Minding the gap : the heritagization of metro stations and its perception by users in the Shanghai metro

Abstract

The analysis of the perception of heritage features, artworks, and exhibitions in the metro stations of great cities remains greatly in the realm of the technical, without considering heritage’s dimension as one of the multiform tactics of governmentality. Analyzing the impact that the ‘heritagization’ of metro stations has in travelers and staff is a key to evaluate its role, beyond acritical assumptions about its beneficial effect on users’ wellness and education. This paper will study the perception that users have of heritage representations incorporated to a selection of stations in the 12 heritage listed areas of Shanghai. Based on semi-structured interviews, this research will study the user’s interpretation of the interaction that heritage representations underground establish with the heritage above ground, as well as their awareness about heritage narratives at play in the metro. As we will argue, even if the heritagization of metro stations operates according to strict top-down procedures, its perception by users varies in different degrees of awareness, acceptance and contestation, which even question the efficiency of its governmentality purpose.