Exploring the Impact of Short Video Platforms on the Renewal of Traditional Villages in China
XijiangQianhuMiaoVillageandTang'an DongVillageasanExample
School:NationalUniversityofSingapore
Major:ArchitecturalConservation
Tutor:ChenYu
Name:ZhangYu
StudentID:A0298845E
Wordcount:9791
CompletionTime:2025.4
Abstract:Thisstudyexplorestheimpactofalgorithmicmechanismsofshortvideo platforms on the protection of architectural authenticity of traditional villages, usingXijiangThousandHouseholdsMiaozhaiandLipingTang'anDongVillageas casestudies.Itisfoundthatwhileshortvideoplatformsincreasesocialattention and community participation, they also threaten the authenticity of traditional architecture due to fragmentation of content, visual spectacle and commercialization tendency, especially during the gradual transformation of traditionalvillagesintotourismproducts.
Toaddressthisissue,thestudyproposestheconceptof“digitalauthenticity”for thefirsttime,emphasizingthatinarchitecturalconservationintheeraofdigital communication,attentionshouldbepaidtotheauthenticityofboththephysical architectural form and the cultural life of the community, and that a dynamic balanceshouldbeachievedbetweenthetwo.Inaddition,thisstudypointsoutthat the algorithmic recommendation mechanism of short video platforms is biased towards entertainment and visual content, and suggests optimizing the algorithmicmechanisminordertoenhancethediversityanddepthofthecontent, aswellasimprovingthetransparencyofthealgorithm. Finally, the study puts forward suggestions for synergistic governance among multipleactors,includingthegovernment,platforms,andcommunities,including theestablishmentofflexiblecommunity-orientedpolicies,theenhancementofthe social responsibility of platforms, the strengthening of the autonomous participation of residents, and the construction of an effective multi-party
5.3
1.Introduction
1.1 Backgroundandsignificanceofthestudy
China's rural revitalization strategy, launched since 2017, has opened a new era for the development of vast rural areas, as shown in Figure 1. Column 10 of the document,shownasFigure2emphasizestheneedtobebasedonruralcivilization, absorburbancivilizationandtheexcellentachievementsofforeigncultures,and onthebasisofprotectionandinheritance,creativetransformationandinnovative development,constantlygivingconnotationtothetimesandenrichingtheforms of expression, so as to provide a high-quality carrier for the enhancement of culturalself-confidence. Againstthebackdropofthisera,traditionalvillagesare facingunprecedentedchallengesdespitecarryingcenturies-oldculturalheritage anduniquearchitecturalstyles.Rapidurbanization,demographicchanges,andthe pressures of commercialization have placed these communities at a critical crossroads, where the process of modernization often clashes with the need to maintainculturalidentityandarchitecturalauthenticity.
China'straditionalvillagesaremorethanjusthistoricsettlements;theyarevivid expressionsoflocalculture,craftsmanship,andcommunityspirit.Overtime,these
villages have developed unique spatial layouts, building techniques and social practicesthatreflectthehistoricalevolutionoftheregion.However,therapidpace of modernization has also brought about dramatic changes. Many villages are facingdepopulationduetotheexodusofyoungpeople,traditionalbuildingsare decaying due to lack of maintenance, and the push for commercialization of tourismmayleadtothedilutionorevenlossofauthenticculturalelements.
Figure2Column10ofthedocument(Source:XinhuaNewsAgency)
In recent years, the emergence of short-form video platforms, represented by Jittery,Shutterstock,andTikTok,hasrevolutionizedthelandscapeofdigitalmedia and cultural exchange. These platforms combine visual narratives, interactivity, and algorithm-driven content distribution, enabling the rapid dissemination of cultural narratives. For traditional villages, short videos have become an
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modeofperception.Atthesametime,thisincidenthasalsotriggeredawiderange ofdiscussions,notonlyfocusingonthefar-reachingimpactofsocialmediapolicy adjustments on userbehavior, but also promptingall parties to re-examinehow digitalplatformscanbecomeanimportantvehicleforpromotingdirectdialogue and cultural integration among cross-border populations in the context of globalization.
ItshouldbenotedthatthespecificdetailsanddataoftheTikTokrefugeeincident are still controversial, and some of the information comes mainly from social mediabuzzandunofficialreports.However,itshouldnotbeoverlookedthatthis phenomenon undoubtedly provides new perspectives for global digital cultural exchanges,aswellasarichcasestudyforexploringtheinterpenetrationbetween differentplatformecologiesandchangesinuserbehavior.
Xiaohongshu'sdownloadsintheU.S.grewmorethan200percentyear-over-year in the third week ending December 2024, and 194 percent compared to the previousweek,accordingtoestimatesfromappdataresearchfirmSensorTower.
Number two on the Apple App Store's free apps chart on Tuesday was Lemon8, another social media app from ByteDance, which experienced similar growth to Little Red Book last month, with downloads surging 190 percent to about 3.4 millioninDecember.
