Page 116 - JCAU-7-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Heritage and development of Tonglushan mine site

need for further clarity regarding the correlation between from the relevant institutions. The institutional review
the interpretation of archeological site values and the committee thoroughly evaluated the research proposal,
Outstanding Universal Value of World Cultural Heritage. which outlined the study’s objectives, methods, participant
Second, identifying pathways for transformation poses recruitment, and data handling procedures. All interviewees
a global challenge for resource-depleted cities. In China were fully informed about the study’s purpose, potential
alone, there are 92 mineral/metallurgical resource-based risks, and data usage. They were provided with clear,
cities, with a combined population of approximately 154 comprehensible information and given the opportunity
million (Zou, 2009). Transformation necessitates not only to ask questions before formal publication. Verbal consent
reconstructing industrial economies and undertaking was obtained before each interview reported in this article.
ecological restoration but also redefining development Consent for publication
paradigms. In the case of Tonglushan, the discovery of
archeological sites within modern mining operations Verbal consent for publication was obtained before each
has become a pivotal factor, enabling advocacy for interview reported in this article.
World Heritage status and the promotion of cultural
tourism through site museums and parks. Although Availability of data
direct economic benefits may not yet be apparent, this The data for this article primarily come from public sources,
dual approach offers a pathway to ecological and cultural including books, journal articles, newspapers, and online
restoration in declining mining areas. social media, as well as “internal publications” shared
Third, it is essential to re-center discussions on local with the author by informants. In addition, she collected
significance. A marked disparity exists between the in-depth interview transcripts during her fieldwork in
archeological heritage value of Tonglushan – dating back Tonglushan, along with hard-copy news articles that were
thousands of years – and the economic and social significance not officially published. All materials used are non-political
of its modern mining operations in recent decades. Official in nature and respect individual rights. Part of original data
heritage discourse typically focuses on relics and material from public publications can be obtained from the author
remains to underscore Tonglushan’s importance in the upon reasonable request.
broader narrative of Chinese history and civilization.
However, as Herzfeld (1991) notes, local heritage discourse Further disclosure
emphasizes the lived experiences of individuals and families Part of the findings was presented at the 4 Biannual
th
in their immediate environmental contexts. For residents Conference 2018, organized by the Association of Critical
of the Tonglushan area – whether miners or farmers – the Heritage Studies at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou,
mines have been both a source of livelihood and a cause of China, from September 1–6, 2018. The presentation,
environmental and social decline in the post-mining era. To titled “Conservation of heritage in China: A case study of
retain residents and foster a sustainable community, future Tonglushan archeological site,” was delivered by the author.
cultural heritage practices must incorporate grassroots
voices and address local concerns. References
Acknowledgments Chen, A. (2009). “Copper capital” Daye: Forced mining boss
transformation. Oriental Outlook; 2009. Available from:
None. https://news.sina.com.cn/c/sd/2009-04-20/142217647591.
shtml [Last accessed on 2018 Oct 23].
Funding Chen, A., & Lin, Z. (1971). Continued Annals of Daye County,
None. Hubei Province (Based on the Version of 1884). Taiwan:
Cheng Wen Publishing Co.
Conflict of interest Chen, S., & Wu, H. (2014). Reflections of landscape and ecological
The author declares that she has no competing interests. environment construction of mountain Tonglushan heritage
park. Journal of Hubei Polytechnic University(Humanities
Author contributions and Social Science), 31(6):17-24.
This is a single-authored article. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.ISSN.2095-4662.2014.06.004
st
China Cultural Relics News. (2024). The 21 (2023) Top Ten
Ethics approval and consent to participate Exhibitions of Museums in China. Beijing: China Cultural
This research is part of the author’s doctoral dissertation Relics News, p.1.
and has received ethical approval (Approval ID: 2016.03) China’s State Council. (1991). Guan yu Hubei Sheng Daye

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2025) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4898