Diachronic Commemoration: The Heritagization Routes to the Built Environment Related to Epidemic Events

Abstract

In the post-pandemic era, following the recent global crisis, it is essential to recognize the heritagization pathways of built environments associated with epidemic events. By tracing the evolution of heritage linked to these events, analyzing the characteristics of epidemic-related built environments, and exploring methods of heritagization, this study proposes a foundational conservation principle. The establishment of concepts and components of built heritage during and after epidemic periods can serve as a guide for more effective societal management. These efforts offer valuable insights for addressing major public events and enhancing urban resilience.

1. Introduction

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly swept across the globe, causing immeasurable losses to human society worldwide. Beyond the immediate impact, it has also prompted a reflection on the relationship between public health and the built environment. This “black swan” event has exposed the unanticipated vulnerability of modern society in the face of a pandemic. Consequently, the construction of urban infrastructure, particularly health-focused living environments, has gained urgent attention. As a key component of human settlements, both physical and intangible forms of shelter have taken on heightened importance during the pandemic. On the one hand, these infrastructures have demonstrated their critical role in protecting public health; on the other, they have gained symbolic value that extends beyond their practical function. From a health perspective, pandemics have historically served as significant catalysts for societal evolution, much like the emphasis on health-driven urban planning seen in Marcus Vitruvius Pollio’s De Architectura. Culturally, epidemics also leave behind legacies, representing the complex interplay between humans, their environment, and organizational needs during critical moments in history, and thus carry lasting cultural significance.

Human civilization has been shaped by the presence of epidemics, which have left significant cultural legacies throughout history. One notable example is the Silk Road, a famous heritage route that served as a major conduit for commerce, ethnic migration, and cultural exchanges, connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe in ancient times (Figure 1). While it brought development, prosperity, and opportunities for material trade and cultural integration to the regions along its path, it also facilitated the spread of infectious diseases. Research indicates that the ancient transmission of diseases such as anthrax, leprosy, and plague was closely linked to this trade route [1,2]. At the same time, cross-cultural exchanges directly contributed to the development of medical science. A prime example is the development and spread of the smallpox inoculation method. According to historical records, priests from the Indian subcontinent traveled along the Silk Road to promote a technique they called “tika”, an ancient form of inoculation that can be considered the earliest form of the smallpox vaccine. This method was disseminated through the Silk Road [3].

Epidemics have historically played a significant role in shaping cultures, often giving rise to specific customs that evolve into enduring rituals. These customs frequently manifest as festivals and events that persist over time. For instance, the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival includes traditional practices aimed at warding off pestilence, such as cleaning away filth, hanging moxa leaves, and praying for protection against misfortune. Similarly, the Festa del Redentore (the Feast of the Redeemer) in Venice, which originated following a devastating plague, remains a prominent example of a festival born out of an epidemic. The plague, which ravaged northern Italy and Sicily from 1575 to 1578, claimed between a third and a quarter of Venice’s population and profoundly influenced the city’s civic rituals and architectural traditions. In response, the construction of the Church of the Redentore, designed by Andrea Palladio, began, and the city inaugurated the Festa del Redentore to celebrate the end of the plague. This festival, marked by a temporary pontoon bridge connecting Venice to the island of Giudecca and a grand fireworks display, continues to be commemorated every July, attracting both locals and international tourists [4]. These examples illustrate how epidemic-related prevention activities evolve into cultural customs, highlighting the significant impact of epidemics on both urban and rural folklore.

The built environment related to epidemics gradually acquires collective significance and extended symbolic value. From the perspectives of propaganda, tourism, and civic spirit, certain structures are viewed as symbols of unity among citizens, imbued with additional collective meaning. During and after the COVID-19 epidemic, landmarks such as the Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, Hankow Customs House, Wuhan Railway Station, Huoshenshan Hospital, Leishenshan Hospital, and numerous mobile cabin hospitals frequently appeared in both domestic and international media. These sites were highlighted to foster a sense of civic identity and pride among citizens. As remnants of the epidemic, they have evolved into cultural phenomena, now carrying heritage significance.

