Page 27 - JCAU-6-4

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

of urban heritage values and significance heavily relies on and entertainment activities for tourists or visitors, rather
the active engagement of urban residents (Nitzky, 2013). than actively participating or intervening in government-
Unfortunately, due to limitations in the management led heritage initiatives (Zhu, 2018). It is essential to involve
system, many local residents in China are either unwilling residents and encourage active community participation
in decision-making, especially in matters of local cultural
or unable to participate in policy formulation or planning heritage conservation. This can be achieved through
processes (Ying & Zhou, 2007). This is mainly due to the knowledge transfer and gradually integrating community
government’s failure to establish effective channels for involvement with government support to implement
public participation, making it challenging for residents to effective management practices (Chirikure et al., 2013; Li
express their views (Aas et al., 2005). Non-governmental et al., 2020; Wilson & Koester, 2008).
organizations and civil groups must rely on government
agencies for legal recognition when conducting heritage 2.3. Heritage revitalization plan and
projects (Fan, 2014). Consequently, residents lack implementation in Guancheng district
opportunities to participate, while governments hold The Guancheng district, also known as the Guancheng
exclusive rights in decision-making processes (Shin, 2010). Hui district, was established due to its early concentration
Residents living within heritage sites, as key stakeholders of Hui people. Located in the center of Zhengzhou city,
(Poulios, 2014), are not empowered in the heritage it is considered the oldest district in the city. Guancheng
protection and management processes. They struggle to district preserves significant cultural heritage, including
effectively express and exercise their local identity, convey architectural landmarks from different historical periods.
key elements related to heritage such as traditions, and The site of the Shang dynasty capital, dating back to 1766–
want to be involved in heritage conservation (Poulios, 1122 BCE, is among these landmarks. This site, with its 3600-
2014; Bruku, 2015). Experts, governments, and non- year history, was designated a national key cultural relic by
governmental organizations are often considered the the Chinese government in 1961 (Wang, 2017). Since 1987,
drivers of heritage conservation (Lekakis, 2013). These Zhengzhou city has established an organization specifically
groups need to support and listen to the recommendations responsible for protecting and researching the Guancheng
of key stakeholders, foster collaboration, provide residents heritage sites, now known as the Zhengzhou City Shang
with more opportunities to participate in heritage Dynasty Capital City Site Protection Management Office
management, and strengthen their influence through (Zhang, 2016). Since 1991, the Chinese national and
communication and negotiation (Chipangura et al., 2017; Zhengzhou municipal governments have developed several
Li et al., 2020; MacRae, 2017). conservation plans and implementations to ensure that the
In addition, China’s top-down governance culture has Guancheng district’s cultural heritage is properly protected
had a far-reaching impact on the widespread lack of public for appropriate purposes (Wang, 2017). According to local
interest in local development initiatives, with many citizens media, the Guancheng district (Figure 1) is considered
believing that the government alone is solely responsible the origin and cultural heart of Zhengzhou (Ma & Zhang,
for policy formulation and planning. This approach has 2022).
fostered a culture of dependency on the government, The government’s blueprint charts the path or course for
hindering the growth of civic engagement and public heritage conservation, identifying the Guancheng district
participation in China (Fan, 2014; Shin, 2010). Besides, heritage area as a crucial heritage asset for revitalization
the Chinese government has struggled to ensure adequate to enhance the old city’s image and promote Zhengzhou’s
transparency of information. Even when proposing sustainable development (Zhu, 2018). This initiative is part
participatory measures, these efforts are often perceived by of China’s Great Site Conservation Plan, a project initiated
the public as symbolic or merely formal gestures. Finally, and led by top Chinese officials. The plan’s main purpose
local government officials at various levels, who often hold is to explore the roots of Chinese civilization, showcase
dual roles as bureaucrats and politicians, find it difficult to both historical and modern China to the world, and fulfill
establish close and trusting relationships with the public the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation (Bureau
(Hu et al., 2018). This dynamic discourages residents from of Cultural Relics, 2021b). Officially, the Grand Site
participating in local initiatives, and some even fear that Conservation Plan was jointly planned and launched by
participation may have negative implications and potential multiple Chinese departments in 2005 (Bureau of Cultural
threats. Such concerns further exacerbate tensions or Relics, 2021a). As part of this plan, the Guancheng district
conflicts between the public and government (Zhao, 2019). has been designated as a key area for conservation within
Consequently, in most parts of China, local residents the Grand Site framework (Bureau of Cultural Relics,
primarily experience urban heritage through local tours 2021b; Wang, 2021).

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