Page 71 - JCAU-6-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Elite involvement in rural revitalization

regions. However, in the pursuit of immediate results, Architects, and Engineers as Professional Volunteers to
many local governments resort to blind demolition and Serve the Countryside” initiative (abbreviated as “Three
construction, thereby destroying the authentic features Professionals Entering the Countryside”). This initiative
of the countryside. On the other hand, intellectual elites, calls upon local rural design professionals to volunteer for
such as artists, architects, and academic professionals, rural construction projects, thereby revitalizing confidence
have also engaged in rural revitalization efforts through in traditional architectural culture (Hong, 2015).
various avenues. However, the absence of scientifically The “Three Professionals Entering the Countryside”
informed top-down planning and policy guidance has initiative mainly provides construction consultancy
led many places to adopt identical rural planning that services, disseminates scientific concepts of rural
disregards local folk traditions and culture. Consequently, revitalization, delves into rural traditions, aids village
this approach leads to the barbaric erasure of cultural committees in salvaging the “silent” village history, and
heritage and natural landscapes, replaced by trendy tourist assists in its documentation. Furthermore, it plays a crucial
attractions and various grandiose “government projects.” role in fostering understanding among rural cadres and
While each of the aforementioned rural revitalization young people about the historical significance and value
models has its own focus, they encounter similar of historical villages and traditional dwellings. Building
challenges. All three tend to overlook a critical aspect on these efforts, the initiatives consciously endeavor to
of rural revitalization: the villagers’ subjective initiative. safeguard traditional villages, traditional dwellings, and
Consequently, they lack local characteristics, cultural historical buildings. “The ‘Three Professionals Entering
connotations, and sustainability. This article aims to the Countryside’ initiative fully utilizes the professional
analyze these three rural revitalization models through advantages to give more suggestions for local areas,
theoretical examination and practical case studies. By better plan for beautiful countryside, improve the living
doing so, it seeks to gain a glimpse of a profound and environment of rural residents, and enhance the quality
sustainable approach to rural revitalization. and taste of rural construction” (Hong, 2015).

2. The elite’s intervention in rural While the “Three Professionals Entering the
revitalization Countryside” initiative represents a significant effort
toward rural revitalization, it cannot be denied that it has
The term “elite” first appeared in 17th-century France, its shortcomings. Many local governments, driven by the
referring to a select few or exceptional individuals. Its need to demonstrate effective governance, often blindly
usage expanded into the field of social sciences during the apply urban construction experience. This results in large-
late 19 and early 20 centuries. Pareto’s (2010) theory of scale demolitions and construction projects, such as the
th
th
social elites posits that elites comprise individuals with the development of grand parks and large squares. Unfortunately,
highest abilities within their respective circles of activity these endeavors often deviate from the original purpose and
(Xiang & Zhou, 2001). Based on the social resources they reality of the countryside, exacerbating prominent issues
control and their varying degrees of influence, social elites such as the destruction of rural landscapes and disruption of
are generally divided into government elites, capital elites, natural ecologies (Department of Housing and Urban-Rural
and intellectual elites (Li, 2022). Development of Fujian Province, 2017).
2.1. Government elites 2.2. Capital elites
In this article, the term “government elite” encompasses China’s rural tourism has flourished under the circumstances
not only administrative institutions, construction of imbalanced urban-rural economic development,
organizations, and poverty alleviation agencies at the propelled by governmental macroeconomic policies. It
village, town, district, and city levels but also various has played a unique role in narrowing the urban-rural gap,
professional entities and personnel led by the government optimizing rural industrial structures, addressing rural
involved in rural revitalization efforts. employment issues, driving the development of associated
Regarding construction, the government aims to industries, and fostering cultural exchanges between urban
improve the rural living environment while avoiding the and rural areas (Guo & Han, 2010).
application of the so-called “urban modern construction More than 20 years of practical application in rural
model.” This approach prioritizes preserving rural tourism underscore its significant contributions to rural
forms as much as possible while also “activating” and economic growth, the proliferation of employment
adapting to modern lifestyles (Liu, 2018). Notably, the opportunities, and the improvement of villagers’ income.
Guangdong government has launched the “Planners, However, rural tourism grapples with problems such as

Volume 6 Issue 3 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2940