Andthenbehindthisevent,throughlong-termobservationcanbefoundinthehot eventsofthesmallredbook,canbeobservedstatistics:anumberofshortvideos to aerial perspective to show the traditional villages in China has triggered the
warmattentionofforeignnetizens,shownasFigure3 Thesevideosusedronesto capturethepanoramicviewofthevillagefromhighaltitude,perfectlypresenting theuniqueflavoroftheancientbuildings,thepatchworkofstreetsandlanes,and the magnificent images of the surrounding natural scenery. Through this new visual experience, viewers can not only feel the historical precipitation and culturalconnotationsofthevillage,butalsobreakthestereotypicalimpressionof theChinesecountryside.Manyforeignnetizenscommentedthatthisuniqueaerial perspectivemadethemfeelasiftheywereinaworldfullofpoetryandtranquility, thusstimulatingtheirinterestintraditionalChinesecultureandarchitecturalart, andpromotingcross-culturalexchangeandunderstanding.
In addition, “egg custard”, a traditional Chinese food, has become a hot topic, causingmanyforeignnetizenstolearntocook,asshownin Figure 4,thusindirectly reflecting the multi-directional and multi-faceted dissemination effect of short videoplatformsonfoodculture,ethnicculture,architecturalculture,etc.
4Otheraspectsofculturalexchangevideo(Source:
1.2 Researchobjectivesandresearchquestions
Today, with the rapid development of informationization and digital technology, short video platforms are increasingly becoming an important tool for digital recordinganddisseminationofarchitecturalheritage.Asanimportantcarrierof culturalheritage,traditionalarchitecture,itsdetails,craftsmanshipandhistorical information are often difficult to be comprehensively presented through traditional texts and pictures, while short video platforms provide a completely newapproachtothedisplayandprotectionofarchitecturalheritagebyvirtueof their intuitive, dynamic and interactive features, and this paper will study its uniquecommunicativecharacteristicsindepth.
A.AdvantagesofDigitalRecording
Theshortvideoplatformutilizestechnicalmeanssuchashigh-definitioncamera, slow-motion playback, and multi-angle shooting, which can truly capture the nuancesoftraditionalarchitecture,suchasbrickcarvings,woodenstructures,and traditional craftsmanship. Through short videos, researchers and the public can
notonlyvisualizetheaestheticfeaturesofthebuildings,butalsounderstandthe history and cultural connotations behind them. Compared with the traditional static recording method, dynamic video can more easily show the spatial layout and on-site atmosphere of the building, which helps to make up for the shortcomingsofwrittenrecords.
B.CommunicationEffectandInteractivity
Short video platforms have strong dissemination ability and social interactivity, and platform users can quickly spread the information of architectural heritage through interactive methods such as liking, commenting and forwarding. This mode of communication not only raises the public's attention to architectural conservation, but also makes more architectural heritage widely displayed. The algorithmic recommendation mechanism within the platform can push relevant content according to users' interests, further enhancing the exposure and influenceofarchitecturalheritageinformation.
C.DiversifiedPresentationandVirtualExperience
With the development of technology, short video platforms are gradually introducingAR/VRandotheraugmentedrealitytechnologiestoprovideviewers with a virtual visit experience. Viewers can take a “cloud tour” through short videos and experience the real feeling of traditional architecture in the virtual space.Thisvirtualexperiencenotonlyprovidesaconvenientwaytovisitforthe public who can't be there in person, but also provides another form of digital archivingforarchitecturalconservation,whichishelpfulforculturalinheritance
village renewal, which may neglect the details and the historical and cultural connotationsbehindthem,makingitdifficultforthepublictofullyunderstandthe valueoftraditionalarchitecture.
Easily triggering the tendency of entertainment: fragmented content is easily oversimplifiedandentertained,leadingtothedilutionoftrulyprofessionalandindepth information on architectural conservation, thus affecting in-depth discussionsonvillagerenewalissues.
B.ImpactofAlgorithmicRecommendation
Targetedandprecisedissemination:algorithmscanpushrelevantcontent according to users' interests, so that audiences interested in architectural conservation or traditional culture can have easier access to relevant information,whichhelpstoformtargetedconcernsanddiscussions.
Information cocooning and bias reinforcement: algorithmic tendency recommendation will expose users to only a certain type of mainstream or popular content, which may lead to the marginalization of in-depth and professional architectural heritage conservation content, while reinforcing existingcognitivebiases.
Traffic Orientation and Content Homogenization: In order to gain more traffic and exposure, content creators may cater to algorithmic preferences and produce more visually appealing and entertaining content, while neglectingthein-depthpresentationofthehistoryofthevillageandthetrue valueofthearchitecture.
C.ImpactofCommercializationEffect
Economic promotion and village revitalization: Commercialization can bringeconomicbenefitssuchastourismandinvestmenttotraditionalvillages, promote infrastructure construction and village renewal, and provide financialsupportforconservation.
