Urban Redevelopment, Cultural Identity, Social Cohesion, Perceived Cultural Continuity, Suzhou Ancient City
Abstract
The research investigates the social and cultural effects of urban redevelopment on community dynamics in ancient cities, taking Suzhou Ancient City in China as a case study. It seeks to evaluate how redevelopment efforts, specifically physical infrastructure overhaul, cultural heritage conservation efforts, and residential and land use shifts, impact social cohesion, cultural identity, and satisfaction among residents, with perceived cultural continuity considered as a mediating variable. A quantitative research design was employed involving structured questionnaires administered to 189 Suzhou Ancient City residents. Measurement scales were borrowed from pre-tested previous studies. Statistical analysis using SPSS was used to examine direct and mediating relationships among the variables. The findings showed that all three dimensions of redevelopment contribute positively towards residents' social cohesion, sense of cultural identity, and satisfaction with the redevelopment process. Also, perceived cultural continuity plays a key mediating role between redevelopment efforts and the three outcome variables, which shows the key importance of preserving cultural narrative and identity throughout the redevelopment process. This research offers empirical data from a richly historic Chinese city and adds to the literature of urban planning by emphasizing the significance of cultural continuity. It provides theoretical and practical lessons for policymakers to secure heritage-sensitive urbanization in ancient urban environments.