Power dynamics of reusing colonial historical landscape for urban growth : cases in Shanghai and Hong Kong

Abstract

China's two major cities, Shanghai and Hong Kong, both of which exhibited a comparable degree of cosmopolitanism during the colonial era, are currently engaged in a process of reimagining their colonial heritage as high-end spaces. This dissertation delves into the dynamics of heritage reutilization in Shanghai and Hong Kong, two quintessential East Asian entrepreneurial cities shaped by their colonial pasts and contemporary entrepreneurial ambitions. Drawing on Jessop’s definition of the entrepreneurial city and his concept of 'glurbanization', this research aims to identify and analyze the interplay between urban regeneration, colonial heritage preservation, and entrepreneurial motivations in the two global cities. Through thematic analysis of expert interviews, literature and materials, and field research on seven typical heritage sites, the researcher has identified the significant phases of heritage transformation, links between entrepreneurship and heritage, and influential power relationships in heritage conservation and reutilization, as well as dissected the current strategies deployed by these cities to leverage their colonial landscapes for promoting growth objectives. Findings reveal how administrative policies, market forces, and societal values intertwine to form the heritage practices that tally with the cities’ entrepreneurial images. The research identifies a dual-layered system guiding the heritage interventions, with international positioning and local politico-economic situations intricately referenced in shaping their urban redevelopment trajectories. Over time, Shanghai and Hong Kong have evolved their approaches, drawing from global best practices to inform their heritage reutilization strategies. This study enriches urban studies by illuminating the spatial-temporal dimensions of entrepreneurial strategies and socio-political impacts of heritage interventions in these dynamic urban landscapes. It offers insights into how entrepreneurial cities balance heritage preservation with urban development to assert their global prominence.