Power distribution and residents’ attitudes toward heritage conservation: Historic street in Jingziguan Town, China

Using Ming–Qing Street (MQS) in Jingziguan Town, China, as a case study, this study examines how governance-related power structures and management processes shape residents' attitudes toward heritage conservation. The analysis integrates the “structures and processes” dimension of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) with the attitude component of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). Based on qualitative fieldwork, the study draws on observations and semi-structured interviews with 26 respondents and analyses the data using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that in economically declining and marginalised areas such as MQS, top-down power structures foster widespread indifference toward heritage conservation, while governance strategies that overlook residents’ needs increase livelihood pressures. The resulting imbalance in power structures and governance processes intensifies tensions between the community and government, contributing to generally negative resident attitudes toward conservation. The study highlights the importance of addressing governance structures and livelihood conditions when promoting community participation in heritage conservation.