A Study on the Commercialization of Historic Districts

Existing studies on the commercialization of historic districts mainly focuses on the description of such districts or a critical analysis of commodification of culture.There is a lack of in-depth analysis of the commodification phenomenon .The paper summarizes different types of commercial practices,theory,as well as positive or negative effects of commercialization.It is argued that commercialization is the outcome of space requirements shaped by cognitive power, rent-seeking behaviors,tourism,experience economy and other socio-economic factors .And among them,the cognitive power of the economic value and rent bidding is the initial momentum pushing commodification of historic districts while consumer culture,the experience economy,cultural industries and the tourism industry provide further pushes.The paper suggests that planning should properly guide the commercialization of the historic district toward a harmonious,comprehensive ,meaningful transformation.