Reinterpretation of history

: urban regeneration in historic Wenzhou, China

Abstract

The regeneration of historic cities in China is currently in full swing. Many cities that previously experienced the loss of historical characteristics due to modern construction are now striving to restore their historical ambiance. Within this context, the concept of ‘organic renewal’ has long been embraced by Chinese academia as a guiding principle for urban regeneration. However, in practice, this concept manifests in diverse ways. In China, Wenzhou is a city that falls between the second-tier and third-tier categories. ‘Wenzhounese’ holds a particularly special meaning in contemporary China, which has cultivated unique characters for the city. This study examines the regeneration of historic Wenzhou, contributing to the urban heritage discourse by reassessing historicity and conservation practices within China’s social, cultural, political, and academic frameworks. As a historically significant city, most of the existing research regarding Wenzhou are purely historical studies and its contemporary conservation practices have received little attention in the global urban heritage sector. Thus, this study tries to in-depth explore the transformation model of historic Wenzhou, and the driving forces behind it.
An evidence-based, theoretically informed methodology guides this study, focusing on Wenzhou’s unique role in the practice of contemporary urban heritage conservation in China. First, through a review of conservation theories, the study establishes a foundational understanding of the broader context over the world and characteristics of urban heritage regeneration in contemporary China. It then examines Wenzhou’s historical transformations and contemporary conservation strategies through an analysis of relevant designs and historical documents. Focusing on three key streets—Wuma Street, Chan Street, and Gongyuan Road—the study conducts site visits, architectural observations, and professional architectural analyses to assess urban and architectural features. Supported by various institutions, the research further incorporates design document analysis and interviews with planners, architects, government officials, and experts. Based on these investigations, the study ultimately synthesizes contemporary attitudes toward history and methods of historical reinterpretation in the regeneration of historic Wenzhou.
This study explores the mechanisms of historical reinterpretation shaping Wenzhou’s historic core, revealing how concepts of ‘authentic’ versus ‘pseudo-classic’ and ‘integral’ versus ‘fragmentary’ are negotiated in conservation practices. It demonstrates that a narrow sense of authenticity based on pure historical objects is not practical in contemporary China’s urban conservation and regeneration. The study illustrates increasing public tolerance for diverse interpretations of historicity within conservation practices. By clarifying the concept of ‘organic renewal’ through the Wenzhou case, the study evaluates its application and the roles of various stakeholders in regeneration practices. From a broader perspective, it identifies common challenges and underlying mechanisms in historic city renewal across China, offering recommendations for Wenzhou’s future development and insights for other cities facing similar circumstances.

Date of Award	15 Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Nottingham
Supervisor	Jing Xie (Supervisor), Yat Ming Loo (Supervisor) & Tim Heath (Supervisor)