THE EVOLUTION OF URBAN NOSTALGIA SPACE AND MULTIPLE PARTICIPANT'S CONSTRUCTION: A CASE STUDY OF TONGJI BRIDGE IN FOSHAN
LI Fan1,2, YANG Jian-bo1,2, HUANG Wei1,2
1. Tourism Department, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China;
2. Center for Land Resources Environment and Tourism Research, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China
Abstract Based on a presentation of the evolution process of the urban nostalgic space in Foshan, the paper explores the construction of urban nostalgic spaces from the perspectives of multiple subjectivities. The findings indicate that: 1) From the original construction to the later-on ruination and the final reconstruction of the bridge, the nostalgic space of Tongji Bridge has correspondingly undergone three stages of spatial evolution, namely, from the initial type to the reflective and then the restorative type of nostalgic space, the process of which, while vividly illustrates how nostalgia triggered and has continuously influenced social renewal and changes encharged with political and commercial elements not only at present but also in the future and the past, has also echoed responses from relevant socio-cultural geographical processes. 2) During the evolution process of the nostalgic space of Tongji Bridge, place identity, which used to be dominated by the interior cultures, has now been brought under the dual influences of the interior and exterior cultures, thus bringing about the reconstruction of sense of place, and with the interference of exterior powers, nostalgic spaces have been transformed from being local, individual and interior to governmental, commercialized, collective and interior-exterior. This paper contributes to the ever growing body of geographical researches on nostalgic space and provides practical implications on current preservation practices of urban historical cultures and nostalgic space.
2015, Vol. 30 
