Art, architecture, and audience: residents’ perspectives on Changzhou’s developing cultural sites

This thesis investigates the role of cultural sites in the urban development of Changzhou, a second-tier city in China, focusing on the perspectives and experiences of residents. Through surveys, interviews, on-site observations, document analysis, and secondary data sources, the research examines three case studies: the Changzhou Museum, the Changzhou Art Museum,and Qingguo Lane Historical and Cultural District.

The research employs a multi-dimensional analytical framework integrating spatial theory, audience research, and cultural site theory to explore the complex interplay between architectural space, place perception, local culture, aesthetic experience, and participatorypractices. Key findings reveal the complementarity and synergy among different types of cultural sites in shaping the city’s cultural ecology, the importance of localised development strategies grounded in community needs and cultural resources, the delicate balance between tradition and innovation in cultural site design, and the transformation of cultural sites into open, diverse, and dynamic public spaces in the contemporary context.

The thesis argues for a proactive, people-centred approach to cultural site development thatemphasises authentic cultural representation, emotional resonance, multisensory aesthetics, and inclusive participation. It highlights the value of audience insights in guiding the planning, design, and operation of cultural sites, and proposes a vision of cultural sites as vibrantecosystems that connect the past, present, and future of the city. The case studies of Changzhou provide valuable references for other second-tier cities in China and beyond, contributing to the ongoing discourse on the social role and cultural significance of cultural sites in the era of urbanisation and cultural globalisation.