Intervention and Co-Creation: Art-Led Transformation of Spatial Practices and Cultural Values in Rural Public Spaces

Peiyuan Li and Wencui Zhang ()
Additional contact information
Peiyuan Li: School of Plastic Arts, Daegu University, Gyeongsan-si 38453, Republic of Korea
Wencui Zhang: Cross-Cultural, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-26

Abstract: Amid the accelerating processes of modernization and commercialization, traditional rural public spaces are increasingly losing their cultural value and social functions. This study investigates the transformative role of art intervention in enhancing the quality and cultural significance of rural public spaces, with a focus on Machang Village in Tengchong, China. The study first develops a conceptual model to explore the causal relationships and pathways between these influencing factors. Drawing on this framework, the research then uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to empirically test a multi-dimensional resident satisfaction model that incorporates spatial aesthetics, functional suitability, historical-cultural identity, and emotional cognition. Through field surveys and data collected from 224 residents, the study reveals that cultural emotions and functional completeness are the most influential factors in driving overall satisfaction. Artistic innovation and aesthetics contribute moderately, indicating that visual creativity alone is insufficient without deeper cultural integration and functional coherence. The findings suggest a dual-pathway satisfaction mechanism, where both symbolic emotional resonance and practical usability shape residents’ perceptions of public space quality. The study offers theoretical and practical insights into optimizing rural public space design, advocating for art-led, community-engaged, and culturally embedded approaches to rural revitalization.

Keywords: art intervention; public space; functional suitability; user satisfaction; structural equation modeling (SEM); cultural significance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/7/1353/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/7/1353/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:7:p:1353-:d:1688077

Access Statistics for this article

Land is currently edited by Ms. Carol Ma

More articles in Land from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().