Reflections on the Dilemma of Residential Area Regeneration in Historic Districts Based on ERG Theory: A Case Study of Diaoyutai Historic District in Nanjing

The report of the 20^th National Congress of the Communist Party of China emphasizes the need to thoroughly implement the people-centered development philosophy, promoting a new era of urban planning that prioritizes the needs of the people. Accordingly, addressing the genuine needs of people is an essential component of contemporary urban regeneration and community governance. Residential areas in historic districts face dual developmental demands, i.e., the preservation of historical characteristics and the improvement of residents’ quality of life. Based on this premise, this paper introduces the humanistic ERG theory to analyze its relevance in addressing the complex human-environment relationships, degraded living conditions, and the difficulties of coordinating multi-stakeholder interests in the residential area regeneration in historic districts in China. Through an empirical case study of the Diaoyutai historic district in Nanjing, the paper clarifies the coordination mechanisms among residents, government, and society in the regeneration and governance of such areas. It concludes by proposing people-oriented and sustainable strategies for regeneration and governance, aiming to inform and inspire similar urban planning and governance practices in other historic districts across China.