The design of metro stations constitutes a clear example of the new core role of culture in a city such as Shanghai that remains to be assessed from a critical heritage perspective.As an unexplored dimension of a mass...The design of metro stations constitutes a clear example of the new core role of culture in a city such as Shanghai that remains to be assessed from a critical heritage perspective.As an unexplored dimension of a massive heritage institutional apparatus,metro stations act as‘white canvases’where commercial,political and cultural messages are displayed.These messages contribute to city branding while simultaneously influencing the perception and interpretation of the historic urban landscape above ground.This research offers insights into the subway stations located in the listed heritage areas of Shanghai and the architectural,artistic and exhibitive resources that‘give character’to these stations.The research applies visual methods and discursive analysis based on direct observation of these‘characteristic’elements in metro stations.The paper establishes the argument that the amount and distribution of these characteristic elements in the metro network offers unequal representation of the importance of the heritage areas above.When represented,we argue that such features convey renewed narratives of urban identity according to an authorised heritage discourse in Shanghai.These narratives cater to an image of ideal,harmonious continuity between the past and the future that aims to characterise Shanghai as a Chinese global metropolis.展开更多
基金The author received funding from the Eastern Scholar Program of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.
文摘The design of metro stations constitutes a clear example of the new core role of culture in a city such as Shanghai that remains to be assessed from a critical heritage perspective.As an unexplored dimension of a massive heritage institutional apparatus,metro stations act as‘white canvases’where commercial,political and cultural messages are displayed.These messages contribute to city branding while simultaneously influencing the perception and interpretation of the historic urban landscape above ground.This research offers insights into the subway stations located in the listed heritage areas of Shanghai and the architectural,artistic and exhibitive resources that‘give character’to these stations.The research applies visual methods and discursive analysis based on direct observation of these‘characteristic’elements in metro stations.The paper establishes the argument that the amount and distribution of these characteristic elements in the metro network offers unequal representation of the importance of the heritage areas above.When represented,we argue that such features convey renewed narratives of urban identity according to an authorised heritage discourse in Shanghai.These narratives cater to an image of ideal,harmonious continuity between the past and the future that aims to characterise Shanghai as a Chinese global metropolis.