As historical monuments, epidemic-related built environments become vital assets, recognized for their significant historical, cultural, and artistic value. These environments are active and unique components of urban landscapes. The memorial significance of these epidemic-related structures deserves careful exploration. Understanding how these built environments contribute to cultural heritage has both theoretical and practical importance. Effective conservation methods for these structures are necessary to meet societal expectations and address the practical challenges of management. This paper seeks to trace the evolution of heritage related to epidemic events, examine the heritage properties of epidemic-related built environments, and explore the process of heritagization. Additionally, it aims to propose initial principles for conservation. China’s response to COVID-19, along with its long history of managing epidemics, offers a unique context for studying the heritagization of epidemic-related built environments. This focus allows for a detailed examination of the global principles of heritage conservation, applied within a specific and impactful context.

2. The Historic Investigation of Epidemic Events

Historically, the West and China have exhibited significant differences in their approaches to epidemic response. The West tended to rely on quarantine, isolation, and scientifically driven public health measures, developing modern medicine based on anatomy and epidemiology, with central governments playing a leading role in implementing these policies. Epidemics also spurred changes in urban infrastructure and the construction of commemorative buildings in the West. In contrast, China relied more on traditional Chinese medicine and local autonomy, using methods such as displacement, relocation, and herbal prevention to combat epidemics, with clans and communities playing crucial roles in prevention efforts. Despite these differences, both regions have ultimately developed four key paradigms of epidemic response: deportation, isolation, prevention, and emergency measures. These paradigms are interconnected and do not follow a simple linear progression; instead, they complement each other, collectively shaping the built environment and societal strategies for addressing public health crises. As understanding and technologies evolved, approaches shifted from passive avoidance to active treatment, leading to the continuous development of related infrastructure and spaces. These shared paradigms reflect how both the West and China, through their distinct yet converging paths, have responded to the challenges posed by epidemics.

2.1. Epidemic and Deportation

Before the awareness of hygiene and epidemic prevention emerged, limited knowledge led people to attribute the occurrence and spread of epidemics to factors such as divine retribution or immoral behavior. In the face of epidemics, people often relied on theomancy for psychological comfort, and patients were frequently seen as the cause of the disease. As a result, they were often exiled and forced into isolation. In many cases, patients were confined to remote areas with inadequate living conditions.

In ancient Rome, around 293 BC, the Senate erected a temple to Asclepius on Tiber Island during a pandemic crisis. Diseased slaves were abandoned there, never to return to society. Similarly, in the 16th century, St. George’s Leprosarium was built in Szczecin, Poland, specifically to house leprosy patients. The authorities deliberately located the hospital at a distance to banish the patients and prevent the spread of the disease. In the 18th century, the wealthier classes often fled to the suburbs to escape pandemics, while the poor were exiled. In the Qing Dynasty of China, historical records document the expulsion of smallpox patients from cities, with these individuals being resettled about 20 km away [5].

2.2. Epidemic and Isolation

With the awakening of hygiene consciousness, the treatment of pandemic patients evolved from simple deportation to a more advanced approach—one that involved establishing medical facilities and buildings within cities, though still maintaining an element of isolation. During epidemics, patients were gathered in designated areas for treatment rather than being abandoned without care.

During the plague epidemics of the 14th century, many Italian port cities temporarily established public health committees to build facilities for quarantining ships and recording the number of infected individuals [6]. In the United Kingdom, several plague outbreaks occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries. In 1518, the London municipality urged infected families to self-isolate, with authorities providing supplies to them. This form of isolation gradually became legalized and institutionalized nationwide, contributing to the eventual decline of the plague in Britain [7]. In his book Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison, Michel Foucault described the isolation measures taken in a small town struck by the plague in the 17th century, where the entire town was transformed into a fragmented, static, and frozen state.

In ancient China, private Yiguan (医馆, clinic) and monasteries provided medical services to local communities, balancing both official requirements and civic needs. As early as 700 BC, authorities established the Yangbingyuan (养病院, recuperating hospitals) to care for the disabled, blind, mute, and other patients. During the Western Han Dynasty, Shiyiyuan (时疫医院, epidemic hospitals) were created to quarantine patients, and by the Tang Dynasty, facilities called Lirenfang (疠人坊, leper yards) were set up to treat leprosy patients. During epidemics, these local private medical shops, monasteries, and official charities worked together to provide care. However, due to limited knowledge and technology, they could only offer basic nursing and were unable to fully prevent or control the spread of pandemics. By the Qing Dynasty, the number of medical facilities had increased significantly, and their role shifted from primarily charitable purposes to regular medical treatment.

