Understanding experimental governance of urban regeneration from the perspective of social learning – the case of Kingway Brewery in Shenzhen

ABSTRACT

This study aims to examine the experimental governance of urban regeneration in China from the perspective of social learning, through an empirical study of a pilot project called Kingway Brewery in Shenzhen. Single-loop and double-loop learning have contributed to policy innovation, through converting tacit knowledge from experimental pilot projects into explicit and codified knowledge in policy-making. Problem and strategy framing incrementally became more mature and structured, during the deliberative interaction of continuous experimental practice and social learning. In the micro processes of social learning and policy innovation, planners play a crucial role as intermediators and knowledge brokers.

KEYWORDS:

• Urban Regeneration
• experimental governance
• social learning
• policy innovation
• problem framing

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by Guangzhou Philosophy and Social Sciences (No. 2020GZYB54), Guangdong Philosophy and Social Sciences (No. GD19YYS07), and Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (No. 2021A1515110276). The authors kindly acknowledge the contribution of Gerhard Kienast from Kassel University to the revision of the paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. In this policy framework of ‘three olds’, progressing urbanization has gradually led to the incorporation of three types of neglected areas that are in need of urban regeneration. Those are declining and run-down old towns, former industrial sites and urban villages. The regeneration of former manufacturing sites is a relatively new challenge.

2. Guanxi refers to the social network of mutually beneficial personal and business relationships in the Chinese context.

3. According to this document, it claimed that ‘for historical buildings that are preserved and handed over to the government without compensation, the award will be 1.5 times the floor area of the preserved building and the sum of the projected area of the preserved structures; if the building has other significant conservation value, the award may be increased appropriately’.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Guangdong Philosophy and Social Sciences [GD19YYS07]; Guangzhou Philosophy and Social Sciences [2020GZYB54]; Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation [2021A1515110276].