Life and History: Challenges on Urban Conservation and a Possible Solution: Case Studies on Historic Quarters in Beijing and Shanghai, China

In recent decades, the redevelopment process in Chinese cities has challenged historic quarters. While conservation awareness rises, scholars started to criticise these quarters for being restored in “improper methods”. Moreover, property privatisation and tourism development in historic quarters caused dilemmas: the majority of inhabitants were relocated under the monetary compensation system; the overwhelming tourism activities resulted in a significant loss of the uniqueness of living elements. They all pushed the local government and the inhabitants to a deeper collaboration with other stakeholders. This paper first overviewed the approaches to urban conservation, from integrity conservation to the Historic Urban Landscape, and analysed their merits and defects. Focusing on two cases in Beijing and Shanghai, it further illustrated processes of inhabitants’ participation and collaboration modes with other stakeholders, including local organisations and authorities, to safeguard the architectural heritage and redevelop the historic quarters. The measures could provide feasible approaches to balance the conflict between urban conservation and redevelopment in the aspect of heritage management.