Place-making of “new nostalgic space” in urban development: The case of Lane 1192 in China

In order to shape a nostalgic atmosphere, recreating traditional built environments has emerged as a new spatial typology in China's urban development, termed in this paper as "new nostalgic space". Although scholars have extensively discussed this spatial phenomenon from various perspectives, a comprehensive and dialectical understanding has yet to be fully formed, particularly at the level of place-making. Taking Lane 1192 in Shanghai as a case study, this paper employs qualitative research methods to illustrate how different roles shape a nostalgic atmosphere and stimulate emotional resonance, aiming to explore the process, approach, and logic of place-making while discussing the academic debate on authenticity. The findings reveal a dynamic and interactive place-making logic involving four core elements: filtering, construction, landscaping, and imagination. It creates a sense of place through cyclic practice, ultimately resulting in place identity. It demonstrates that beyond materiality, everyday life and experiences equally hold an indispensable role in shaping the authenticity and meanings of places.