A dedication to guardians of porcelain

Speaking of the unique value of Jingdezhen as a World Cultural Heritage site, he says, unlike any other city, Jingdezhen has thrived for 1,000 years on its porcelain industry. While Venice's glass industry had a brief period of success, Jingdezhen's craftsmanship continues to thrive, with tens of thousands of artisans still engaged in handmade production. "This makes it one of the most vibrant examples of living industrial heritage worldwide," he says.

The book illustrates how Zhang and his team have transformed the city over the past 15 years.

Reflecting on the transformation of areas like Taoxichuan and Taoyangli, Zhang notes that, unlike many industrial heritage sites that become mere tourist attractions, Jingdezhen's renewal efforts focus on the real needs of the residents, veteran artisans and young creators. Instead of large-scale demolitions, they have preserved the original structures of old kilns and factories, allowing history to be a part of everyday life, he adds.

Zhang also emphasizes the "cultural and green integration" approach in urban renewal. This involves using existing factory structures to minimize new material consumption and employing recyclable materials, such as kiln bricks, to promote low-carbon practices. This strategy preserves historical continuity while meeting the lifestyle needs of modern youth.

"This approach, which balances heritage protection with youth development, offers a valuable model for urban renewal projects nationwide," he says.

Since Jingdezhen's handmade porcelain heritage is a complete, regionally dispersed chain, with production and life deeply intertwined, illustration requires a different approach, says Song Zhuangzhuang, co-founder of DDH Studio and executive producer of the book.

Apart from the chapters about Jingdezhen, the team also dedicates a whole chapter to porcelain, compiling vast amounts of glaze colors, dynastic reign marks, and hand-drawn diagrams of the 72 porcelain-making processes, he explains. Additionally, the large-format pages allow for horizontal comparison of hundreds of porcelain patterns, enabling readers to understand the complex ceramic techniques visually.

He notes that in today's world of fragmented information, Cidu Hui invites readers to engage in immersive reading. Through two-dimensional hand drawings, it integrates scattered heritage sites and craft knowledge, clarifying the intrinsic connections between landscapes, minerals, kilns, and human habitation.

"This makes the complex knowledge of world heritage accessible and readable," he says.