Foreword

The research presented in this volume is the result of a project started in 2017 by Gerardo Semprebon, in collaboration with Politecnico di Milano and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. It focuses on the recovery of traditional Chinese villages in the context of China's Beautiful Villages initiative, a policy aimed at revitalizing abandoned rural areas affected by mass urbanization. The study explores the balance between preserving heritage and modern interventions, with a particular focus on Zhangyang village. Semprebon conducted extensive field research, combining Italian architectural analysis with Chinese perspectives, studying morphological and typological aspects, collecting testimonies, and engaging in academic discussions. His approach challenges conventional notions of "traditional" and "vernacular" in Chinese rural architecture. The research highlights qualitative strategies for architectural regeneration and contributes to a broader discussion on China's rural transformation.