Page 33 - JCAU-6-4

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

4.1.2. Execution of heritage site conservation and participation in local heritage conservation initiatives.
sustainable community development This study suggests fostering greater local involvement
and cultivating positive attitudes toward conservation
The interviewees mentioned several heritage conservation
strategies implemented in the Guancheng district, measures.
including measures aimed at enhancing the city’s image 4.1.4. Education
and promoting sustainable community development.
These measures cover a wide range of areas, such as heritage Based on the feedback received from the interviewees,
conservation, urban planning, business development, and another important theme that emerged is the need for
ecological protection. For example, the construction of educational initiatives aimed at enhancing local public
the archeological park at the Shang Dynasty Capital City awareness and knowledge of cultural heritage preservation.
and the transformation of surrounding neighborhoods It is crucial to educate people, especially the younger
(e.g., revitalizing neighborhoods under distinct themes) generation, about cultural heritage through various means,
have given new life to the heritage sites. Interviewees 03 such as museum visits, professional lectures, practitioner-
and 04 agreed that these improvements have enhanced led discussions, community outreach, and school
the local community’s environment, ultimately improving partnership programs.
the quality of life for residents. Interviewee 14 believes Interviewees 01 and 02 mentioned the role of museums
that these projects will revitalize the old city by merging in education, emphasizing the importance of exhibitions
historical heritage with modern urban life. In addition, and interactive activities in raising public interest in
some respondents (Interviewees 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11) heritage conservation. Interviewees 04 and 15 explained
supported green projects aimed at enhancing the ecological how professional lectures can inform the public about
environment of heritage sites. These initiatives not only the need for heritage conservation, while Interviewee
increase urban green space but also contribute to heritage 09 emphasized the effectiveness of community outreach
conservation through ecological development. While activities in raising residents’ awareness of local heritage.
these projects were mainly government-led, the direct Interviewee 14 pointed out the effectiveness of school
involvement of residents was found to be low. The low level education programs in fostering students’ awareness
of direct resident involvement highlights the importance of cultural heritage preservation, which could include
of increasing resident participation and empowering organizing museum visits, in-school lectures, or workshops.
residents with more decision-making power. Although the findings reveal positive local attempts to
promote public education about cultural heritage in the
4.1.3. Restoration, maintenance, and management of Guancheng district, these initiatives face challenges due
heritage sites to a lack of experts, specialized topics, discontinuity in

This emerging theme sheds light on the practices activities, inconsistent community outreach, and poor
and challenges encountered during the restoration, coordination in school programs. Future strategies should
maintenance, and management of cultural heritage sites in focus on improving the accessibility, relevance, and
the Guancheng district. Interviewees highlighted several attractiveness of educational content to ensure practical
key challenges, including balancing the preservation of outreach at all levels of communities, including schools
the original cultural values of heritage sites with the need and public settings.
to ensure safe accessibility for contemporary visitors
(Interviewee 03), adhering to national standards and 4.1.5. Cultural urban branding and promotion for
regulations during restoration (Interviewee 08), and the economic development
limited availability of conservation experts to manage This emerging theme covers strategies for establishing a
planned projects (Interviewee 09). Another challenge cultural brand by leveraging the cultural heritage assets
mentioned was effectively presenting heritage sites to the of the Guancheng district to drive local economic and
public (Interviewee 02). business development. Cultural heritage has become a
In addition, interviewees identified issues in resource crucial factor in attracting tourists and promoting local
management and allocation during the conservation economic growth.
process, particularly the challenges related to multi-party Interviewee 03 suggested that incorporating
management (Interviewee 07) and insufficient funds and commercial historical and cultural development projects
professional expertise (Interviewee 09) for sustaining at heritage sites and surrounding areas is an effective way
long-term conservation and management efforts. Overall, to promote cultural tourism and revitalize local businesses.
the findings reveal a lack of community and resident Interviewee 06 encouraged initiatives that promote the site’s

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3421