Abstract: How to build a community of urban Shequ (neighborhood) governance is a hot research topic at present. The previous literature can be classified into two categories in the light of research approach: a community of governance and a community of Shequ. The former pays more attention to the structural relationship and functional match among entities of governance and focuses on how to facilitate effective cooperation between entities, thus following an analytic approach of“structure-cooperation orientation.”The latter inherits the tradition of exploring the essential attributes of“community,”and focuses on Shequ characteristics, residential entities, and the formation of a community of urban Shequ governance from the collective psychological and spiritual aspects, following an analytic approach of“psychology-solidarity orientation.”Overseas studies have their own research traditions, centered on such intertwined concepts as sense of community, community attachment, etc.. Overseas studies have a direct bearing on relevant domestic studies, but there is a risk of“fragmentation”of community spiritual life which should be regarded as a whole. As urban governance turns to be increasingly refined, it is necessary to return to the“Xintai”(mentality) perspective advocated by Fei Xiaotong, which explores the more secretive and inseparable residential “Xintai”that is not limited in certain communities, but deep rooted in traditions. It also explores the influence of“Xintai”on the construction of a community of urban Shequ governance based on detailed field investigations. Urban studies in the“Xintai”perspective are not new, so a more in-depth understanding of “Xintai”and comparative studies of different cities, neighborhoods and groups of people are needed. It is worth mentioning that in building a community of Shequ governance, megacities should be prioritized due to their special academic significance and strategic importance.

Key words: “Xintai”perspective, urban, a community of shequ governance