Résumé en anglais
By examining how local communities share heritage in historic waterfront towns in southChina, we try to explore a way to facilitate the sustainable development of these ancient towns, which are
characteristic of human-water interaction. As one of the most important stakeholders, local communitiesin these historic waterfront towns participate in heritage management by sharing heritage protection
facilities and by engaging in preservation activities with the public and the tourists.The way of life is an integral component to the value of historic towns’ heritage and buildings. The
sharing of heritage in the communities, therefore, aims to manage the inevitable changes in thedevelopment of historic towns intended not only for professionals, but also for local management bodies.
We suggest that stakeholders should be aware of and adapt the inevitability of change in urbandevelopment. They should take it into consideration during decision-making process, for the sustainable
development of the historic towns.