Achieving Neighborhood-Level Collaborative Governance through Participatory Regeneration: Cases of Three Residential Heritage Neighborhoods in Shanghai

Residential heritage neighborhoods in China are experiencing a transformation from large-scale demolishment, which is associated with relocating residents, to small-scale neighborhood regeneration, and distinctive models of participatory regeneration are emerging. Participatory regeneration is increasingly considered to be an effective way to achieve multiple goals in urban development; however, little research has investigated the impacts of participatory regeneration on achieving neighborhood-based collaborative governance. This study aims to explore which mechanisms associated with participatory regeneration facilitate or constrain neighborhood-based collaborative governance, using case studies in Shanghai. Based on the investigation of three nuanced pathways in participatory regeneration, this study compares four dimensions associated with participatory regeneration (i.e., participatory decision-making, inclusion, collective problem-solving, and power-sharing) and explores key mechanisms that are applicable for achieving collaborative governance in different scenarios, aiming to enhance social development and social sustainability in future. The findings indicate that although grassroots government played vital roles in participatory heritage neighborhood regeneration through financial support and supervision strategies, facilitating mechanisms could still be observed for achieving collaborative governance. Furthermore, this study provides suggestions for planners in building collaborative governance in other developing areas which are experiencing rapid urbanization with strong state interventions.