The History and Heritage of the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Memorial Museum : The function of documentary heritage in urban development

Abstract: Shanghai is one of has been a city of high economic and social importance since the early 20th century. The form and historical background of cultural heritages in its downtown districts is different to those in other Chinese cities with protected historical areas such as for instance the Bund area. The text identifies the uniqueness of heritage management regulations in Shanghai, and put forward questions about the function of documentary heritage in urban development with a case study about the newly updated Shanghai Jewish Refugees Memorial Museum. The general urban development of Shanghai is reviewed in the context of the incorporation of heritage in urban planning and specifically the development plans for the Bund area where the museum is located. The history of the Jewish community in Shanghai and of the museum itself is analysed based on the museum exhibition and layout, as also the experience of museum visitors. The thesis builds on archive studies, peer interviews and survey investigation. 292 survey answers have been collected from visitors on the experience of the museum. The results of the survey together with the interviews, individual experience and policy studies, are drawn upon to discuss the role of the museum in urban planning and how it can be developed. It is stressed that the documentary heritage is helpful in minimizing conflict between the everyday experience of heritage and amore exclusive academically informed view on heritage. It is also recommended that multidirectional support will be constructed between document collection, historically reserved areas and the central business district in Shanghai.