Analysis of Factors Influencing the Protection, Inheritance, and Utilization of Traditional Villages in the Context of Rural Revitalization ----Based on Survey Data from 1,000 Villagers in 176 Traditional Villages
Authors: Guo Zheng , Zhang Shuhua 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
The contradiction between coordinating the preservation and inheritance of traditional villages has recently garnered considerable attention in academic circles and government departments. The present study is based on data obtained from 1,000 villagers in 176 traditional villages who were surveyed in 2020. Using the Logit multiple regression method, the study quantitatively analyzed five closely related core explanatory variables of villagers in traditional villages and six factors that significantly influence the survival and development of these villages. The analysis was conducted before (2011) and after (2021) the preservation of traditional villages. Research indicates that (1) the economic income of farmers has rapidly increased and their sources of income have shifted from primarily farming to tourism development and breeding. The proportion of respondents expressing "satisfaction” and “very satisfaction" with both traditional village preservation and development was only 26.6%. (2) Among the core explanatory variables influencing farmers' willingness for preservation and inheritance, in terms of the impact mode, natural capital and human capital exhibited a significant negative effect, whereas material capital, financial subcapital, and social capital exhibited a significant positive effect. Material capital and financial capital positively influenced farmers' satisfaction at 1% significance level, whereas natural capital negatively affected their satisfaction at 5% significance level, and social capital positively influenced their satisfaction at 5% significance level. Regarding impact intensity, financial capital made the largest positive contribution (β = 18.323), followed by material capital (β = 15.597). By contrast, natural capital made the largest negative contribution (β = −7.012). Additionally, social capital, which reflects the development potential of villagers, exhibited a significant contribution value (β = 8.374, P > 0.05). Human capital had a negative impact, whereas social capital had a positive impact, with the effects of both being nonsignificant. (3) Among the six main control variables influencing traditional village preservation and inheritance, those with significant influences were economic factors and cultural and artistic factors (P < 0.05), whereas those with nonsignificant influences were political factors, social factors, ecological environmental factors, and geographical transportation factors (P > 0.05). Regarding the impact mode, all factors exhibited a positive and significant effect on farmers' willingness for preservation and inheritance. Regarding impact intensity, cultural and artistic factors exhibited the largest contribution (β = 26.112), followed by economic factors (β = 25.173) and political factors (β = 8.374). Moreover, ecological environmental factors, reflecting the livable environment for villagers, also made significant contributions (β = 5.213). Social factors and geographical transportation factors exerted positive effects, but their impact was not prominent. Accordingly, the paper proposes two insights: First, a reflection on the implementation of traditional village preservation policies—correctly managing the relationship between proactive and passive protection. The pros and cons of China's traditional village preservation policies must be re-examined, and a practical and effective mechanism for coordinating the interests of traditional village preservation must be established. Second, the preservation model for traditional villages in China needs to be re-evaluated. Exploring a model where the government leads, with farmers at the center, and various sectors of society actively participate is essential. Clarifying the relationship between the preservation and development of traditional villages is crucial, recognizing that preservation is the objective and economic development is the fundamental guarantee. (1) Background: Place the question addressed in a broad context and highlight the purpose of the study; (2) Methods: briefly describe the main methods or treatments applied; (3) Results: summarize the article’s main findings; (4) Conclusions: indicate the main conclusions or interpretations. The abstract should be an objective representation of the article and it must not contain results that are not presented and substantiated in the main text and should not exaggerate the main conclusions.