A practice of unitary community renewal led by cultural regeneration: The case of Dongba Township in Beijing

Abstract

For communities, culture is not only a natural product of long-standing daily life but also a binding force that interconnects the interpersonal relationships among the community’s inhabitants. This is particularly evident in centralized unitary communities where work and life are seamlessly integrated. However, with economic development and the transformation of the social structure, the unitary community model no longer aligns with the evolving needs of social development. As a result, it must undergo a transformation into a modern community that meets multiple needs. During the regeneration process, there has been a notable focus on the creation of space within the community, often at the expense of its cultural values. In this context, we have chosen six unitary communities in Beijing’s Dongba Township as a sample. Drawing from cultural regeneration theory, our approach revolves around recreating space with community culture as its core. This approach involves not only integrating culture into the physical space but also reshaping the interpersonal network of the community through culture. Finally, we propose four regeneration models, namely, “Spatial Regeneration – Recreating the Spirit of Place,” “Community Renewal – Diverse Expressions of Community Culture,” “Vitality Regeneration – Enhancing the Cultural Supply,” and “Social Regeneration – Reshaping the Social Network.” These models aim to contribute to the rejuvenation of the community and provide references for the regeneration of old urban neighborhoods.