The transformation and revitalization mechanisms of traditional village cultural spaces through digital empowerment: A case study of Diaoyuan village in Ji'an

Traditional village cultural spaces serve as vital carriers for the preservation of China's outstanding traditional culture. Digital empowerment, acting as the core driving force for their modern transformation and innovative revitalization, has opened new pathways for reshaping cultural spaces through the interplay of technological evolution and cultural change. This study, grounded in mediatization, spatial production, and place theory, examines the mechanisms of digital empowerment in transforming and revitalizing traditional village cultural spaces using the ancient village of Diaoyuan in Ji'an as a case study. Findings reveal that: (1) The transformation and revitalization of cultural spaces evolved from "digital embedding" to "mediatized integration," ultimately constructing a mediatized place characterized by virtual-physical convergence, decentralized production, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. (2) The evolution of Diaoyuan village's cultural space transformation and revitalization followed an intrinsic logic of incremental evolution, systemic reconstruction, and collaborative governance. (3) The regeneration of the "mediatized place" is achieved through a quadruple-driven synergistic mechanism involving policy, technology, market, and culture. This study provides a new theoretical framework for understanding the transformation and revitalization of cultural spaces in traditional villages in the digital age, offering significant guidance for cultural heritage preservation and sustainable village development.