Urban conservation in multi-level governance: Comparing the interaction patterns in conserving different types of cultural heritage in the mainland of China

Abstract

This article explores the governance structure of cultural heritage by analyzing the interactions of government sectors at multiple levels through the lenses of governing instruments. It contributes to the discussions of urban conservation – (re)development balance in China. The main conclusions are the following: (1) resources of information and authority are the most mobilized in the deployment of instruments, and interactions among vertical and horizontal coordination of multi-level government are mainly goal-setting; (2) interaction patterns in conserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage are categorized as steering mode, discretion, national and local approaches; (3) the opportunities and challenges for urban conservation-(re) development balance are analyzed from the following dimensions: the compatibility of government sectors’ objectives and responsibilities, the integration of responsibility and resources among multi-level government, the convergence of vertical and horizontal interactions (“tiao” and “kuai”), and the harmonization of the governance system in cultural heritage conservation. This article only includes policy documents for analysis. Future research could explore the interactions between governments, communities, and private sectors in practice.