Page 48 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Top-down rural heritage

These findings carry significant implications for rural Technology, for their contributions to interviews and
revitalization and heritage conservation policies in China. fieldwork.
Policymakers and local authorities must carefully balance
the dual objectives of fostering economic development Funding
and preserving the authentic cultural heritage of rural The fieldworks are supported by the project “Research on
communities. A community-centered approach that Industrial Heritage Conservation and Ecotourism Design
prioritizes the needs, traditions, and voices of local Based on Cultural Mapping” under the “Ten Thousand
residents is essential for ensuring both the sustainability People’s Scheme” of the Ministry of Education, the People’s
and integrity of heritage preservation efforts. Republic of China (grant no. 402240029).
This research acknowledges several limitations that Conflict of interest
open avenues for future study:
(i). While the case study of Tangwei village offers Authors declared no (potential) conflicts or competing
valuable insights into government-led heritage interests with any institutes, organizations, or agencies
revitalization, its findings may not fully apply to other that might influence the integrity of results or objective
rural communities in China. Comparative studies interpretation of their submitted works.
across different regions and administrative contexts
could provide a broader understanding of how local Author contributions
conditions influence heritage preservation outcomes Conceptualization: Lok-yin Law, Ming-hin Cheung
(ii). Primary data collection was conducted during a Formal analysis: Lok-yin Law
specific timeframe in 2024, coinciding with the Investigation: Lok-yin Law, Huiwei Chen
Kangwang Festival. This temporal limitation may not Methodology: Lok-yin Law, Huiwei Chen, Shuwen Liu
capture the full spectrum of community dynamics Writing – original draft: Lok-yin Law
and stakeholder interactions throughout the year. Writing – review & editing: Huiwei Chen, Shuwen Liu,
Longitudinal studies could more effectively examine Ming-hin Cheung
how top-down initiatives evolve over time and their Ethics approval and consent to participate
long-term impacts on community cohesion and
cultural authenticity The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee
(iii). Efforts were made to include diverse perspectives at Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Verbal consents
through interviews with villagers, artists, and were obtained from each of the subjects to participate in
officials. However, access to certain stakeholders and the study.
decision-making processes may have been limited.
More extensive ethnographic research could uncover Consent for publication
deeper insights into informal power dynamics and Verbal consents were obtained from each of the subjects to
negotiations among the various actors involved in publish their data.
heritage revitalization.
These limitations underscore valuable opportunities Availability of data
for future research in rural heritage preservation Data will be made available from the corresponding author
and community development. Studies incorporating on reasonable request.
longer observation periods, multiple case comparisons References
(particularly within the same city), and more diverse
methodological approaches could enhance a deeper Chen, B., Chen, D., & Chen, Z. (2023). Research on the “Three
understanding of the complex interplay between state restorations” of traditional village public spaces under
power, economic development, and cultural heritage “green fabric patching” - A case study of Tangwei ancient
preservation in urbanizing rural China. village in Dongguan City. [“绿布织补”下的传统村落公
共空间“三修”之道研究———以东莞市塘尾古村为例].
Acknowledgments Village Committee Director [村委主任], 2023(8):118-122.
The authors would like to thank Deng Zhaomian, Liu Gao, S., Huang, S., & Huang, Y. (2009). Rural tourism development in
China. International Journal of Tourism Research, 11(5):439-450.
Manyu, Zhong Jiayi, Fu Yiming, Wu Limin, Huang Ruiyi,
Chen Jiaying, Luo Jingying, Liang Jinuing, and Yang https://doi.org/10.1002/jtr.712
Ruohan, who are students from the School of Architecture Guangdong Provincial Cultural Center - Intangible
and Urban Planning at the Guangdong University of Cultural Heritage Center. (2018). King Kang’s Birthday

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 11 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.5029