected to be fully completed by 2030. By then, 8000 apartments will be built here, accommodating 16000 residents and creating 45000 job opportunities. Hamburg Port has a century long history and was once one of the busiest ports in Europe. Docking, warehousing, logistics, and freight trade were once the pillars of the city's economy. Hamburg warehouse city, the most historic city in the region, has retained the original style and features of the red brick buildings in the reconstruction, and was selected into the UNESCO The World Heritage List in 2015. In the planning process, we specifically designed multiple north-south paths between the east-west main roads, which not only facilitate pedestrian traffic but also allow the historical style of the warehouse city to be seen at any time. ”Henrik Thompson, spokesperson for Hamburg Port New City Development Company, introduced that the historical imprint of Hamburg Port can be seen everywhere in the new city: the 19th century port crane stands in front of the modern apartments, the brick red exterior walls of the warehouse city are scattered throughout the block, and the port museum and maritime museum, which were transformed from old warehouses, have become important windows to showcase Hamburg's shipping history. The 110 meter high Yibei Philharmonic Music Hall has become a landmark work of the integration of old and new in the Port New City. The original site here was a fortress shaped warehouse that was over 30 meters high and used to store tea, tobacco, cocoa, and more. Thompson said that during the renovation, the team preserved the original appearance of the warehouse to the greatest extent possible, and even the lifting frame used to lift goods was not modified. Nowadays, the red brick base blends seamlessly with the lightweight glass building above, making this concert hall a new cultural landmark in Hamburg. Unlike some cities that prioritize commercial value in their development, Hamburg Port New City has focused on livable goals since its inception. This area used to be dominated by ports and industrial land, with almost no living infrastructure, so we have made building a diverse and harmonious community our core goal from the beginning of planning. Thompson said that the new city takes into account the needs of different groups in housing supply: there are luxury apartments for high-income groups, ordinary residences suitable for middle-income families, and affordable housing that guarantees basic needs. At the same time, residential, office, commercial, cultural, and educational facilities are integrated within the region, allowing residents to meet their daily commuting and living needs by walking or cycling, effectively reducing the phenomenon of "sleeping in the city"; The balanced layout of surrounding supermarkets, restaurants, and medical stations further enhances the convenience of life. The Port New City implements the concept of "citizen participation in planning" in its construction. Before planning and designing, we have solicited opinions from surrounding residents and institutions multiple times, taking into account public opinion on everything from the selection of amusement facilities to the proportion of green areas. Thompson said that the new city will also regularly hold architectural design competitions, inviting citizens to propose design concepts and functional requirements around the "future living environment". Making citizens participants in urban construction rather than bystanders is the key to building a livable new city. "Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Making history tangible in modern cities. At noon, in the Afadi Historic District on the Dubai Bay in the UAE, a yellow rammed earth house is warm and cozy, and the Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Understanding Center is holding a" cultural lunch "here. More than 20 foreign tourists sat around the Bedouin style carpet, tasting Arabic style meals while asking questions about Arabic coffee ingredients, hand drawn patterns of Haina, local cultural customs, and other topics. The staff patiently answered each question one by one. Dubai gives people the impression of being very modern and pursuing novelty. However, in fact, the local area also attaches great importance to the inheritance of traditional culture and has a rich and diverse history, "said Rotika, a tourist from Los Angeles, USA. The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding has been dedicated to promoting the dissemination of UAE culture since its establishment in 1998. The 90 minute "Cultural Lunch" event launched by the center has a ticket price of 145 dirhams (approximately 275 yuan), which, although slightly expensive, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions. The Afadi Historic District, where the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding is located, is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Dubai. In recent years, multiple museums, galleries, and activity centers have been built in the neighborhood through renovation and reconstruction. The block will organically combine protection and restoration, strictly adopting traditional craftsmanship, such as using coral reefs as building materials to restore buildings, and fully preserving iconic features such as the Arab style wind tower group. The ancient buildings such as Al Fadi Fort in the neighborhood have been revitalized and transformed into cultural facilities such as the Dubai Museum. Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan stated during his inspection of the progress of the Afadi Historic District project, "We must strive to integrate rich history into a dynamic future." In recent years, Dubai has actively promoted the cultural heritage and development of historic districts. After the implementation of Dubai's "Afadi Restoration and Revitalization Strategy" in 2022, the development direction of protecting the old appearance and attracting global cultural and artistic figures has been further clarified. Not long ago, Hamdan officially launched the "Dubai Heritage" program, which collects and organizes stories and life experiences from various sectors of society, records the development process of the city, and safeguards cultural roots. Hamdan believes that "Dubai heritage is not only a memory of the past, but also an inspiration for future development. We must cherish every story of this city and let Dubai's cultural roots continue to shine in the changing times." "Dubai has developed into a bustling global center, but has always been committed to preserving traditional culture. ”Shahab Shayan, Director of International Operations for Dubai Tourism and Business Promotion in the Asia Pacific region, stated that Dubai is currently advancing the D33 economic agenda, aiming to build Dubai into a top tier city for tourism, living, and work. Protecting history is an important part of realizing this vision, and we hope to build a city where history and modernity coexist harmoniously, allowing tourists to experience the beauty of integration, "said Shahab Shayan. Krakow, Poland - Building a Sustainable Future in Protection. Strolling through the Central Market Square in the old town center of Krakow, Poland, vintage carriages slowly pass by, and the sound of horse hooves treading on the cobblestone road is crisp and pleasant. After experiencing the weight of history at the Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory, you can turn around and enter the contemporary art museum full of design. The seamless connection between the past and the present is precisely the unique charm of this city. Krakow, located in southern Poland, was included in the The World Heritage List in 1978 and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2000. As of now, the city has over 1200 registered historical sites, and more than 7000 buildings have been included in historical records. In order to protect these historic sites, Krakow set up the Social Committee for Historic Site Restoration shortly after being included in the The World Heritage List. Its main function is to promote the restoration of historic sites in the World Heritage Area. The funds are mainly from other Polish cities or industrial enterprises. From 2019, the subsidy scope will be further extended to municipal historic site listed buildings. The core idea for protecting historical buildings in Krakow is to cleverly transform them into hotels, cultural centers, and offices, rather than demolishing them. For example, the Krakow Museum of Engineering and Technology located in the Kazimierz district used to be a tram garage; Some ancient streets and alleys in the city have transformed into fashionable pedestrian streets, filled with exquisite restaurants, street gardens, and artistic murals. After a systematic restoration, the Royal Castle of Wawel is now open to the public as a national museum. During the interview, a new restoration plan worth 3.5 million zlotys (approximately 6.77 million yuan) was underway around the castle, including strengthening the fortress walls and constructing new internal sanitation facilities. At the level of urban planning, Krakow has established clear protection boundaries based on the principle of preserving the authenticity of cultural heritage: radiating outwards from the central market square, and defining the core area of the historical center of the old city with the Pranti Park surrounding it; Strictly restrict the construction of modern high-rise buildings around the core area, ensuring unobstructed visibility and fully preserving the original cobblestone walkways and building outlines of the ancient city. It is precisely this kind of planning that allows the artistic beauty of the medieval Renaissance to naturally blend with the pace of modern urban life, without any discordance. Krakow's historical and cultural heritage combines diversity, comprehensiveness, and continuity. Historical and cultural heritage drives urban development, while urban development provides new interpretations of heritage. ”Local scholar Jacek Prhra, who has personally experienced the protection and planning of multiple urban heritage sites, said that Krakow is no longer an ancient city "stuck in the past", but a mirror that showcases the vibrant cultural heritage in heritage protection and sustainable development. (New Society)