PROTECTING Shanghai's rich architectural heritage, especially in rural areas, is the aim of a new action plan being drafted, city planners said at a meeting yesterday with political advisers. “We will work out the general targets, content and priorities of the protection plan,” said Zhuang Shaoqin, director of the Shanghai Planning, Land and Resources Administration. “One of the key research studies we will do is on protecting the urban historic sites, including famous towns, villages and other areas with traditional historic features.” The plan, part of a three-year (2016-2018) heritage protection program, was undertaken after Party chief Han Zheng asked the administration to shift its focus from protecting single buildings to entire historic neighborhoods.