Older adults’ contribution to urban heritage conservation: a preliminary study on participatory art practices in Guancheng District, Zhengzhou, China

This study investigates the roles of older adults as active agents in urban heritage, focusing on how participatory art practices enhance their contributions within China’s rapidly ageing society. Based on a pilot case study and focus group discussions in Zhengzhou’s Guancheng District, four primary contributions by older adults to urban heritage conservation have been identified. These contributions include acting as practitioners and advocates for heritage conservation, facilitating intergenerational education, participating in the monitoring and formulation of heritage policies, and fostering community cohesion and local identity. The findings suggest that participatory art significantly enhances the awareness and cultural engagement of older adults in heritage. Older adults demonstrate their capacity to generate positive public value for communities and stakeholders alike, while simultaneously challenging prevailing age-based prejudice and reinforcing their role in sustaining community heritage and cohesion.