Sustaining the Fabric of Time: Urban Heritage, Time Rupture, and Sustainable Development

Kaixuan Wang () and Kalliopi Fouseki
Additional contact information
Kaixuan Wang: Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
Kalliopi Fouseki: Institute for Sustainable Heritage, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-23

Abstract: This paper explores the concept of time rupture, i.e., the disruption of historical continuity caused by rapid urbanization, and its implications for urban heritage preservation, using Dongjiadu in Shanghai as a case study. Time rupture highlights the disconnection between modern development and cultural heritage, often diluting local identity and a sense of place. While it presents challenges to the continuity of urban heritage, it also creates opportunities to redefine historical narratives and enrich cultural meaning. By introducing a temporal framework, this study examines the dynamic interplay between heritage preservation and modernity, advocating for adaptive, context-sensitive strategies that move beyond static conservation methods. These strategies acknowledge the fragmented overlaps of urban timelines, ensuring that heritage sites remain vibrant, living components of urban environments. The Dongjiadu case illustrates two distinct categories of time rupture, underscoring the need for sustainable practices that harmonize cultural continuity with contemporary growth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of inclusive practices, community engagement, and the critical integration of technological advancements to address time rupture effectively. By incorporating a temporal perspective into heritage conservation, it is possible to bridge historical continuity and modern development, foster resilience in urban environments, and enable cities to adapt to rapid change while retaining their cultural essence. Ultimately, addressing time rupture through thoughtful, adaptive strategies ensures that urban heritage actively contributes to the sustainability and vitality of evolving cities.

Keywords: urban heritage; sustainable development; time rupture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/193/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/193/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:1:p:193-:d:1570352

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().