Shanghai's Waterscapes: Why Revitalized Canals Become Symbols of Identity?

Shanghai is turning its old canals, green corridors, and even digital water systems into true "waterscapes." It's not just about better traffic or prettier streets: these spaces become symbols that tell who we are and how the government looks after us. Researchers interviewed 36 residents, asking what they felt when looking at the renovated places. The result? 75 % said they felt a stronger bond with their neighbourhood, as if the water carried family memories and daily life. Even more striking, 80 % interpreted the presence of signs, regular maintenance, and quick responses to emergencies as signs of attentive, legitimate governance. In practice, Shanghai's waters are not just canals: they are "symbolic infrastructures" that boost belonging and trust in institutions. This shows how urban design can go beyond functionality, creating emotional ties that strengthen social cohesion and state legitimacy in a fast‑growing city.

The concept of "symbolic infrastructure" falls within the theory of spatial meaning production, where physical city elements serve as scaffolds for collective narratives. In this study, the qualitative methodology based on 36 semi‑structured interviews allowed the collection of autobiographical narratives and perceptions of governmental legitimacy. Thematic analysis identified three macro‑categories: biographical memory, maintenance rituality, and visibility of administrative response. The first highlights how renovated canals trigger personal memories, creating an emotional bond that translates into a sense of territorial belonging. The second category concerns rituality: informational signs, scheduled cleanings, and emergency interventions become "care rituals" signaling the constant presence of the state. The third, visibility of response, refers to the government's ability to demonstrate real‑time reactivity, especially through digital water monitoring systems. From a legitimacy standpoint, these symbolic rituals strengthen the perception of responsible governance, contributing to a form of consent based on everyday experiences rather than institutional discourse. Moreover, social cohesion emerges when citizens share a common narrative linked to water, a traditionally life‑affirming, purifying, and continuous element. This co‑construction of urban identity is especially relevant in rapidly urbanizing contexts, where physical landscape transformation must be accompanied by symbolic transformation to maintain social stability. In sum, Shanghai's regenerated waters act as interaction platforms between citizens and the state, where visible care of the urban environment becomes a powerful tool for legitimization and strengthening the social fabric.