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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Suzhou heritage building reuse

A B C D

Figure 4. Comparison of before (upper panels) and after reuse (lower panels): (A) Temple of Literature. Source: Photos by Suzhou Jicheng Cultural Heritage
Construction Engineering Co., Ltd. (historical) and from the Internet (https://www.hellorf.com/image/show/hi2240829368?utm_source=bdimg&utm_
content=local&utm_term=hi2240829368) (contemporary). (B) Wusa Road. Source: the Internet (historical: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/-
z_7nZrlojiXT1LlUsbItA; contemporary: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qIYZyIIBzPM6KfMg-YO4iQ). (C) Wansheng Rice Company. Source: from the Internet
(https://www.xiaohongshu.com/explore/62cab3840000000010029e3d?xsec_token=ABQZnob1O_TJh3I7vCcCcSYcmUuuhNQMDMCaubomIq99M=&xsec_
source=pc_search) (historical) and photo by Jiangsu Blue Garden Co., Ltd (comtemporary). (D) Zhirenli. Source: the Internet (https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/
FiNnI3Fd2pM7bK96NbUfSg?poc_token=HC16v2ajJ5UCRish6Yhl9TaUyVra6P-dwVHT-Fp8).

In the case of “heritage as warriors to serve the country,” introduced to enhance the daily convenience of residents.
heritage not only commemorates the history of a nation’s The renewal process adheres to a progressive methodology,
establishment but also reflects how the spirit of democracy elevating environmental quality and addressing the varied
contributes to its progress, which is vital in guiding the needs of the community residents.
new generation to better serve the country. For instance, In the case of “heritage as fuels to revitalize the industry,”
the Wusa Road, a historic district built in the 1920s with heritage that once incubated the earliest regional industry
a significant revolutionary history (Guo et al., 2021), has today has become the base for traditional industries
witnessed several residents’ self-management initiatives revitalized with modern technologies and sustainability
since 2014. In the absence of government intervention, practices. For example, the reuse project of the Wansheng
residents of the community, organized under the resident Rice Company, originally built in the early 20 century
th
committee, have autonomously established various for the sale and storage of grain (Guo, 2014), carries the
projects and formed working teams to address needs such historical memory of Suzhou’s prosperous rice trade. This
as environmental enhancement, cultural activities, and project reconfigured the old buildings into a museum and
elderly care. Residents have truly become the protagonists cultural innovation hub, introducing the new economic
of the community. These initiatives include daily model of “stalls.” This transformation utilized open spaces
maintenance of heritage buildings (the establishment of
the volunteer service team), mapping of historical houses to establish market stalls and exhibitions, serving as a
platform to support local cultural brands and enterprises,
(“My Neighborhood,” a project documenting historical infusing fresh economic vitality into the community.
and old house culture), and more (Gusu Government, Simultaneously, it offered more cultural and leisure
2021). Wusa Road seamlessly integrates conservation
principles into the daily life of the community, fostering activities for local residents. During the renovation process,
self-management and resulting in a vibrant and cohesive historical structures were preserved to create new spaces,
neighborhood. In addition to resident self-governance, and materials from some old buildings were recycled
for new use (e.g., floor coverings), which minimized
the Suzhou government has undertaken comprehensive
planning for the Wusa Road community. On the one construction waste, honored the traditional industry with
hand, catering to the younger demographic, the infusion new revenue, and promoted sustainable operations.
of interactive media and artistic installations has swiftly In the case of “heritage as resources to enhance the
transformed the community into a tourist hotspot, thereby city,” historical residential buildings that used to shape
revitalizing the community. On the other hand, diverse the appearance of the city today symbolize a progressive
businesses, including retail outlets and markets, have been concept of “social justice” through contemporary efforts in

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 11 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2158