Neighborhood micro-renewal: a perspective of gene in China
Guochao Zhao, Xiaofen Yu, Juanfeng Zhang, Wenxia Li, Peiyi Wu
Abstract
Purpose Improvement of the environment quality and human development has become the main focus of modern urban development. Micro-renewal is a relatively people-oriented model of urban transformation compared with traditional renewal modes. To improve the theoretical system of neighborhood micro-renewal from a microcosmic perspective, a comprehensive analysis of neighborhood residents' cognition is needed. The purpose of the study is to explore the possibilities and methods of applying gene theory into the study of neighborhood micro-renewal. Design/methodology/approach According to the meme theory, the research explores the genetic analysis of neighborhood micro-renewal. The cross-over studies with “gene theory” from natural science to social science are analyzed and the neighborhood micro-renewal system was constructed from the perspective of micro-participants and micro-objects. Moreover, the concept of neighborhood “micro-renewal gene” was put forward. Finally, the authors show three application scenarios of public participation with a specific neighborhood micro-renewal project. Findings The cross research on urban studies with gene theory could be divided into three scales and four research fields. The characteristics of carrying out neighborhood micro-renewal in China could be summarized as micro-participants and micro-objects. Residents' cognition could be considered as “micro-renewal gene” in refer to meme theory. The application scenarios of introducing “micro-renewal gene” into the study of neighborhood renewal are of great potentialities. Originality/value Neighborhood micro-renewal system was constructed from the perspective of micro-participants and micro-objects. Moreover, neighborhood “micro-renewal gene” was proposed and applied into the study of this system in refer to meme theory.