Historic Conservation Area Policy and Partial Shrinkage in an Expanding Megacity in China: Microscale Study of 9 Jiedao with 14 Historic Conservation Areas in Old Liwan, Guangzhou, China

Historic conservation is closely connected with the phenomenon of partial shrinkage in the rapidly developing megacity of Guangzhou. Nine jiedao (subdistricts) including 14 historic conservation areas in old Liwan were selected to observe the shrinkage phenomenon from four aspects, namely, the population growth rate, population aging, economic growth, and vitality of public life. The relationships between old Liwan and changes in the city's development strategy and between conservation policies and urban renewal operations were explored by tracking three stages of shrinkage. Findings show that shrinkage in jiedao with HCAs in growing megacities was not caused by historic conservation but one of the results of complicated relationship. This study played a vital role in clarifying the partial shrinkage in the historic conservation areas in developing Asian megacities at the microscale while providing a reference for urban planning and policy making.