Title The fragmented politics of urban preservation : Beijing, Chicago, and Paris / Yue Zhang

Published Minneapolis : University of Minnesota Press, [2013] ©2013

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Description 1 online resource (201 pages) : illustrations, maps Series Globalization and community ; 22 Globalization and community ; 22. Contents Introduction : The Paradox of Urban Preservation -- The Logic of Political Fragmentation -- Beijing : Bureaucratic Anarchy and Symbolic Preservation -- Chicago : Aldermanic Fiefdoms and Mosaic Preservation -- Paris : Intergovernmental Competition and Joint Preservation -- Conclusion : Political Boundaries and Beyond Summary While urban preservation is almost as old as cities themselves, it has become increasingly controversial in modern cities. In this book, the author presents a cross-national comparative analysis of the politics of urban preservation. Based on comprehensive archival research and more than two hundred in-depth interviews in Beijing, Chicago, and Paris, the author finds that urban preservation provides a tool for diverse political and social actors to frame their propositions and advance their favored courses of action. In cities from West to East, divergent political and economic interests have caused urban preservation to become contested. Exploring three of the world's great cities, the author deftly navigates readers through each case study, illustrating the complexities of the politics of urban preservation in each city. In Beijing, urban preservation was integral to promoting economic growth and enhancing the city's image during the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics; in Chicago, it is used to increase property values and revitalize neighborhoods; and in Paris, it offers a channel for national and municipal governments to compete for control over urban space. Although urban preservation serves various purposes in these cities, the author explains how different types of political fragmentation have affected the implementation of preservation initiatives in predictable ways, thus generating distinct patterns of urban preservation. A comparative urban politics study of unusual breadth, this book gives us insight into the complex policy process of urban preservation through which political institutions are intertwined with interests and inclinations, fundamentally shaping the direction of urban development, the physical forms of cities, and the lives of citizens. -- Provided by publisher Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes English Print version record Subject Historic preservation -- Political aspects -- Case studies Historic preservation -- Political aspects -- China -- Beijing Historic preservation -- Political aspects -- Illinois -- Chicago Historic preservation -- Political aspects -- France -- Paris Urban renewal -- Political aspects -- Case studies Urban renewal -- Political aspects -- China -- Beijing Urban renewal -- Political aspects -- Illinois -- Chicago Urban renewal -- Political aspects -- France -- Paris ARCHITECTURE -- General. Urban renewal -- Political aspects China -- Beijing France -- Paris Illinois -- Chicago Genre/Form Electronic books Case studies Form Electronic book ISBN 9780816688180 0816688184 9781461944119 1461944112 1299950000 9781299950009 9781452948836 1452948836

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