Between empire and nation

This chapter examines Dalian&s;s evolving approach to colonial heritage management amid China&s;s rapid urbanisation. Through successive Russian, Japanese, and Soviet regimes (1898–1955), followed by socialist industrialisation and market reforms, the city&s;s development reflects broader transitions in Chinese borderland cities. While Dalian initially managed its colonial legacy through contrasting approaches—romanticising Russian heritage while neutralising Japanese sites—mounting development pressures and new preservation policies have forced a pragmatic shift. The transformation of Dongguan Street exemplifies this transition, revealing a distinctive form of heritage-led gentrification that differs from Western models, as government policy, market forces, and political considerations reshape colonial spaces. This study reveals how Chinese cities negotiate between historical memory, development imperatives, and national identity in heritage preservation.