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Description
Heritage serves as a pivotal medium in constructing collective memory and identity of nations and social groups (Meskell, 2005). Post-colonial heritage, with its inherently negative historical attributes, frequently becomes a contested site in heritage politics. As a prominent example of post-colonial heritage, the legacy of concessions in China occupies the core of many urban areas. Preserving the heritage value while addressing the discrepancies between their public perception and broader urban image falls to local governance. However, some concession heritage sites remain underutilized, others are dismantled due to their lack of alignment with state-promoted ideologies, and still others face challenges of over-development and insufficient public engagement (Athanassiou et al., 2018).
Previous studies on the management of post-colonial heritage have analyzed the limitations posed by insufficient policy support, competition for interpretive authority among multiple groups, and neo-liberal regeneration strategies (Giblin, 2015). Nonetheless, these studies have yet to fully elucidate—let alone explain—the nuanced strategies made by Chinese urban governments in dealing with concession heritage and the dilemmas they currently encounter. In response, this paper contends that summarizing the prevalent narrative frameworks adopted by Chinese governments, rather than focusing on isolated case studies or imposing rigid theoretical paradigms, provides a pragmatic foundation for advancements in related research.
The concept of "storylines" is employed to provide a comprehensive representation of heritage images crafted by public institutions through diverse channels. Processes such as value assessment and site identification contribute to crafting these storylines, while planning and public projects materialize them in practice. Given the heterogeneity of concession heritage, it is implausible for a singular storyline to dominate the appropriation of its value. Instead, multiple storylines frequently coexist and intersect, shaped by the interplay of political-economic negotiations. In the Chinese context, local governments orchestrate this process, mediating between administrative agencies and other stakeholders (Zhu & Maags, 2020). Such storylines exhibit varying logics and priorities, with the evolving public perceptions they engender playing a catalytic role in urban mobilization and negotiation (Viderman & Knierbein, 2020).
Using Shanghai as a case study, this research drew extensively on policies, historical records, planning documents, and official media reports concerning the conservation and utilization of concession heritage. We identified the dominant storylines in Shanghai's approach to heritage management, examined their impact on public consciousness, and explored the cultural tensions they engender. Additionally, we investigated the mechanisms underpinning these narrative constructs, analyzing how stakeholder preferences and institutional configurations shape the representation of concession heritage.
The result reveals three principal storylines in the governance of Shanghai's former concession heritage: “Revolutionary Culture,” “Aesthetic Priority,” and “Haipai Culture.” The Revolutionary Culture storyline foregrounds the role of concession heritage as sites of historical figures and revolutionary milestones, emphasizing national consciousness and modern ideals while aligning with central policy priorities. The Aesthetic Priority storyline de-emphasizes the political and identity conflicts within historical narratives, favoring an interpretation that celebrates cultural fusion and artistic innovation. Conversely, the Haipai Culture storyline accentuates Shanghai’s distinctive identity, underscoring inclusivity and global interconnectedness as core attributes, which aligns with market-driven development strategies. Through these storylines, local governments aim to harmonize the divergent demands of Government agencies, market, and community, striving for an overarching governance of the urban image. However, these narratives often lack the specificity required to inform granular practices. Consequently, projects risk overemphasizing narrow aspects, such as economic imperatives in Haipai Culture or revolutionary symbolism in local history, leading to over-development and diminished heritage integrity.
This study reveals the achievements and limitations of a local government-led model of post-colonial heritage management in narrative construction, offering insights into potential power redistribution within the heritage management system.
References
Meskell, L. (2005). Recognition, restitution and the potentials of postcolonial liberalism for SouthAfrican heritage, South African Archaeological Bulletin, 60(182),72.
Giblin, J. (2015). Critical approaches to post-colonial (post-conflict) heritage. In E. Waterton & S. Watson (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Contemporary Heritage Research (pp. 313-325). Palgrave Macmillan.
Zhu, Y., & Maags, C. (2020). Heritage Politics in China: The Power of the Past. Routledge.
Athanassiou, E., Christodoulou, C., Kapsali, M., & Karagianni, M. (2018). Hybridizing ‘ownership’ of public space: Framings of urban emancipation in crisis-ridden Thessaloniki. In Public Space Unbound (1st ed., pp. 251-266). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315449203
Viderman, T., & Knierbein, S. (2020). Affective urbanism: towards inclusive design praxis. Urban Design International, 25(1), 53-62. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41289-019-00105-6
| Keywords | Heritage management; Narrative; Shanghai former concession; Local government |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
