Measuring the Degree of Residents’ Integration in Heritage Site Conservation and Utilization—A Case Study of Han Chang’an City Heritage Area

Jingxuan Wu, Dingqing Zhang (), Yilin Wang, Jieru Ji, Yufei Li, Yiqing Zhao (), Yingtao Qi, Ding Ma and Jing Ying
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Jingxuan Wu: XJTU-POLIMI Joint School, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Dingqing Zhang: School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Yilin Wang: XJTU-POLIMI Joint School, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Jieru Ji: XJTU-POLIMI Joint School, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Yufei Li: XJTU-POLIMI Joint School, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Yiqing Zhao: School of Humanities and Social Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Yingtao Qi: School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Ding Ma: Research Institute for Smart Cities, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Jing Ying: School of Economics, Ningbo Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University, Ningbo 315100, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: A persistent conflict exists between heritage site conservation and local residents’ livelihood development, often described as “site conservation restricting regional development, and regional development damaging site conservation”. As key stakeholders, residents often have insufficient participation and limited benefits. This issue weakens their connection with the heritage site and also hinders the realization of its social value. In response to the lack of quantitative analysis in this field, this study introduces the concept of “degree of residents’ integration” and constructs an evaluation model based on participation and benefit. The model was applied to four villages within the Han Chang’an City Site in Xi’an, China. Through literature analysis and field investigations, characteristic elements of residents’ integration were identified and classified into five dimensions, comprising 17 indicators. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and the Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) method, a quantitative index system is constructed and applied to survey data to assess the residents’ integration degree. Results show an overall integration score of 64.31, indicating a moderate level. Dimensions related to industry and economy, and culture and leisure scored higher, while social welfare and subjective consciousness scored lower, reflecting weaker benefit perception and engagement. Its main contribution is proposing and operationalizing the “degree of residents’ integration” concept, providing a quantitative, replicable framework.

Keywords: heritage conservation and utilization; resident integration; analytic hierarchy process; fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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