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Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Residents’ perspectives on heritage strategies

cultural protection duties, adopting instead an indulgent gentrification.” This phenomenon involves an increase in
and dismissive management approach. In China, the the socioeconomic status of land users and corresponding
homogenized business model of historical city renewal not changes in the architectural landscape due to reinvestment
only sacrifices cultural, historical, and esthetic values but in fixed capital (i.e., buildings and infrastructure) (Clark,
also dilutes historical memory, blurring the historical value 2004). Large developers and government agencies are the
and sense of national identity (Henderson, 2008; Wang, main contributors to gentrification (Lees, 2000; Smith,
2023). Popular esthetics and preferences are influenced 2002), revealing the complexity of commercialization in
by the historical city models designed by the government urban heritage conservation in China. These powerful
and operators, introducing a fixed commercial framework entities tend to prioritize economic interests at the expense
that distorts the public’s understanding of the site. As a of cultural authenticity and the long-term welfare of
result, heritage is no longer centered on the presentation of communities, further intensifying the commercialization
history and connotations; instead, the public becomes more of heritage.
focused on entertainment and service experiences (Gao et
al., 2020). While this trend may yield short-term economic 2.2. Public participation in urban heritage
benefits, it risks irreversibly damaging the authenticity of conservation in China
heritage assets in the long run. As the heritage tourism Public participation is a critical issue in cultural heritage
market matures, many well-educated tourists have management and is essential for strengthening long-term
expressed dissatisfaction with the over-commercialization sustainable heritage management (Landorf, 2009). Arnstein
of traditional heritage projects, reflecting broader public (1969) has categorized participation into three levels: non-
concerns and disappointment about the distortion of participation, tokenism, and citizen power. At the levels
cultural heritage (Timothy, 2014). Therefore, a sustainable of non-participation and tokenism, such as manipulation,
heritage conservation strategy should place local information, and consultation, the public may receive
communities and residents at the core of the decision- information and provide feedback, but they have no
making process. Research by Zhang et al. (2019) shows substantial decision-making power (Arnstein, 1969). The
that local residents are indispensable participants in connection between local residents and heritage should not
discussions on cultural heritage management. It is crucial be taken for granted, as residents carry the imprint of local
to ensure that heritage conservation projects authentically attributes (Byrne, 2008). Their participation and opinions
reflect community members’ opinions and cultural should be given greater attention. Public or resident
practices. Achieving authentic community involvement involvement should not only be seen as a way to fulfill
requires strategies to be formed from a genuinely objective democratic formalities but should be considered a long-
perspective, utilizing a comprehensive range of local views term strategy that integrates and addresses community
and insights to enhance the authenticity and integrity of needs, establishes effective participation methods, and
local heritage while balancing the need for sustainable supports the decision-making process. This will promote
heritage protection (Dai et al., 2021). democratization, transparency, and clarity in decision-
The commercialization of heritage sites can lead to making (Voorberg et al., 2015; Bond, 2011). Ultimately,
overcrowding, environmental damage, and a loss of involvement in cultural heritage protection should be a
local identity, negatively impacting the daily lives and collaborative effort among citizens, social organizations,
socioeconomic status of local residents (Zhang et al., and government agencies to ensure lasting and beneficial
2021). These changes may weaken or even erode original social outcomes (Voorberg et al., 2017).
and traditional beliefs, cultures, and customs (Hung et al., In China, the community is considered the most
2017; Xu et al., 2013). More seriously, commercialization fundamental unit of society, with residents forming the
drives up housing prices and living costs, forcing native core of urban life (Gao et al., 2022). Encouraging the
residents to relocate and altering the cultural fabric of establishment of local community groups and engaging
communities (Chang et al., 2018; Chen & Kong, 2021; different relevant stakeholder groups to jointly participate
Lazrak et al., 2014). Regenerated historic districts often in local government initiatives for heritage conservation
become prime real estate and tourist destinations, leading consultations and supervision are considered effective
to gentrification that prioritizes economic interests over and vital practices (Zhu, 2018; Zhao, 2019; Roslan et al.,
cultural authenticity and community well-being. This drive 2021;). Public and stakeholder participation is crucial
of commercialization, which primarily benefits the wealthy to preventing the government from exploiting heritage
and those with financial influence, is driven not only by resources for personal gains or specific interests (Zhu,
political and economic motivations (Meskell, 2019) but 2018). It helps safeguard public interests and mitigates the
also leads to what is referred to as “heritage” or “cultural commercial impacts on heritage. The genuine preservation

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3421