An initial exploration of historical district service experiences and humanistic innovation and development: Taking Zhongshan Road in Quanzhou, Fujian Province as an example

Yihang Lin; Xieyuan Gu; Hepeng Xie; Chun-Liang Chen; Yihang Lin; Xieyuan Gu; Hepeng Xie; Chun-Liang Chen

doi:10.3934/urs.2026002

Urban Resilience and Sustainability

2026, Volume 4, Issue 1: 29-46. doi: 10.3934/urs.2026002

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Research article

An initial exploration of historical district service experiences and humanistic innovation and development: Taking Zhongshan Road in Quanzhou, Fujian Province as an example

1.
College of Cultural Communication, LiMing Vocational University, Quan Zhou, Fujian, China
2.
College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fu Zhou, Fujian, China
3.
Graduate School of Creative Industry Design, Taiwan University of Arts, New Taipei City, Taiwan, China

Received: 07 November 2025 Revised: 25 January 2026 Accepted: 29 January 2026 Published: 10 February 2026

Fujian Province's Quanzhou stands out primarily due to its profound cultural heritage. The city has implemented a suite of measures, including developing diverse business models and strengthening brand marketing, to vigorously advance the preservation and dissemination of its World Heritage culture. These efforts have injected new vitality into the heritage in the contemporary context, propelling the integrated development of culture and tourism. Research findings revealed that introducing the "humanistic innovation" concept carries practical significance and tangible benefits for the revitalization of historic districts. Integrating humanistic innovation into current cultural tourism service experiences is crucial, with key innovations focusing on three dimensions: Utilizing digital platforms, emphasizing interpersonal network construction, and vigorously advancing cultural tourism development; all aimed at realizing sustainable core value propositions. This approach facilitates the continuous enhancement and growth of the local economy. These findings offer practical value to practitioners, managers, and stakeholders engaged in tourism operations, service innovation, and experiential innovation within Quanzhou's historic districts.
- experience innovation,
- cultural innovation,
- cultural tourism design,
- historic districts
Citation: Yihang Lin, Xieyuan Gu, Hepeng Xie, Chun-Liang Chen. An initial exploration of historical district service experiences and humanistic innovation and development: Taking Zhongshan Road in Quanzhou, Fujian Province as an example[J]. Urban Resilience and Sustainability, 2026, 4(1): 29-46. doi: 10.3934/urs.2026002

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Abstract

Fujian Province's Quanzhou stands out primarily due to its profound cultural heritage. The city has implemented a suite of measures, including developing diverse business models and strengthening brand marketing, to vigorously advance the preservation and dissemination of its World Heritage culture. These efforts have injected new vitality into the heritage in the contemporary context, propelling the integrated development of culture and tourism. Research findings revealed that introducing the "humanistic innovation" concept carries practical significance and tangible benefits for the revitalization of historic districts. Integrating humanistic innovation into current cultural tourism service experiences is crucial, with key innovations focusing on three dimensions: Utilizing digital platforms, emphasizing interpersonal network construction, and vigorously advancing cultural tourism development; all aimed at realizing sustainable core value propositions. This approach facilitates the continuous enhancement and growth of the local economy. These findings offer practical value to practitioners, managers, and stakeholders engaged in tourism operations, service innovation, and experiential innovation within Quanzhou's historic districts.

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