2022
DOI: 10.1177/00420980221107318
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Consuming ‘authenticity’? Reinterpreting the ‘new middle class’ in China through the lens of retailing changes

Abstract: If gentrification is occurring globally, we must understand the uneven intervention of globalisation in the production of a (global) gentrifier class. This paper adopts a comparative perspective to investigate the ‘new middle class’ within China’s urban context. Through the critical examination of subtle retailing changes, it discusses how recent place-making strategies have fabricated the aura of ‘authenticity’ built upon the history of traditional residential neighbourhoods, attracting gentrifiers, whose con… Show more

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Cited by 6 publications
(3 citation statements)
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“…Indeed, authenticity has become a major force in shaping contemporary urban life ( Tate and Shannon 2018 ). As a place-making strategy ( Cao 2022 ), diff erent ideas of authenticity are mobilized as discursive devices with real and practical eff ects on enhancing the heritage value in the rehabilitation and preservation of historic centres ( Barnes et al 2006 ) or on rendering the unique characteristics of a location into a commodity as is often the case in top-down revitalization projects of ethnic and deprived urban areas (see for instance Sánchez-Fuarros 2017 ). In her book Naked City: The Death and Life of Authentic Urban Places ( 2010 ), sociologist Sharon Zukin explores the powerful paradox at the root of this phenomenon: how the pervasive demand for experiences of authenticity, mostly by educated urbanites and tourists, is destroying the local uniqueness of the very urban places they seem to venerate.…”
Section: Tourism Ambiance and Authenticitymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Indeed, authenticity has become a major force in shaping contemporary urban life ( Tate and Shannon 2018 ). As a place-making strategy ( Cao 2022 ), diff erent ideas of authenticity are mobilized as discursive devices with real and practical eff ects on enhancing the heritage value in the rehabilitation and preservation of historic centres ( Barnes et al 2006 ) or on rendering the unique characteristics of a location into a commodity as is often the case in top-down revitalization projects of ethnic and deprived urban areas (see for instance Sánchez-Fuarros 2017 ). In her book Naked City: The Death and Life of Authentic Urban Places ( 2010 ), sociologist Sharon Zukin explores the powerful paradox at the root of this phenomenon: how the pervasive demand for experiences of authenticity, mostly by educated urbanites and tourists, is destroying the local uniqueness of the very urban places they seem to venerate.…”
Section: Tourism Ambiance and Authenticitymentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In this sense, city dwellers are similar to representatives of the "new middle class" in China, where everything Western is considered more prestigious and status-oriented, and thus more in line with the identity of a young and educated person. (Cao, 2022). This is also reflected in the prevalence of foreign names in the linguistic landscape.…”
Section: Figure No 3 Establishments In the City Centermentioning
confidence: 99%
“…In Japan, one prevalent example is the adoption of Western-style wedding ceremonies. This trend gained popularity in the 20th century where the number of Western-style weddings in Japan increased by 16% between 2010 and 2014 (Cao, 2023). While this borrowing can be seen as a way to celebrate and incorporate different traditions, it is important to ensure that the original cultural elements are respected and not misrepresented.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%