Community Governance During the Shanghai COVID Lockdown III: The Changing Perception of the City

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between community governance during the 2022 Shanghai COVID-19 lockdown and residents' perception of the city. The perception is constructed by residents' attitudes toward the city and their attachment to the city, which are respectively interpreted by the literature of residential satisfaction and place attachment. Findings indicate that enforced confinement negatively impacts both measurements. Meanwhile, effective community governance, particularly reflected in satisfaction with sustenance distribution, satisfaction with PCR testing arrangements, and perception of community governance staff's roles, positively influences residents' attitudes. However, compared to residents' attitudes, socioeconomic factors, including their hukou, income disruption and job stability, have stronger influences on their city attachment. This study thereby contributes to the literature by advancing the understanding of community governance's role during crises, its differential influences on different population groups, and the emphasis on city-scale analysis for people–place relationships. This study provides insights for policymakers to enhance urban resilience during crisis management.