UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA Los Angeles the How and Why of Urban Preservation: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods in China a Disser
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles The How and Why of Urban Preservation: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods in China A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning by Jonathan Stanhope Bell 2014 © Copyright by Jonathan Stanhope Bell 2014 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION The How and Why of Preservation: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods in China by Jonathan Stanhope Bell Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning University of California, Los Angeles, 2014 Professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Chair China’s urban landscape has changed rapidly since political and economic reforms were first adopted at the end of the 1970s. Redevelopment of historic city centers that characterized this change has been rampant and resulted in the loss of significant historic resources. Despite these losses, substantial historic neighborhoods survive and even thrive with some degree of integrity. This dissertation identifies the multiple social, political, and economic factors that contribute to the protection and preservation of these neighborhoods by examining neighborhoods in the cities of Beijing and Pingyao as case studies. One focus of the study is capturing the perspective of residential communities on the value of their neighborhoods and their capacity and willingness to become involved in preservation decision-making. The findings indicate the presence of a complex interplay of public and private interests overlaid by changing policy and economic limitations that are creating new opportunities for public involvement. Although the Pingyao case study represents a largely intact historic city that is also a World Heritage Site, the local ii focus on tourism has disenfranchised residents in order to focus on the perceived needs of tourists. In contrast, the dynamic neighborhood studied in Beijing maintains a core of historic fabric and protected heritage sites amidst a dynamic matrix of localized development, often sympathetic to the character of the neighborhood and more responsive to local needs. Both cases and the available literature underscore the need for implementing an integrated planning process that engages the community and responds practically to political and economic realities. iii The dissertation of Jonathan Stanhope Bell is approved. Dana Cuff James Tong Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Chair University of California, Los Angeles 2014 iv DEDICATION I dedicate this work to those who carried me through the process. My parents have always been eager to support and encourage me in all endeavors and they have made possible so many things. Ankur has made me laugh when I was distraught and uplifted me when I was disheartened, sharing with me each challenge and accomplishment along the way. Orly and Tisha urged me forward when staying back would have been far easier and offered perspective and laughter at every turn. v Contents Chapter 1 – Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 Research Questions ..................................................................................................................... 4 Organization of the Dissertation ................................................................................................. 6 Chapter 2 – Methodology and Research Design ............................................................................. 9 Mixed Methods Model .............................................................................................................. 13 Case Study Model ..................................................................................................................... 14 Study Areas ............................................................................................................................... 16 Research Components ............................................................................................................... 25 Survey Design and Implementation ...................................................................................... 28 Questionnaire ........................................................................................................................ 28 Administering the survey ...................................................................................................... 31 Interviews .............................................................................................................................. 34 Observation and Documentation........................................................................................... 35 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................ 36 Challenges ................................................................................................................................. 37 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 38 Chapter 3 – Literature Review ...................................................................................................... 41 Defining Cultural Heritage ....................................................................................................... 42 Preservation and practice .......................................................................................................... 47 Practice and politics .............................................................................................................. 51 Urban Heritage and the Developing World .............................................................................. 53 Urbanization .......................................................................................................................... 54 Tourism ................................................................................................................................. 58 Heritage Policy and the Developing World .......................................................................... 66 Good Preservation Practice ....................................................................................................... 69 Chapter 4 – China Policy and Urban Conservation ...................................................................... 71 Governance in China ................................................................................................................. 72 Rule of law ............................................................................................................................ 72 Development without democracy ......................................................................................... 74 vi Decentralization Challenges ................................................................................................. 80 Development and Preservation ................................................................................................. 82 Beijing Vernacular – hutong and siheyuan ........................................................................... 84 Redeveloping Beijing – 1949 to reforms .............................................................................. 87 Policy v. Practice: Beijing Redevelopment after 1979 ......................................................... 89 Increased Regulation, Market Protection, and NGOs ........................................................... 98 Better Sorry than Safe ......................................................................................................... 104 Chapter 5 – Beijing Case Study .................................................................................................. 108 Study Area Description ........................................................................................................... 109 Cultural Heritage Sites ....................................................................................................... 115 Use and Reuse of Heritage Structures ................................................................................ 122 Residential Architecture ...................................................................................................... 131 Resident Survey ...................................................................................................................... 134 Demographics ..................................................................................................................... 134 Relationship to neighborhood ............................................................................................. 137 Historic value and preservation .......................................................................................... 141 Recent history and tourism ................................................................................................. 146 Neighborhood projection .................................................................................................... 149 Consideration of Previous Studies .......................................................................................... 150 Chapter 6 – Pingyao Case Study ................................................................................................. 157 Pingyao History ...................................................................................................................... 158 Preservation Context ..............................................................................................................