The restructuring mechanisms and models of traditional villages in the metropolitan fringes: Based on inter-subject power interactions

Traditional villages in the metropolitan fringes multifaceted challenges stemming from urban expansion, the permeation of consumer culture, and the imperative for living heritage conservation. Clarifying the dynamic social relationship centered on the power game of multiple subjects and its shaping mechanism on space is of great significance for achieving cultural heritage inheritance in the context of sustainable urban-rural development. Through literature analysis, theoretical framework construction, and case study research, this study elucidates the restructuring logic, mechanisms, and models of these villages from a theoretical perspective of "subjects-power-space". The findings indicate that: (1) Constructing an analytical framework based on the theory of space production, micro-power theory, and China's rural land system is instrumental in deconstructing the restructuring logic. This framework elucidates the synergistic interplay between the regulatory power of macro-level actors, the practical power of micro-level actors and the process of spatial restructuring. (2) The primary restructuring types are categorized into regulation-driven, endogenous practice-driven, and collaborative development-driven models, revealing the differentiated logic underlying village transformation under varying power dynamics. (3) Case studies of Liuliqu village, Beigou village, and Huangshandian village, representing the three respective types, demonstrate distinct characteristics of macro-actor regulation, micro-actor endogenous practice, and collaborative development in their transformation mechanisms. Corresponding differentiated development models are proposed, including spatial empowerment to activate community regeneration, power synergy to enhance resource integration, and refined spatial governance. Theoretically, this research extends the study of social relations in space. Practically, it provides a capital region exemplar for the living conservation of traditional villages on the metropolitan fringe in the New Era.