No abstract

Since the 21 st century, cultural creativity has become a prominent way to revitalize cultural heritage such as historical buildings and historical landscapes. However, many current practices are dominated by the government, and the factors affecting individual willingness to participate are still unclear. In this study, 28 respondents (16 men, 12 women) were recruited in Chengdu, China, through semi-structured interviews, and the interview data were qualitatively evaluated using thematic analysis. The results show that the influencing factors mainly include six themes: "inclusion of creative environment", "economic investment risk", "potential development space", "information access channels", "uncertainty of the creative product quality", and "creation level." The findings will have important implications for the protection and development of current and future cultural heritage and strengthen the construction of creative cities in specific cultural heritage contexts.

Much current discussion about the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health focuses on urban green space and rarely on historic conservation areas (HCAs). With the pandemic’s lasting influence and advances in medical technology, people’s mental health needs and attitudes toward epidemic prevention changed, and the importance of HCAs has received great attention. This study aims to explore the positive impact of heritage tourism on mental recovery under the influence of the pandemic. The Kuanzhai Alley HCA was selected as the location for the field survey and in-depth interviews. A total of 48 respondents were recruited for the semi-structured interviews, and qualitative data were analyzed through MAXQDA 2020, and the motives and mental feedback of tourists visiting Kuanzhai Alley were summarized. The results showed that there is great landscape integrity and continuity in the area. During the pandemic, the inclusive cultural atmosphere, human-based spatial scale, and cultural activities in the form of intangible heritage, such as Sichuan opera and live-action role-playing (LARP), had significant effects on eliminating loneliness, relieving anxiety, and improving happiness. The study results are expected to provide reference and guidance for current and future management of heritage tourism, social well-being, and a sustainable cultural economy.

Many Chinese people view the heritage of industrial modernization (HOIM) negatively, which leads to a lack of appreciation and conservation efforts. This study aims to verify and discuss the efficacy of the present protection system, examining the link between HOIM facility openness and its affecting aspects. To achieve this goal, this study establishes a database of 132 projects focused on HOIM in Shenyang, a prototypical city of China’s contemporary growth. It analyzes their distribution patterns and preservation condition, and analytical methods such as correspondence analysis and regression analysis are used. The results reveal that factors such as private enterprises as facility users and conversion into cultural and commercial facilities have a positive impact on the openness of HOIM, of which cases increased after the establishment of the local protection system. To use private capital more flexibly and effectively, ways to improve the relationship between the rights and obligations of the government and private subjects in the protection system must be considered in future. This study clarifies the panorama of the conservation situation of HOIM and offers insights that may contribute to improving the protection system in local cities in China, such as Shenyang, in the future.