In 1910, during the effort to combat a plague outbreak in Northeastern China, the Harbin Health Administration quickly established isolation zones and divided the city into eight districts. Medical officers were appointed to oversee patient care and epidemic prevention, and Russian doctors were invited to provide medical assistance. This plague sparked a major public health revolution in China, laying the foundation for the country’s modern epidemic prevention system.

In modern China, missionary hospitals were established as part of Christian missions’ efforts to use medical care as a tool for spreading their faith. This led to the founding of several of the most advanced hospitals and medical colleges in China at the time. Through the introduction of modern medical technology and nursing practices, hospitals as a distinct spatial form became integrated into Chinese society. One notable example is Union Hospital, affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan. The hospital’s multi-story pavilion-style buildings, featuring side corridors and large glazed windows, were designed with pulmonary disease patients in mind. The clear distinction between private, segregated spaces and public areas within the hospital, evident in the contrast between large and small spaces, reflects the thoroughness and efficiency of the segregation [8] (Figure 2).

2.3. Epidemic and Prevention

As science and technology have advanced, so has our ability to understand and manage pandemics. The introduction of the smallpox vaccine marked a significant shift from mere isolation to proactive prevention, signaling a new era in epidemic control. Epidemic management moved towards a more normalized approach, and the design of medical spaces began to evolve in response to new scientific theories and treatments.

People began to consciously modify the built environment to prevent the spread of pandemics. The focus on hygiene and epidemic prevention led to the development of systematic urban planning mechanisms and the construction of related buildings and facilities. In the mid-19th century, the cholera outbreak prompted London to officially initiate a sewer renovation project in 1859, resulting in the world’s first modern urban sewer system. The City Park Movement during this period was also influenced by the epidemic, leading to the creation of numerous parks and significantly impacting cities across Europe and America. In 1880, British engineer Osbert Chadwick visited Hong Kong and reported on the housing situation to the colonial government in 1882. He recommended improvements in ventilation, lighting, drainage systems, and the establishment of a sanitation inspection system (Figure 3). After the 1894 plague epidemic in Hong Kong, the Medicine, Hygiene, and Building Ordinance was enacted, mandating citywide cleaning and house reconstruction plans. This ordinance provided detailed guidelines on lighting, ventilation, and sanitation in various buildings [9].

Preventive attitudes played a crucial role in the reform of medical spaces. In the 1920s, Beijing’s municipal government, with assistance from Beijing Union Hospital, established the first Public Health Demonstration Plot. John B. Grant, an American public health expert, introduced principles of preventive medicine to reorganize urban spaces. The Public Health Demonstration Plot not only transformed citizens’ living habits and daily behaviors but also brought significant changes to the spatial structure and components of the city [10]. In recent years, Evidence-Based Design (EBD) has been increasingly applied in hospital building design to incorporate principles of epidemic prevention. This approach aims to improve the physical environment of hospitals, scientifically reduce internal infections, and enhance the overall health conditions of patients [11].

2.4. Epidemic and Emergency

Despite significant advancements in medical research and scientific study, numerous health challenges still persist. The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of our vulnerabilities, revealing the limitations of human society in the face of such crises. In this battle against the epidemic, various conceptual, technological, biological, and other factors are interconnected, forming an interdependent, networked world. Humans, alongside the technological tools and methods aimed at combating the virus, become actors within this network, interacting and influencing each other along with the virus. Viruses, as external actors that disrupt existing social systems, have a profound impact on the connectivity and isolation of different spatial levels within cities. Global human mobility makes it impossible to completely contain infectious diseases through localized prevention efforts. Additionally, the sudden outbreak of an epidemic necessitates the rapid creation of a wide variety of emergency spaces, such as specialized hospitals, mobile cabin hospitals, and virus testing facilities. For example, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, it took just two weeks to construct the Wuhan Huoshenshan and Leishenshan Hospitals, providing 1000 and 1600 beds, respectively, using modular construction methods. Furthermore, the importance of epidemic monitoring systems, telemedicine, telecommuting, e-business, and government became evident in isolation scenarios. Consequently, urban infrastructure such as CCTV networks, internet systems, and logistics have been emphasized in the development of urban emergency systems.

2.5. Brief Conclusion

Human society has developed four distinct paradigms to address epidemics, each leaving enduring marks on the built environment that serve as significant historical testimonies. These remnants, regarded as a form of heritage, merit preservation within our conservation systems. Given their lasting impact, it is crucial to carefully consider the value, components, and methods of conserving these epidemic-related environments and to integrate them into broader urban management strategies. The historical analysis of epidemic events reveals recurring patterns in the development of built environments in response to public health crises. Understanding these patterns provides a foundation for systematically categorizing and conserving epidemic-related heritage, a process that will be further explored in the following section.

