Architectural Aesthetics, Cultural Interaction, and Local Agency in Rural In-Migration Contexts
Rural in-migration is reshaping the visual and cultural landscape of many rural regions, often introducing new architectural aesthetics that influence the built environment. These changes have raised important questions about how local communities respond to the arrival of rural in-migrants and the architectural preferences they bring. Understanding whether locals adopt, resist, or reinterpret these external influences is vital for interpreting broader patterns of rural gentrification. This study positions architectural taste as a cultural indicator that reflects deeper social dynamics, offering a foundation for examining the complex interaction between migrants and long-term residents.
Theoretical Foundation: Integrating Rural In-Migration and Acculturation
To analyze the cultural consequences of rural in-migration, the study develops a two-dimensional matrix framework combining rural in-migration theory with acculturation theory. This integrative model helps clarify how aesthetic values circulate between groups and how cultural interaction shapes architectural preferences. The framework also highlights the importance of examining both direction and intensity of cultural influence, enabling a more nuanced understanding of how aesthetics become negotiated symbols within changing rural communities.
Methodological Approach: Case Study and Phototesting Design
The research adopts a theory-building case study approach using three culturally similar but aesthetically evolving villages in Dali, China. To capture aesthetic preferences accurately, a phototesting method was employed, allowing both locals and migrants to evaluate and compare architectural styles visually. Survey data from 335 locals and 218 migrants collected in 2021 enrich the analysis by linking architectural choices with socio-cultural and demographic variables. This mixed-method framework strengthens the reliability of findings and provides a more grounded interpretation of aesthetic responses.
Social Interactions and the Reinforcement of Local Aesthetics
Findings reveal that increased social engagement between locals and in-migrants does not dilute local identity, but instead strengthens preferences for locality-based architectural styles. As interactions deepen, the aesthetic gap between the two groups narrows, suggesting mutual understanding rather than cultural replacement. This indicates that locals exercise agency in shaping their aesthetic environment, selectively integrating influences while maintaining a strong cultural rootedness. Such dynamics complicate traditional assumptions that gentrification inevitably erodes local identity.
Differentiated Local Responses: Socio-Cultural and Demographic Factors
The study underscores that not all locals respond to migrant influences in the same way. Variations in age, education level, marital status, urban exposure, community characteristics, and future residential intentions all shape how individuals negotiate architectural aesthetics. These differences illustrate the heterogeneity within local populations and show how personal experiences interact with broader community contexts to determine aesthetic preferences. Recognizing this diversity is essential to understanding how cultural adaptation unfolds unevenly within rural communities.
Local Agency, Cultural Adaptation, and Resistance to Marginalization
Overall, the findings highlight that locals are not passive recipients in the rural gentrification process. Instead, they actively engage with migrant-driven aesthetic trends, using cultural interaction as an avenue to reinforce their architectural identity. This demonstrates a form of resistance to marginalization, as local residents assert their preferences and cultural agency within rapidly transforming environments. These insights offer valuable perspectives for policymakers, designers, and planners seeking to support balanced, culturally informed rural development.
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