Page 37 - JCAU-6-4

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

their expertise in heritage conservation in its historical bottom-up and top-down approaches, providing clear
context, which is essential for effective communication objectives and essential processes for participation and
and reducing conflicts between public expectations policy actions (Li et al., 2020; Nanz & Dalferth, 2007).
and heritage conservation efforts (Lee, 2016). In terms This framework aims to serve as an interface between
of feedback channels and technology, creating various citizens and stakeholders, such as government officials
community networks and related applications will ensure and heritage conservation experts. These initiatives can
that public voices are heard and effectively reflected in help reconcile conflicts, balance top-down and bottom-up
discussions and decision outcomes. Heritage conservation implementation, improve mutual understanding between
experts should take public input into account to raise local the government and the public, and create a sustainable and
awareness and involvement in conservation, fostering inclusive conservation mechanism that encourages wider
dialogs and collaborative planning and executions toward stakeholder cooperation in urban heritage conservation in
more inclusive and sustainable heritage conservation goals. China. Simultaneously, the proposed framework should
Due to time and sample size limitations, this clearly define the specific responsibilities of stakeholders
study provides only a singular perspective on local at the government, local, and regional levels. It should
residents’ feedback regarding the government’s strategic also outline feasible collaborative participation models
implementations. To ensure broader community and and projects. It is crucial to concretize the arrangements
and contributions of public or resident participation by
resident engagement, future research should explore the tracking and soliciting feedback from participants on
direct benefits that residents expect from local cultural
heritage from a more comprehensive viewpoint. Based outcomes, rather than relying on random or temporary
on these insights, targeted public demand response arrangements. Within this framework, it is advisable
strategies should be designed. In addition, it is necessary to to document the processes, outcomes, executing units,
discuss participatory strategies and implementation plans and specific responsibilities involved. This approach,
combining bottom-up and top-down management,
adapted to China’s local context, drawing on international empowers citizens with conservation responsibilities,
management frameworks to promote more effective and
sustainable cultural heritage conservation in China. shares management duties across government departments,
establishes partnerships, and enhances public awareness
6. Conclusion and willingness to participate. Combining bottom-up and
top-down management ensures that citizen participation
This study uncovered a passive attitude among local is legitimate and democratic rather than merely symbolic.
residents toward the heritage conservation strategies in the
Guancheng district, likely due to the prolonged neglect of Acknowledgments
local residents’ rights and participation in policy planning None.
and implementation processes under China’s top-down
governance system. The government’s economic- or Funding
market-driven approaches to preserving, restoring,
revitalizing, upgrading, or transforming local heritage None.
sites often prioritize commercial interests over authentic Conflict of interest
historical values, thus failing to resonate local connection
and raise cultural identity awareness. Therefore, this The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
study underscores the importance of government efforts
to provide more opportunities and platforms for local Author contributions
communities to participate in heritage conservation Conceptualization: All authors
processes, ultimately generating greater public awareness Investigation: Zichen Ke
and enthusiasm for preserving local heritage. Despite the Methodology: All authors
government-led strategies, active involvement and support Writing – original draft: Zichen Ke
from the local community remain crucial for the success of Writing – review & editing: All authors
urban heritage conservation.
The study suggests that the Chinese government should Ethics approval and consent to participate
take additional steps to enhance resident participation by This study received approval (Approval ID: USM/JEPeM/
organizing activities, establishing communication channels, PP/24060485) from the Ethics Review Committee of
and introducing participatory platforms. The vision could the School of The Arts, Universiti Sains Malaysia, and
include a management framework that incorporates both involved conducting interviews with experts in the field of

Volume 6 Issue 4 (2024) 16 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3421