RT Conference Proceedings
SR 00
A1 Xie, Shuyi
T1 Challenges to authenticity: Exploring the social transformations of historic Chinatowns in United States for sustainable urban development through the case of San Francisco
YR 2018
FD 13-14th December 2017
K1 local communities
K1 authenticity
K1 immigration
K1 real-estate pressure
K1 historic quarters
K1 sustainable development
K1 urban areas
K1 social transformation
K1 United States
K1 cultural identity
K1 cultural background
K1 gentrification
K1 Tourism
K1 Town planning
K1 United States of America
K1 USA
AB The last decades have witnessed plentiful historic Chinatowns in the world which have been  becoming more diverse communities and facing challenges to authenticity. With the introduction of  authenticity and transformation on the worldwide historic Chinatowns, especially in United States, this  article focuses on the one in San Francisco, which could be dated back to the 1840s, and is the largest  Chinese community outside Asia, with the longest history in North America. While, as more and more  different groups of population with distinct cultural background settled there, this historic settlement, in  the increasingly open and super-diverse society, has raised public concern on how it could be  simultaneously authentic to Chinese heritage and also a multicultural space. Moreover, gentrification has  sent considerable shockwaves to this once stable ‘old world’, bringing out the climbing rent and potential  population displacement. Thus, it has been deteriorating into a touristic ‘thematic park’, resulting in a  decrease of its original inhabitants and habitability conditions, against the sustainable urban development.  Also, considerable local traditional community functions and small business have been struggling against  some contemporary living styles and accompanying new consumption patterns. Last but not the least, as  an aging community it is worthwhile to underscore the role played by the youth including the incoming  diverse settlers, especially involving in inheritance, nostalgia, belonging and responsibility. To conclude,  this article discusses the transformation and possible future of historic Chinatown of San Francisco, when  facing the above challenges to authenticity, and further explores feasible and effective strategies to retain  its historic authenticity within this increasingly diversified and fast-developing society for future  sustainable urban development, in order to inspire following exploration to solve the similar dilemmas in  other historic settlements in the world.
T2 ICOMOS 19th General Assembly and Scientific Symposium "Heritage and Democracy"
ED New Delhi, India
AV Published
LK http://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/1965/