Page 78 - JCAU-6-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Elite involvement in rural revitalization

detached from rural reality, evolving into “vanity projects” 4.3. Issues of the “Gulang Village”, led by intellectual
aimed at political achievements rather than bringing elites
tangible benefits to villagers. 4.3.1. Intellectual elites’ perception

4.2. Issues of the “Fengjian Village”, led by capital Intellectual elites such as Shixiong Wu express satisfaction
elites with their cooperation with local village committees
4.2.1. Capital elites’ perception to revitalize village culture and inherit traditional folk
activities. This partnership has generated numerous
Similar to the “Qingtian Model” led by government employment opportunities, enhanced the village’s
elites, the capital elites in Fengjian village take pride in environmental quality through initiatives such as waterway
the village’s tangible revitalization efforts. These efforts cleanliness and governance, and facilitated the renovation
include the construction of sewage treatment stations to of community parks and the repair of ancestral halls.
purify water, the restoration of ancestral halls and temples,
the removal of illegal structures, and the adaptation of 4.3.2. Visitors’ perception
traditional dwellings into commercial stores. However, Despite a wide array of folklore activities and unique
due to a lack of scientific and sustainable planning, some cultural experiences, the revitalized village often receives
traditional buildings remained unrestored, and many complaints from visitors about the lack of essential tourism
historical relics have been casually discarded. Additionally, facilities such as restaurants, tea and coffee shops, or similar
the Lingnan Cultural and Creative Park, along with related businesses. This inadequacy makes it difficult for visitors
service facilities, have been left vacant after construction.
to prolong their stay in the village, as they must seek food
4.2.2. Visitors’ perception options outside the village.
In contrast to the tranquil Qingtian village, Fengjian village 4.3.3. Local villagers’ perception
has undergone heavy commercialization. Visitors lament the Through interviews, local villagers express considerable
excessive homogenization of stores and the lack of unique appreciation for the rural revitalization efforts led by the
cultural characteristics. They also notice the inadequate intellectual elite in Gulang village. They have witnessed
repair of historical buildings, with many remaining unused firsthand the positive effects, including a notable trend
or unattractive even after restoration. Furthermore, the once- of younger generations opting to return to the village
promising Lingnan Cultural Park now sits empty, failing to instead of migrating to larger cities such as Guangzhou
fulfill its intended role as a special attraction. As a result, the and Shenzhen. This trend has reduced the village’s
overall tourism experience is deemed average.
depopulation, while collaborative efforts between local
4.2.3. Local villagers’ perception village committees and various organizations have
enriched villagers’ daily lives and enhanced their sense of
The restoration of the village’s ecological environment and identity and attachment to the village.
infrastructure improvements has successfully transformed
Fengjian village into a tourist attraction, yielding a 4.3.4. Findings
multifaceted impact on local villagers. Positive outcomes While the revitalization of Gulang village appears
include increased income and overall infrastructure to navigate the propositions of various stakeholders
upgrades. However, negative consequences arise from sensitively, it unveils a potential dilemma. The intervention
unauthorized tourist entry into villagers’ homes, noise of the intellectual elite may either dominate proceedings,
disturbances caused by tourists, income disparities among relegating villagers to the role of spectators with minimal
villagers based on housing locations, restricted vehicle access participation in the rural development process, or it may
to residences within the scenic area, and the transformation be insufficient, merely addressing villagers’ basic needs
of traditional culture into mere performances.
without providing sustainable regeneration or meeting
4.2.4. Findings outsiders’ needs.
The capital elites, driven by self-interest, often disregard the 5. Conclusion: Strategies for the
villagers’ sentiments and the preservation of the original involvement of the social elite in rural
rural culture. This pursuit leads to the construction revitalization
of similar scenic spots, improper rural development,
environmental destruction, and the gradual alienation This study combines theoretical analysis with practical
of rural culture, resulting in an unequal distribution of case studies to explore three models for rural revitalization.
benefits among villagers. As a concluding note, the authors aim to provide several

Volume 6 Issue 3 (2024) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.2940