Slowing Down in “Little Shanghai”: A Nostalgia-induced Framework of Reciprocity between Psychological Ownership and Heritage Preservation

Abstract

While the phenomenon of nostalgic heritage travel has gained traction, scarce inquiries have researched how nostalgia for heritage sites can render a means for heritage preservation. This inquiry utilized a multi-method qualitative design, with Study 1 inferring nostalgic heritage travel motivations from travel experiences documented in online travel diaries. Study 2 adopted the psychological ownership theory with data originating from semi-structured interviews to construct a nostalgia-induced framework of reciprocity between psychological ownership and heritage preservation. Findings first unveil an array of nostalgic heritage travel motives ranging from nostalgic reminiscing and glorification to nostalgia-induced playfulness and healing. Further, findings point to a reciprocal pattern of psychological ownership–heritage preservation fostered by three routes: exercise of control, intimate knowing, and investment of the self. Together, this research illuminates a past–present–future synthesis of self–place relations. It presents the concept of reciprocity driven by nostalgia to increase understanding of heritage preservation.