Work

Waterscape of belonging: symbolic water infrastructure, governance legitimacy, and urban identity in Shanghai

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Urban expansion in rapidly developing regions increasingly relies not merely on technical infrastructure but on symbolic spatial design as a means of identity construction. This study investigates how Shanghai’s regenerated waterscapes operate as symbolic infrastructures that shape public perceptions of governance and belonging. Drawing on 36 in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the research examines citizens’ interpretations of revitalized canals, eco-corridors, and digital water systems. The findings indicate that three-quarters of participants (75.0%) embed biographical memory and local belonging into regenerated waterscapes, whereas an even larger share (80.6%) interprets governance through ritualized maintenance, signage, and visible responsiveness. This study concludes that these symbolic attachments enable water infrastructure to legitimize state authority and reinforce social cohesion in contemporary China.

Source: Frontiers in Environmental Science

DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2025.1666629

Authors: Yuanbo Qi, Panpan Huang

Institution: Donghua University

Language: English

Topic: Water Governance and Infrastructure

Subfield: Political Science and International Relations

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Sustainable cities and communities, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801