A woman takes a photo of an art exhibit at Dali’s Fantastic Universe exhibition in a building on 18 East Zhongshan No 1 Road two years ago. GAO ERQIANG / CHINA DAILY

Officials turn to the introduction of art spaces at the Bund to keep historical buildings relevant

Two art galleries will be unveiled in buildings along the Bund this June as part of efforts to preserve heritage architecture while bringing historical relics closer to the masses.

Located at 18 and 27 East Zhongshan No 1 Road, the galleries would be exhibiting high-end oil paintings and admission would be free, said Gong Deqing, chairman of Shanghai Jiushi Group, the company responsible for the management of historical buildings on the Bund.

"We've talked much about the protection of such historical buildings in recent years. At the same time, we also need to find new solutions to empower them with novel functions in order to keep them alive," Gong was quoted as saying by Shanghai-based Jiefang Daily.

"The current layout of luxury stores occupying the front row of buildings on the Bund gives the impression that the area is exclusive for a small group of people, but the Bund should belong to everyone. More members of the public should be walking into, not just around, these buildings to appreciate them," he said.

According to the municipal government's master plan to turn Shanghai into a global city and a modern cosmopolis by 2035, authorities will expand on the protection of historical and cultural buildings and strive to preserve architecture, spatial patterns and neighborhood landscapes that would fully reflect the geographical and cultural characteristics of the city in the past.