Delayed redevelopment in urban expansion: opportunities for the preservation and revitalisation of collective memory in Shiqiao Town, Chengdu

Abstract During rapid urban expansion, historic districts that are overtaken by the urban core can experience divergent fates. Some districts that have catered to tourism and commercial real estate have undergone architectural and lifestyle changes, thus resulting in the loss of folk culture. Additionally, as a result of funding shortages or property disputes, other districts appear to have decayed but have regained attention, as the collective memory of these districts is valued. This paper uses Shiqiao Town in Chengdu, China, as a case study to explore the redevelopment of historic districts, with a focus on preserving and revitalising collective memory during urban expansion. Via participant observations, semistructured interviews, netnography, natural language processing, and policy content reviews, this paper investigated collective memories based on the everyday lives and public perceptions of residents, with the aim of facilitating interactions between social groups, historic districts, and the city. Unlike previous practices related to creative destruction, current redevelopment practices offer opportunities for physical preservation and the representation of collective memory, thereby attaining a mutually beneficial outcome for both economic development and heritage conservation. The goal of this initiative is to promote the continuous reconstruction of collective memory, thus forming a redevelopment framework focused on ‘Original Memories’, ‘Stable Linkages’, and ‘Continuous Reconstruction’. This study also highlights potential issues in delayed redevelopment, such as authenticity, accuracy of cultural promotion, and resident participation, thereby offering insights for future development and similar historic districts.