The Impact of Revitalization on the Vibrancy of Historic Districts: The Case of Hefei City God Temple District

<p>This study investigates the impact of revitalization projects on the multi dimensional vibrancy of historic districts, with a primary focus on the Hefei City God Temple District and comparative analyses of three similar cases: Shanghai City God Temple, Xi’an Capital City God Temple, and Nanjing Confucius Temple. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed to assess cultural, social, and economic vibrancy, integrating GIS spatial analysis, stakeholder questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and text mining of Dianping reviews. </p><p></p><p>Findings revealed that Hefei’s revitalization achieved significant physical space restoration, including infrastructure upgrades and architectural preservation, but concurrently led to a decline in intangible cultural vibrancy, as evidenced by the homogenization of cultural activities and displacement of traditional crafts. Socially, formal interactions were enhanced through improved public spaces and organized events, yet informal public engagement was eroded due to the removal of spontaneous gathering spots and street vending. Economically, while a boost in commercial activity was observed, rising rents, the disappearance of specialized markets, and the proliferation of homogenized retail have threatened its long-term sustainability. </p><p></p><p>Drawing on the Hefei case and conducting cross-case comparisons, it was concluded that the success of historic district revitalization depends on a context-sensitive strategy that balances physical upgrades with the preservation of cultural authenticity and the fostering of social cohesion. This approach is critical to addressing the tensions between development and heritage conservation, ensuring vibrancy is sustained across cultural, social, and economic dimensions.</p>