Architectural heritage conservation in China

Abstract

As a contribution to econometric research on the role of architectural heritage, this dissertation evaluates non-aggregate data for a total of 2142 designated National Priority Protected Sites (NPPS) in China using hedonic model and ordered probit model. Attempting to verify economic costs of conserving architectural heritage sites in China, the objectives of the dissertation are to find out the grading system of NPPS; to compare the monetary value and non-monetary value methods on architectural heritage conservation; to identify the current criteria of national heritage conservation maintenance funding (NHCMF) allocation for the NPPS; and to select and evaluate the key factors of NHCMF allocation for the NPPS. The research question of this dissertation is: “what are the decision criteria of NHCMF allocation in China?”. The dissertation conceives of one general hypothesis and 17 empirical hypotheses. The general hypothesis is based on the maintenance funding and grading system of each conservation project. The empirical hypotheses are generated from possible determined factors of NHCMF allocation, theories of sustainable development, economic value and heritage value.

Based on the real market information, 7 factors have been identified as the determined factors of NHCMF allocation of NPPS. They are “average household income”, “annual economic benefit”, “average personal salary”, “population”, “ticket”, “types modern building” and “types revolutionary sites”. Of these 7 factors, on the one hand, “average household income”, “annual economic benefit”, “population”, “entry ticket fee” and “types (revolutionary sites)” have positive relationship with the maintenance cost. The positive relationship result implies that the revolutionary sites locate in economic developed area with more population and higher entry ticket fee are more likely to get more maintenance funding. On the other hand, “average personal salary” and “types (modern buildings)” have negative relationship with maintenance funding. The negative relationship result reflects that modern buildings of NPPS with higher average personal salary are less likely getting more maintenance funding.

Based on the hypothetical market data, 4 factors have been identified as the determined factors of NHCMF allocation of NPPS. The factors of “population and “annual economic benefit” have the same relationship with monetary market data. The “maintenance funding” and “original usage” have negative relationship with grading system.