Another form of 'Chinese characteristics'? : a study of the Kaifeng top-down reconstruction model from the perspective of users

Abstract

Reconstruction refers to “the process of building again something that has been destroyed or damaged,” it is “a technical process for the restitution of destroyed or severely damaged physical assets and infrastructure.” Reconstruction does not necessarily mean recreating something exactly as it was. Rather, it is a new form of interpretation. Over the past decades, reconstruction has generally been discouraged in international legislation and guidelines as this approach may falsify history. However, in an age that is characterized by the growing threats of climate change, continuous destructive attacks on heritage sites, and disturbing return to socio-political and religious certainties, it is more than ever the time to reflect on the potential reconstruction of historic buildings and evaluate the existing reconstruction models in the world, with the aim of improving them. This thesis analyses one specific type of reconstruction model in China – Kaifeng’s contemporary top-down reconstruction model. It begins with an introduction of the historical background of Kaifeng and continues with an analysis of its reconstruction model. Backed by theories of Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD), the study explains how the model has gained local acceptance. The latter portion identifies several problems brought about by this reconstruction model through a specific study of Imperial Street in Kaifeng. This thesis, therefore, suggests that this type of top-down reconstruction model should be gradually displaced. With the aim of avoiding similar situations, the concluding remarks provide critical reflections and recommendations addressing the identified problems.