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

sense of collective nostalgia and national pride in of clear positioning and presentation of the site’s historical
heritage conservation, thereby legitimizing the Chinese and cultural significance has raised concerns among the
government’s commercial strategies (Zhu, 2018). local public (Wu & Ye, 2020). Despite ongoing development
Simultaneously, the government perceives heritage as a and restoration efforts, the government’s attempt to foster
means to foster national identity and cultural diplomacy, national pride has not garnered unanimous support from
showcasing the nation’s glorious history to the world local residents. The local conservation measures within the
(Zan & Baraldi, 2012; Zhu, 2018). current framework are part of the government’s broader
strategy to raise land value and attract investment (Huijun
The government intentionally branded the Shang
Dynasty Capital City site as a tourist destination & Doyon, 2021).
to cater to the diverse consumer demands of local 3. Research methodology
attractions, serving both commercial and tourism
purposes (Ma, 2023). The “Shang Dynasty Capital This study adopts a research paradigm based on subjective
Culture” is consistently promoted as the core image ontology and interpretive methods, incorporating a
of the Guancheng district and even the entire city of mixed methodology of both qualitative and quantitative
Zhengzhou by official government media. In 2021, the approaches. Data collection took place from July 2022 to
“Six Streets, Six Districts” plan was launched, aiming June 2023 in Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
to create six different themed areas by renovating and 3.1. Qualitative methodology
placemaking in specific street zones, such as food streets
(Peng, 2021). The government believes that this is a Before investigating the opinions of Zhengzhou city
rational public welfare initiative that helps enhance urban residents regarding the existing heritage conservation
development by generating economic growth, improving strategies in the Guancheng district, it was necessary to
local livelihoods, promoting urban transformation, clarify the current urban heritage conservation strategies
and enhancing the overall visibility of the heritage site in the district. Despite contacting relevant government
(Chen et al., 2020; Peng, 2021). The media supports the departments for data and information about existing
government’s initiative, framing it as a significant effort strategies, only limited information was compiled. Thus,
to restore historical dignity and honor local identities to gain a deeper understanding of the actual strategies
(Fan & Wang, 2023). However, ordinary residents were implemented in the Guancheng district, this study adopted
excluded from the discussion and compelled to comply semi-structured interviews as the qualitative research
with the government’s demolition and remodeling plans, method. The benefit of semi-structured interviews is that
under the threat of being stigmatized as “nail households” they ensure the capture of key themes, making qualitative
(Chen et al., 2020). Official media subsequently hailed data more comparable and credible (Patton, 2014).
this demolition as the largest relocation effort in central Primary data were collected through semi-structured
Zhengzhou’s history (The Construction, 2023). interviews with staff from relevant government
Local Chinese governments often engage in placemaking departments, such as the Zhengzhou Municipal Bureau
in “new” or “complete” historical urban areas with potential of Cultural Relics, the Zhengzhou Municipal Museum,
branding opportunities to seek political and economic and the Henan Provincial Institute of Archeology. In
advantages (Xie et al., 2020). To achieve this and preserve addition, interviews were conducted with cultural
the heritage site, Guancheng district implemented measures experts and scholars from local universities who have
such as conservation, relocation of residents, and functional research experience in this field. Secondary data were
planning (Wang, 2017). As part of this process, projects such also collected, including published journal articles,
as the Shang Dynasty Capital City Archeological Park and academic research papers, reports, and other materials.
the Zhengzhou Shang Dynasty Capital City Ruins Museum The search terms for secondary data included but were
have been completed and opened to the public (Xin, 2022). not limited to, “Guancheng District Cultural Relics
However, the high capital investment is not commensurate Protection,” “Shang Dynasty Capital City Ruins,”
with the relatively low visitor footfall, posing a risk to the “Zhengzhou City God Temple,” “Zhengzhou Confucian
sustainability of these projects (Zan & Baraldi, 2012). Temple,” and “Zhengzhou Monuments.” Furthermore,
A survey conducted by Wu and Ye (2020) indicates that most secondary sources such as government documents, public
visitors are local residents, especially those from surrounding documents, and news reports were used to compare and
areas. Over half (55%) of them live within 1000 m of the verify the primary data.
heritage site, and 71% visit primarily for walking, exercise, A total of 15 individuals were interviewed in Chinese
and leisure rather than heritage-driven motives. This lack language, with each interview lasting approximately

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 8 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3421