Does heritage conservation generate social benefits?

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the social benefits generated by heritage conservation in the Eastern country – China. With economic booming in the urban area, the cultural built heritage is hardly got properly conservation resulting from primarily considering economic benefits other than environmental or social benefits. Nowadays, the social benefits have been recognized by experts and governments; however few studies were conducted in developing or Eastern countries. Thus, this research is appealing a completed picture of heritage conservation in China. This research was based on a review of relevant literature, in which heritage conservation, social benefits of heritage conservation and conservation in China are discussed. Case study is adopted in this research and Gulou area, since it is one of representative heritage conservation in China whose renew project draws much focus. Questionnaires are delivered to local residents in the site of case study –Gulou area in Beijing, China, together with several interviews. The findings underline that the social benefits mentioned in the contemporary literature are partly achieve in practice. Education about the heritage and public participation are particularly lacking. The main conclusion to be drawn from this work is that heritage-related celebrations and completed exhibition should get more consideration in heritage conservation, while there are constrains to conduct.