‘Sharing’ as a Critical Framework for Waterfront Heritage Regeneration: A Case Study of Suzhou Creek, Shanghai

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze ‘sharing’ as an operational framework for waterfront industrial heritage revitalization in the context of sustainable urban regeneration. This research study was conducted to better understand the public accessibility of heritage preservation projects in a densely populated waterfront urban area and to determine to what extent heritage could be made available to the general public. We examined the development of industrial heritage along Suzhou Creek, Shanghai, and its process of regeneration. The focus area covered a waterway stretch of 19.2 km and an adjacent land area of 11.7 km2 managed as a single planning entity on both sides of the creek. We analyzed the present preservation practices and discovered a growing desire to increase the historical buildings’ visibility in the context of urban regeneration. We argue that ‘sharing’ can serve as a pivotal framework for sustainable waterfront regeneration, as its implementation can (1) increase the public value of waterfront heritage and (2) incorporate comprehensive objectives, design strategies, evaluation methods, and public participation into the space revitalization process.