3. The Heritagization Theory Construction of the Built Environment Related to Epidemic Events

Building on the historical investigation of epidemic-related built environments, this section delves into the theoretical foundations of heritagization. By categorizing the different types of heritage and identifying their associated values, this section aims to establish a framework that can be applied in the analysis of specific case studies.

3.1. Values of the Built Heritage Related to Epidemic Events

Epidemic-related built heritage includes built environments that are directly or indirectly connected to epidemic events. These encompass buildings, facilities, infrastructure, districts, and landscapes—both physical and intangible—that possess significant historical, technological, cultural, and emotional value. Through the process of historic heritagization, these once-common built environments gain Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as a result of their association with epidemic events [12].

• Historic values

These built heritage sites serve as testimonies to critical epidemic events, possessing unique historical significance. As carriers of the collective spirit in the fight against pandemics, these environments represent an essential part of a city’s history.

• Technology values

Epidemics have historically driven technological advancements, particularly in the field of medicine. Confronted with deadly epidemics, treatments often reflect the most advanced medical technology and scientific achievements of the time. The continuous struggle between humans and epidemics has led to significant improvements in medical knowledge and the development of integrated medical systems. In terms of the built environment, epidemics have accelerated advancements in rapid construction techniques, adaptive transformations, lightweight structures, and telemedicine, leading to a more efficient, effective, and intelligent construction system.

• Cultural values

The collective experience of combating an epidemic is preserved as a unique memory, embodying stories, events, people, places, and scenarios that contribute to a shared cultural spirit. This cultural value is communicated through songs, books, movies, and built heritage, making a profound impact by encouraging those facing similar challenges, promoting improvements in public health systems, and enhancing social welfare mechanisms.

• Sentimental values

Built heritage related to epidemic events holds the collective memory of citizens, fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging. This mutual identification instills a sense of diligence and unity among citizens, reinforcing their connection to the past and to each other.

3.2. The Properties of the Built Heritage Related to Epidemic Events

Built heritage related to epidemic events is deeply intertwined with daily life, embodying commemorative, emergency, and regular properties.

• Regularity property: collective aggregation

Epidemic-related built heritage plays an active role in the daily lives of citizens, maintaining a strong connection to the community. On the one hand, these built environments serve as essential infrastructure for society, functioning as public resources that support communal living. On the other hand, they are crucial in collective efforts during emergencies. While an individual cannot combat a pandemic alone, these environments enable collective action, representing the synergy of political, economic, legal, cultural, and medical factors.

These remnants of epidemic events possess a regularity property, reinforcing a unique collective memory. They are open and accessible to all citizens, free from discrimination, and serve multiple, active roles with clearly defined functions. Furthermore, these built heritage sites demonstrate durability and resilience, adapting to shifts between regular daily use and emergency situations. Their ability to continuously function and transform is vital in responding to crises.

The regularity property can also be understood as both frequent and progressive. In everyday life, these environments fulfill their designated functions, benefiting the general public. As science and technology advance, these built environments evolve and optimize themselves, ensuring they remain relevant and effective [13].

• Emergency property: transient variable

Due to the urgent nature of epidemics, most heritage sites related to these events are constructed in a very short time, with some even repurposed for temporary new uses. Many of these sites are adaptable, functioning in both peacetime and emergency scenarios, and exhibit dynamic change. As such, these heritage sites are crucial supplements to a city’s emergency management capabilities.

• Commemorative property: symbolic sites

Heritage sites related to epidemic events often become symbolic representations of significant public health crises. As carriers of collective memory, these built environments serve as historic monuments that remind people of their past experiences and encourage society to prepare for future challenges. These sites have the potential to become important symbolic locations for future commemoration.

3.3. The Space Types of the Built Heritage Related to Epidemic Events

Based on the features and components of the associated built environments, epidemic-related heritage can be categorized into conspicuous factors, latent factors, and affiliated factors.

• Conspicuous factor of epidemic events

These spaces have a direct and close relationship with the epidemic during its early, middle, or later stages. They are the locations where the primary battle against the epidemic occurred, suffering the greatest impact and damage. Conspicuous factors mainly include designated hospitals that were central to the response efforts.

