Preservation, Production and Reproduction

Description

Presentation Title: Living Heritage and Hyperreality: Global Perspectives on Narrative Recreation in Urban Heritage Management

Abstract: This research explores how narrative recreation can be used to balance cultural authenticity and economic viability in the conservation and renewal of urban heritage sites, focusing on Suzhou’s ancient city districts (e.g., Pingjiang Road and Shiquan Jie), the Wuzhen West Scenic Zone, and Ballarat, Australia. Some well-known frameworks, such as the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach and the Burra Charter, are analysed to identify sustainable heritage management strategies that can address commodification and hyperreality.
Urban heritage sites face increasing pressure from tourism and the sequent over-commercialization nowadays, often leading to "Disneyfication," —a phenomenon where heritage sites are transformed into overly curated, entertainment-driven spaces that prioritize visitor appeal over authenticity. In light of global tourism trends, there is an urgent need to explore innovative strategies that can preserve authenticity and community identity on the one hand while facilitating sustainable urban development on the other.
Existing studies have examined living heritage as a dynamic interplay of tangible and intangible elements, with critiques of hyperreality in tourism by scholars such as Baudrillard and Smith. UNESCO’s HUL recommendation highlights the integration of cultural values into urban development. However, limited research explores how value-based frameworks like the HUL approach and Burra Charter can reconcile authenticity, tourism, and sustainability. Few studies address the practical application of these frameworks across diverse cultural contexts, leaving a gap in the field.
To address this, the study employs a comparative case study method, analysing preservation, restoration and management practices in Suzhou, Wuzhen, and Ballarat. Data from site observations, policy documents, and academic literature are analysed using HUL and Burra Charter principles.
It is found from this research that Suzhou integrates living heritage with urban growth, Wuzhen highlights risks of commodification and hyperreality, and Ballarat demonstrates participatory, value-based heritage management. These insights underscore the need for context-sensitive, community-driven strategies to ensure authenticity and resilience in urban heritage sites.

Period	29 Aug 2025 → 30 Aug 2025
Event type	Conference
Degree of Recognition	International