A study of old and dilapidated communities operation from the perspective of spatial rescaling: A case of 'Property City' governance in Tangjiadun subdistrict, Wuhan

Housing, where urban regeneration occurs most frequently, is a valuable spatial resource closely linked to residents. However, massive old and dilapidated communities are trapped in a dual plight of functional decline and value loss due to the absence of formal operation. Qualitative methods are used in this paper to investigate the governance practice of 'Property City' in Tangjiadun subdistrict, Wuhan, which achieved the long-term operation through an integrated approach. The study found that: (1) The multi-stage public-private partnership formed the collaborative governance. (2) The case communities is embedded in integrated governance through horizontal and hierarchical rescaling of operation responsibilities. (3) The case balanced the funds and established an affordable, micro-profitable and sustainable operation mechanism based on the operation of the public assets. The study improves the full life-cycle analysis framework of urban redevelopment and reveals the indispensable role of operation for private property in urban regeneration. Operation mechanisms urgently need to be established in old and dilapidated communities to preserve and increase the value of housing while reducing the frequency and financial burden of urban regeneration.