Challenges in managing public spaces in work unit communities in China: A case study of Xiangshao village

Public space management has gained rising attention across the world in recent years. However, existing studies have mainly focused on Western countries. The research on public space management in China is scarce. This paper investigates the issues and challenges associated with managing public space and how stakeholders deal with challenges that affect the effectiveness of public space management in the Chinese context. This qualitative research is built on observations and interviews from a specific case, including three groups of stakeholders: the community, the property management company, and the residents. The research found three challenges of the current practice: the difficulty of accepting new policies, the influence of the governance structure, and the process dimensions of management. These challenges are intertwined together and hinder the effectiveness of day-to-day maintenance and long-term management. This paper proposes a benchmark that will contribute to the theoretical development of public space management and will be a valuable tool for similar research across different contexts. The research findings suggest that the coordination and cooperation between different stakeholders and the establishment of a holistic management approach offer the potential for an effective and future-proof public space and environment.