Case Studies
Feb 18, 2021

Historic Conservation Area Policy and Partial Shrinkage in an Expanding Megacity in China: Microscale Study of 9 Jiedao with 14 Historic Conservation Areas in Old Liwan, Guangzhou, China

Publication: Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 147, Issue 2

Abstract

Historic conservation is closely connected with the phenomenon of partial shrinkage in the rapidly developing megacity of Guangzhou. Nine jiedao (subdistricts) including 14 historic conservation areas in old Liwan were selected to observe the shrinkage phenomenon from four aspects, namely, the population growth rate, population aging, economic growth, and vitality of public life. The relationships between old Liwan and changes in the city's development strategy and between conservation policies and urban renewal operations were explored by tracking three stages of shrinkage. Findings show that shrinkage in jiedao with HCAs in growing megacities was not caused by historic conservation but one of the results of complicated relationship. This study played a vital role in clarifying the partial shrinkage in the historic conservation areas in developing Asian megacities at the microscale while providing a reference for urban planning and policy making.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the second batch of “Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities” (Social Sciences). We thank the anonymous reviewers and Mu Qi of Politecnico di Torino for their comments. In addition, we thank Zhu Jinglu and Li Junjun of Guangzhou Lingnan Architecture Research Center for their investigations and Li Xinheng of Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources for providing information and population data.