• Latent factor of epidemic events

These built environments have an indirect connection to the epidemic during normal times, particularly before the outbreak. During the epidemic, these spaces are endowed with collective significance, often through adaptive reuse or renovation. They may be repurposed for prevention, nursing, diagnosis, and treatment, gaining additional functions and value in the fight against the epidemic. Examples of latent factors include stadiums, exhibition halls, community offices, and especially mobile cabin hospitals.

• Affiliated factor of epidemic events

During an epidemic, certain locations such as historic landmarks, train stations, and expressway entrances become symbols of the cities affected by the epidemic, acquiring special meaning. Although these built environments may not be directly connected to the epidemic, they serve as testimonies to the unity and solidarity of the people, playing a crucial role in encouraging and inspiring citizens.

3.4. Heritagization Under the Principal of Authenticity and Integrity

• The authenticity of the built environment related to epidemic events

Most of the hospitals, cabin hospitals, and other related built environments are alive in common life. While the hospitals are in service and have undergone great and regular reconstruction and most of the hospital departments transformed into serving a regular function, the authenticity of these built environments is vital in its function, rather than every part of its constitution.

• The integrity of the built environment related to epidemic events

The built environment related to epidemic events is a series of components; hence, its heritagization needs to be viewed in a systemic way, rather than from an isolated perspective. Every built environment plays a special role in the epidemic, while together they work for or against the disease.

Having established the theoretical framework for the heritagization of epidemic-related built environments, the study now applies these principles to the specific case of Wuhan, China. The following section explores how these concepts manifest in a real-world context, providing both validation and refinement of the theoretical insights.

4. The Case Study of Built Heritage Related to Epidemic Events in Wuhan

After examining the historical evolution and heritagization of epidemic-related built environments, this section applies these principles to the specific case of Wuhan, China. By analyzing key sites such as Huoshenshan Hospital and mobile cabin hospitals, this section explores how these concepts manifest in a real-world context. This case study not only validates the theoretical insights but also refines the application of heritagization principles, highlighting their significance for the preservation and interpretation of epidemic-related heritage in an urban environment. The COVID-19 epidemic, with its unprecedented scale, population exposure, and duration, presented a severe challenge to urban public hygiene, medical systems, and emergency management capabilities. While the epidemic caused significant losses, it also provided valuable lessons. As life in Wuhan returns to a more stable path, the study of built heritage related to the COVID-19 epidemic holds both theoretical and practical value. These heritage sites can foster unbounded confidence among citizens, accelerate recovery, enrich local cultural wealth, and stimulate the regional economy.

By examining the built environment in Wuhan, we can identify the related heritage sites (

Table 1. Space types of the built heritage related to epidemic events in Wuhan.

Paradigm of Epidemic Built Heritage	Related Built Environment
Conspicuous Factor	designated hospital
	Leishenshan Hospital, Huoshenshan Hospital (Specialized Hospital)
Latent Factor	mobile cabin hospital
	museum
	Organization of the Red Cross
	neighborhood committee
Affiliated Factor	Yellow Crane Tower
	Yangtze River Bridge
	Hankou Railway Station
	Hankow Customs House

) (Figure 4). However, preserving this type of heritage, particularly the conspicuous and latent factors, presents challenges. These spaces serve as direct testimonies of the epidemic and embody the spirit of China’s fight against COVID-19. Unfortunately, they have often been overlooked in recent commemorative activities. Affiliated built heritage sites, such as the Yellow Crane Tower and Yangtze River Bridge, are commonly recognized as symbols of the epidemic. This situation calls for reflection on how we conserve and showcase epidemic-related built heritage. The approach to intervening in various types of heritage should be based on their specific characteristics, with a nuanced and gradated approach.

4.1. The Routinization of Conspicuous Factors

During the COVID-19 epidemic, 61 fever clinics and 9 designated medical institutions were established, according to the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission. Among these, Leishenshan Hospital and Huoshenshan Hospital served as the primary battlefields against the virus. In the post-pandemic era, these institutions have become integral parts of the urban landscape (Figure 5). On one hand, these medical institutions are active components of the urban hygiene system, operating regularly as hospitals and research centers dedicated to studying epidemics. Their ongoing function in healthcare and research strengthens the city’s resilience. On the other hand, these conspicuous factors serve as monuments to the events, providing authentic spaces for commemoration. Regular exhibitions should be arranged at these sites to preserve the city’s memory and educate the public. A similar approach can be observed in Japan’s Noguchi Eishinen Museum of Infectious Diseases, the country’s first permanent museum dedicated to infectious diseases (Figure 6). The museum aims to convey the knowledge and experiences related to infectious diseases that humanity has accumulated from ancient times to the present day.

