Tuning sales pitch to celebrities' homes(3)

The conservation and protection of buildings of the past require the cooperation of various parties, said Chen Fei, an engineer with the National Research Center of Historic Cities.

Buildings with rich cultural heritage, aesthetic merit and historical value should be protected or renovated to fit today's needs, depending on reasonable planning that balances conservation and development, Chen said. But such protection or development may be subjected to many factors including ownership, cost, expropriation of land and planning philosophies.

"The compound of Xintiandi actually sets a good example, as various departments work together to make it both modern and original with little change to the original building," Chen said

The Xintiandi area highlights local Shanghai-style residential buildings that have been transformed into high-end hotels, shopping malls and restaurants.

Conservation in various areas in Shanghai also requires specific planning methods to fix current problems.

Some residences might need to improve their quality with better amenities and larger living spaces, while others need to balance old and new buildings to cater toc current ommercial needs, Chen said.