Abstract
China's unprecedented rate of urbanization inevitably hastens the trend of urban sprawl and redevelopment. The deterioration of building structures and socio-spatial issues in old downtown districts have been exacerbated by the force of urban expansion. Chengdu, as one of China's new first-tier cities, has also demonstrated the importance of urban regeneration, particularly in the old downtown district neighbourhood. Two significant renewal projects have been launched as part of the government-led urban regeneration initiatives. The ‘Tianfu Abundance’ Project (TAP) is launched with the objective of redeveloping the central region while incorporating culture-led regeneration strategies. Meanwhile, the Old Neighbourhood Regeneration Project (ONRP) is managed through a ‘micro-renewal’ governance that encompasses both building upgrades and cultural and heritage inheritance. The purpose of this study is to explore the social-spatial impacts of TAP and ONRP on old neighbourhood and examine relevant factors from end-users’ perspectives. A qualitative research method is adopted to gain a thorough knowledge of how local residents experienced the neighbourhood changes under the forces of the TAP and ONRP. Semi-structured interviews of 13 individuals including former local residents, inhabitants/planners/designers from other historic neighbourhoods, were conducted online. Thematic analysis of interview data is conducted using R-based Qualitative Data Analysis. Findings suggest that current urban renewal projects e.g., TAP and ONRP, are forms of state-led gentrification with culture-led regeneration strategy undertaken by Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). The main socio-spatial impacts of urban renewal projects on old neighbourhoods, as perceived by participants, are (1) socio-spatial inequalities and (2) socio-cultural changes. Five key perceived factors related to these impacts are (1) variance of building condition, (2) force of government, (3) force of CCIs, (4) neighbourhood governance, and (5) demographic displacement. The study underscores the critical role of public participation in developing more people-centric and integrated cultural and economic strategies for future urban regeneration projects in China.