Professor Li Chien-Lang has devoted himself to the interpretation of cultural assets and the promotion of reserving traditional architecture since the 1970s. During these years, he has endeavored to conserve the old buildings and reduce the demolition of historic buildings as much as possible. As a driving force, he continues to push ahead the movement for conserving Taiwanese cultural assets. In 1981, the Taiwanese Executive Yuan, the highest official government department, established the Council for Cultural Affairs (CCA). Next year, the CCA enacted the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act. Professor Li, who served as the examiner of Taiwanese historic buildings, has handled a number of historic sites’ conservation and reviews. Among them are some famous sites such as the 300-year-old Fort San Domingo, the 100-year-old Han family temple Chen De-Xin Hall, the 100-year-old Yin Shan Temple, etc. Professor Li emphasized that we should “let the old buildings describe their own stories.” In this sense, we must preserve the historic buildings well and pass down their stories to future generations. That is how our offspring may see human wisdom at different times.

Under the protection of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act, the destruction of historic buildings has been slowed down, but the law-making speed will never catch up with the fast changes in human thoughts. Complicated review procedures of historic architectures usually take over 10 years to complete. To speed up the review procedures, Professor Li suggests rescuing traditional buildings through the concerted efforts of the entire local community, and Dadaocheng in Taipei City is one of the most successful examples.

Taipei City hotel Source: Detective of Historic sites	St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City Source: Detective of Historic sites