4.2. The Narration of Latent Factors

During the COVID-19 epidemic, 16 large-scale stadiums, exhibition centers, factories, and warehouses were converted into mobile cabin hospitals to temporarily accommodate patients with mild symptoms and asymptomatic cases (Figure 7). Although these were not professional medical facilities, they played a crucial role in treating the majority of patients and alleviating widespread societal concerns. These makeshift hospitals serve as important evidence of China’s scientific approach to combating the epidemic. As significant components of the event, they act as carriers of collective memory and the spirit of resilience during the crisis (Figure 8).

Some scenes from these locations during the epidemic should be preserved to help future generations understand the events and learn from them. For example, in mobile cabin hospitals, a few beds and signs could be kept as part of a historical exhibit. A similar approach can be seen in the Franja Partisan Hospital, a secret medical facility in Dolenji Novaki near Cerkno in western Slovenia. This hospital was part of a well-organized resistance movement against the Italian Fascist and Nazi German armies (Figure 9). Today, the reconstructed site serves as a museum and is protected as a cultural monument of national significance. Another important latent space during the epidemic was the community office, which provided basic goods, assisted the elderly, and became the setting for many touching stories. Some of these locations could be transformed into small exhibition areas displaying items used during the epidemic. The Red Cross could organize health training classes there, and volunteers could share their experiences. These spaces would help strengthen neighborhood cohesion and foster a sense of community identity. Latent spaces are crucial for understanding the strategies and mechanisms employed during the epidemic. They hold significant cultural meaning for the future.

Temporary installations, such as tents used as testing sites during the epidemic, represent a category of ephemeral yet significant locations that hold important collective memories for local residents. To preserve these memories, various approaches can be considered, such as relocating the entire structure to a suitable site for restoration in its original form or redesigning it using the original materials. For instance, the Serpentine Gallery in London features a temporary structure erected annually on the gallery’s lawn, which is dismantled each year and often reused or recycled elsewhere. Another example is the People’s Pavilion in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where all materials were borrowed from local suppliers and residents. The plastic tiles on the building’s upper façade were made from recycled household waste collected by the community, embodying the collective spirit of collaborative building (Figure 10).

4.3. The Symbolization of Affiliated Factors

Although these locations may not have played a direct role in combating the epidemic, they are symbolic landmarks of the city and are closely associated with the disaster. Examples include the Yellow Crane Tower, Yangtze River Bridge, Hankow Customs House, Hankou Railway Station, and East Lake. In public messaging, these sites represent the united spirit of the community, reinforcing the historical significance of the events (Figure 11). Activities such as quick-flashing light shows held at these locations can enhance both their cultural meaning and their connection to the epidemic. As symbols, these affiliated factors can work in conjunction with the more direct conspicuous and latent factors to form a comprehensive built heritage system.

5. Discussion and Conclusions

Human history has always been intertwined with epidemics, which have brought both physical and intangible losses, as well as valuable lessons and cultural heritage. In the post-pandemic era, it is essential to recognize the built heritage left behind by these events. This paper has aimed to define the scope of such heritage, understand its values, identify its components, and establish principles for its preservation and intervention. The study has shown that epidemic-related built environments can be comprehended through a coherent framework that integrates historical analysis with theoretical insights. The case study of Wuhan exemplifies how these principles can be applied in practice, underscoring the importance of a structured approach to heritagization.

Epidemic-related built heritage is a unique aspect of our built environment, encompassing various collective and functional spaces that are integral to daily life. These spaces are adaptable, capable of responding to sudden outbreaks while balancing their inherent functions with temporary uses. As such, they should be regarded as historical monuments deserving of preservation. The establishment of built heritage related to epidemic events can contribute to creating a more people-centered society. It enables us to develop a more comprehensive understanding of our experiences with epidemics, fostering a constructive attitude toward these challenges. Second, this heritage empowers us by offering a dignified perspective on history. Finally, these sites strengthen the connection between daily life and historical memory, making history a tangible part of our present and future. Epidemic-related built heritage stands as a new landmark for a better future. The more thoughtfully we engage with our history, the less likely we are to repeat past mistakes.