References

ACHP (Advisory Council on Historic Preservation). 2014. Managing change: Preservation and rightsizing in America. Washington, DC: ACHP.
Barvika, S., E. Bondars, and S. Bondare. 2018. “Contemporary challenges in planning for shrinkage of historic places: A review.” Archit. Urban Plann. 14 (1): 133–140. https://doi.org/10.2478/aup-2018-0018.
Bernt, M. 2016. “The limits of shrinkage: Conceptual pitfalls and alternatives in the discussion of urban population loss.” Int. J. Urban Reg. Res. 40 (2): 441–450. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-2427.12289.
BHURDG (Bureau of Housing and Urban–Rural Development of Guangzhou). 2015. “Indicative rent price of Guangzhou.” Accessed September 26, 2019. http://zfcj.gz.gov.cn/data/Category_623/Index.aspx.
BHURDG (Bureau of Housing and Urban–Rural Development of Guangzhou). 2017. “Indicative rent price of Guangzhou.” Accessed September 26, 2019. http://zfcj.gz.gov.cn/data/Category_623/Index.aspx.
BUPGM (Bureau of Urban Planning of Guangzhou Municipality). 2014. “Notice of bureau of urban planning of Guangzhou municipality on the announcement of the implementation of Historic city conservation planning of Guangzhou.” Accessed July 29, 2019. https://www.gzlpc.gov.cn/gzlpc/ywpd_mcbh_mcgg/201412/9a14bf3193324583ab9e1e383e1f84cd.shtml.
CPGPRC (The Central People’s Government of People’s Republic of China). 2008. “Regulation on the protection of famous historical and cultural cities, towns and villages.” Accessed July 31, 2019. http://www.gov.cn/test/2008-04/30/content_958355.htm.
Doratli, N. 2005. “Revitalizing historic urban quarters: A model for determining the most relevant strategic approach.” Eur. Plann. Stud. 13 (5): 749–772. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654310500139558.
Du, Z. W., H. G. Zhang, Y. Y. Ye, L. X. Jin, and Q. Xu. 2019. “Urban shrinkage and growth: Measurement and determinants of economic resilience in the Pearl River Delta.” J. Geog. Sci. 29 (8): 1331–1345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-019-1662-6.
Feng, J., and K. Chen. 2019. “Cooperative historic landscape rejuvenation in China: The Litchi Bay project in Guangzhou.” Built Heritage 3 (1): 76–90. https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03545737.
GBS (Guangzhou Bureau of Statistics). 2016. “Guangzhou statistical yearbook 2015.” Accessed March 21, 2019. http://210.72.4.58/portal/queryInfo/statisticsYearbook/portal.
GBS (Guangzhou Bureau of Statistics). 2018. “Guangzhou statistical yearbook 2017.” Accessed March 21, 2019. http://210.72.4.58/portal/queryInfo/statisticsYearbook/portal.
GLDBS (Guangzhou Liwan District Bureau of Statistics). 2011. Liwan statistical yearbook, 2010. Guangzhou, China: Guangzhou Liwan District Bureau of Statistics.
GLDBS (Guangzhou Liwan District Bureau of Statistics). 2016. Liwan statistical yearbook, 2015. Guangzhou, China: GLDBS.
GLDBS (Guangzhou Liwan District Bureau of Statistics). 2018. Liwan statistical yearbook, 2017. Guangzhou, China: GLDBS.
GLDBS (Guangzhou Liwan District Bureau of Statistics) and OSPCGLD (Office for the Sixth Population Census of Guangzhou Liwan District). 2012. Tabulation on the 2010 population census of Guangzhou Liwan District. Guangzhou, China: GLDBS.
GMBPNR (Guangzhou Municipal Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources). 2019. “Benchmark land value.” Accessed September 25, 2019. http://jzdj.gzlpc.gov.cn.
Großmann, K., M. Bontje, A. Haase, and V. Mykhnenko. 2013. “Shrinking cities: Notes for the further research agenda.” Cities 35: 221–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2013.07.007.
GUPB (Guangzhou Urban Planning Bureau) and GUDA (Guangzhou Urban Development Archive). 2010. Illustrating the city’s cultural context-past and current atlas of Guangzhou. Guangzhou, China: Guangdong Map Press.
Haase, A., M. Bernt, K. Großmann, V. Mykhnenko, and D. Rink. 2016. “Varieties of shrinkage in European cities.” Eur. Urban Reg. Stud. 23 (1): 86–102. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969776413481985.
Hackworth, J. 2016. “Demolition as urban policy in the American Rust Belt.” Environ. Plann. A: Econ. Space 48 (11): 2201–2222. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X16654914.
He, S. J. 2012. “Two waves of gentrification and emerging rights issues in Guangzhou, China.” Environ. Plann. A: Econ. Space 44 (12): 2817–2833. https://doi.org/10.1068/a44254.
ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). 1987. “Charter for the conservation of historic towns and urban areas (Washington charter 1987).” Accessed August 5, 2020. https://www.icomos.org/charters/towns_e.pdf.
Jiang, Z. D., W. X. Zhai, X. F. Meng, and Y. Long. 2020. “Identifying shrinking cities with NPP-VIIRS nightlight data in China.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 146 (4): 04020034. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000598.
Koramaz, T. K. 2018. “Housing renewal sites and spatial features of deterioration and deprivation in Istanbul’s historic peninsula.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 144 (1): 04018003. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000429.
Lang, W., J. Deng, and X. Li. 2020. “Identification of “growth” and “shrinkage” pattern and planning strategies for shrinking cities based on a spatial perspective of the Pearl River Delta region.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 146 (4): 05020020. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000612.
Li, H., and V. Mykhnenko. 2018. “Urban shrinkage with Chinese characteristics.” Geog. J. 184 (4): 398–412. https://doi.org/10.1111/geoj.12266.
Li, S. M., Q. Hou, S. S. Chen, and C. S. Zhou. 2010. “Work, home, and market: The social transformation of housing space in Guangzhou, China.” Urban Geogr. 31 (4): 434–452. https://doi.org/10.2747/0272-3638.31.4.434.
Li, X., Z. W. Du, and X. F. Li. 2015. “The spatial distribution and mechanism of city shrinkage in the Pearl River Delta.” [In Chinese.] Mod. Urban Res. 9: 36–43.
