Abstract
This article examines the rise of symbolic urban preservation as a means of urban growth in the spatial transformation of Beijing from 1990 to 2005. The author argues that urban preservation, often considered to be in opposition to demolition and redevelopment, is nevertheless adopted by public officials and developers in Beijing as a more sophisticated instrument to achieve urban growth. While the housing renewal programme led to the demolition of a large number of courtyard houses and the construction of modern high-rises, a variety of symbolic preservation projects were carried out by the local government to reconcile various economic and political interests. These included the designation of preservation districts, the restoration of historic monuments and the creation of cultural tourism districts. This twisted take on urban development has had negative effects on the maintenance of cultural heritage and community life in the city.
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