Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Research on the Mechanism of Cultural Heritage Activation under the Community-Driven Model—Taking South China as an Example

Shujie PengNewcastle university*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

In the context of China’s rapid urbanization, top-down approaches to cultural heritage protection often fails to maintain authenticity and community vitality. This study examines the community-driven model as an alternative paradigm, focusing on South China cases (Mei Zilin, Liu Gengtang, etc.). Through qualitative methods, this paper analyzes how community participation shifts from symbolic consultation to substantive co-governance; the collaborative mechanism of multiple subjects in the inheritance of cultural memory; the reproduction path of activating space in the material, functional and symbolic dimensions; and core structural challenges. The results prove that the co-creation mechanism combining institutional empowerment with local knowledge translation can stimulate the endogenous momentum of the community and achieve the sustainable rejuvenation of cultural heritage. However, it is necessary to resolve the tension between the protection of historical authenticity and the adaptability to contemporary development, and overcome technology gaps and cultural commercialization risks. This model balances heritage protection and community development, but its successful implementation depends on a deep understanding of local social structures and cultural contexts and the design of adaptive mechanisms.

Keywords: Cultural heritage revitalization; collaborative co-creation; cultural memory; spatial reproduction; architectural protection
Published: September 3, 2025
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2025.LC26473
Volume: CHR Vol.76
pp. 51-57
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