Long, Y., and S. Q. Gao. 2019. “Shrinking cities in China: The overall profile and paradox in planning.” In Shrinking cities in China: The other facet of urbanization, edited by Y. Long and S. Q. Gao, 3–21. Singapore: Springer.
Lu, L. C., and L. McCarthy. 2008. “Spatial restructuring in urban China amid globalization and economic reform: The case of Guangzhou.” Built Environ. 34 (4): 444–463. https://doi.org/10.2148/benv.34.4.444.
Mallach, A. 2011. “Demolition and preservation in shrinking US industrial cities.” Build. Res. Inf. 39 (4): 380–394. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2011.573743.
Martinez-Fernandez, C., I. Audirac, S. Fol, and E. Cunningham-Sabot. 2012. “Shrinking cities: Urban challenges of globalization.” Int. J. Urban Reg. Res. 36 (2): 213–225. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2427.2011.01092.x.
Mason, R. 2006. “Theoretical and practical arguments for values-centered preservation.” CRM: J. Heritage Stewardship 3 (2): 1–22.
OPCGLD (Office for Population Census of Guangzhou Liwan District). 1991. Tabulation on the 1990 population census of Guangzhou Liwan District. Guangzhou, China: OPCGLD.
OPCGLD (Office for Population Census of Guangzhou Liwan District). 2002. Tabulation on the 2000 population census of Guangzhou Liwan District. Guangzhou, China: OPCGLD.
PGGM (The People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality). 2000. Notice of the people’s government of Guangzhou municipality on announcement of the first batch of historical conservation districts in Guangzhou. Guangzhou, China: PGGM.
Pipa, H., J. Brito, and C. O. Cruz. 2017. “Sustainable rehabilitation of historical urban areas: Portuguese case of the urban rehabilitation societies.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 143 (1): 05016011. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000348.
Rui, G. Y. 2019. “Study of the “translation” mode of actor-based participatory community planning: A case study of Puntoon Wuyue micro-regeneration in Guangzhou.” [In Chinese.] City Plann. Rev. 43 (12): 88–96.
Ryberg-Webster, S. 2016. “Heritage amid an urban crisis: Historic preservation in Cleveland, Ohio’s Slavic Village neighborhood.” Cities 58: 10–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2016.05.005.
Ryberg-Webster, S., and K. L. Kinahan. 2014. “Historic preservation and urban revitalization in the twenty-first century.” J. Plann. Lit. 29 (2): 119–139. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885412213510524.
Saito, L. T. 2009. “From “blighted” to “historic”: Race, economic development, and historic preservation in San Diego, California.” Urban Aff. Rev. 45 (2): 166–187. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078087408327636.
Shan, J. C., Y. L. Liu, X. S. Kong, Y. F. Liu, and Y. H. Wang. 2020. “Identifying city shrinkage in population and city activity in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 146 (3): 04020027. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000593.
SONBSG (Survey Office of the National Bureau of Statistics in Guangdong). 2010. “Guangdong’s CPI shows a reverse trend and year-on-year price turned positive for the first time in December.” Accessed September 25, 2019. http://www.stats.gov.cn/ztjc/ztfx/dfxx/201001/t20100122_35038.html.
Tan, X. H., and U. Altrock. 2016. “Struggling for an adaptive strategy? Discourse analysis of urban regeneration processes—A case study of Enning Road in Guangzhou City.” Habitat Int. 56: 245–257. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2016.06.006.
Tintěra, J., Z. Kotval, A. Ruus, and E. Tohvri. 2018. “Inadequacies of heritage protection regulations in an era of shrinking communities: A case study of Valga, Estonia.” Eur. Plann. Stud. 26 (12): 2448–2469. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2018.1518409.
UNESCO. 1976. “Recommendation concerning the safeguarding and contemporary role of historic areas.” Accessed August 5, 2020. https://en.unesco.org.
Weaver, R., S. Bagchi-Sen, J. Knight, and A. E. Frazier. 2017. Shrinking cities: Understanding urban decline in the Unite State. London: Routledge.
Whitehand, J., and K. Gu. 2007. “Urban conservation in China: Historical development, current practice and morphological approach.” Town Plann. Rev. 78 (5): 643–670. https://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.78.5.6.
Wu, K., Y. Long, Q. Z. Mao, and X. J. Liu. 2015. “Featured graphic. Mushrooming Jiedaos, growing cities: An alternative perspective on urbanizing China.” Environ. Plann. A: Econ. Space 47 (1): 1–2. https://doi.org/10.1068/a140066g.
Zhai, B. Q., and M. K. Ng. 2013. “Urban regeneration and social capital in China: A case study of the Drum Tower Muslim District in Xi’an.” Cities 35: 14–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2013.05.003.
Zhang, G. X. 1994. “Changes in the population distribution of Guangzhou in the 1980s.” [In Chinese.] Trop. Geogr. 14 (4): 315–321.
Zhang, X. L., J. Hu, M. Skitmore, and B. Y. P. Leung. 2014. “Inner-city urban redevelopment in China metropolises and the emergence of gentrification: Case of Yuexiu, Guangzhou.” J. Urban Plann. Dev. 140 (4): 05014004. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)UP.1943-5444.0000169.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Journal of Urban Planning and Development
Volume 147Issue 2June 2021

History

Received: Oct 16, 2019
Accepted: Nov 9, 2020
Published online: Feb 18, 2021
Published in print: Jun 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Jul 18, 2021

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Ph.D. Candidate, School of Architecture, South China Univ. of Technology, No. 381, Wushan Rd., Guangzhou, 510640 Guangdong Province, China. Email: [email protected]
Professor, School of Architecture & State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building Science, Research Center of Architectural History & Culture, South China Univ. of Technology, No. 381, Wushan Rd., Guangzhou, 510640 Guangdong Province, China (corresponding author). Email: [email protected]

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share