Risk of loss of cultural authenticity: Excessive pursuit of commercial interests may cause traditional villages to be over-packaged, and the architecturalandculturalauthenticitymaybeeasilysacrificed,andtraditional craftsandhistoricalconnotationsmaybereducedto“touristcommodities”.
Multi-interest game: Under the background of commercialization, the relationship between different interests (government, platforms, merchants and villagers) becomes more complicated, which may promote synergistic cooperation, but also lead to contradictions and conflicts between conservationmeasuresandcommercialdevelopment.
In the process of conservation of traditional rural buildings, there are multiple interestscontributingtotheprocessofconservationandregeneration.
A.Government-ledandpolicy-guided
Formulationofprotectionandrenewalpolicies:Thegovernmentprovides institutionalsafeguardsforprotectionandrenewalthroughtheintroduction ofrelevantpoliciesandplans(e.g.traditionalvillageprotectionplans,rural revitalizationpolicies).
Fundingandresourcesupport:Thegovernmentcansetupspecialfunds
culture and architectural features to the netizens in a vivid and easy-tounderstandway.
Multiple perspectives and cross-discipline cooperation: Through cooperationwitharchitecturalexperts,literatureandhistoryresearchersand villagers,bloggerscancreatecontentthatisbothprofessionalandenjoyable, and promote the public to have a more comprehensive understanding of traditionalvillages.
FeedbackandInteraction:Interactionbetweenbloggersandviewerscan provide timely feedback on social concerns and needs, facilitating the adjustmentofstrategiesbyallpartiestobetter realizethebalancebetween culturaldisseminationandconservationandrenewal.
D.Villageparticipationandlocalpower
Culturalheritageandlocalknowledge:Villagersarethedirectguardians oftraditionalvillages,theyhaveuniqueinsightsintolocalarchitecture,history andfolklore,andtheirparticipationintheconservationandrenewalprocess canhelpmaintaintheoriginalculturalauthenticity.
Participation in decision-making and sharing: Through participation in workshops, interviews and community discussions, villagers can express their own needs, facilitated by the government and the platform, to ensure thattherenewalprocessrespectsthelocalcultureandwayoflife.
Co-production of content: Villagers can participate in content creation with bloggers and experts, so that traditional knowledge can be fused with
moderncommunicationmethodstoformdigitalculturalproductswithlocal characteristics.
E.Comprehensivemechanismformulti-partysynergyandinteraction
Establishment ofacross-border cooperationplatform:Thegovernment, platforms, bloggers and villagers can realize information sharing, resource integrationand decision-making synergy through the establishment of joint meetings,thematicforumsoronlineinteractiveplatforms.
Regular assessment and adjustment of strategies: In the course of cooperation,allpartiesshouldestablisharegularassessmentmechanismto adjust their strategies according to the progress of the project and public feedback, so as to ensure that the conservation and renewal work is always pushedforwardalongthesetobjectives.
Advocatingtheconceptofmulti-dimensionalgovernance:emphasizethe conceptof“commonconstruction,commongovernanceandsharing”,sothat allstakeholderscangivefullplaytotheirrespectivestrengthsininteraction andformasynergytorealizethesustainabledevelopmentoftheprotection andrenewaloftraditionalvillages.
From the exploration of the influencing factors of multiple interests, this paper hopes to present the favorable effects of short video platforms for different stakeholders,aswellaseffectivesuggestionsonhowtorationallyuseshortvideo platformstopromotetheprocessofarchitecturalconservation.
2.Literature Review
2.1TheoryofChineseTraditionalVillagesandRuralRevitalization
ChinesetraditionalvillagesarewitnessestothelonghistoryofChinesecivilization and important carriers of vernacular culture. Since the implementation of the Rural Revitalization Strategy in 2017, the balance between the protection of traditional villages and the modernization of the countryside has become an importantpolicyissue.Academicsgenerallyagreethattraditionalvillagesarenot onlyhistoricalsites,butalsocarryuniqueculturalmemories,architecturalcrafts and social structures. Traditional villages can usually be embodied in a spatial pattern of harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature, a layout that is facing great challenges in the context of rural revitalization.
“Every traditionalvillageis rich in culture and heritage, with non-renewable and potential tourism resources that reflect the cultural essence andspatialmemory ofharmoniouscoexistencebetweenmanandnature. “ [1]
Atthepolicylevel,theCentralCommitteeoftheCommunistPartyofChinaandthe State Council promulgated the "Rural Revitalization StrategyPlan (2018-2022)" in2018,whichproposedthatruralconstructionshouldemphasizetheprotection ofculturalheritageandtheinheritanceoflocalculture.However,inpractice,many villages have suffered damage or even disappearance of their original cultural landscapesduetoexcessivecommercialdevelopment.Researchemphasizesthat theprotectionoftraditionalvillagesshouldnotbelimitedtoexternalarchitectural
landscapes, which have highvisual contents and obviousvisualeffects.” [5]However, this also introduces new challenges. The presentation of architecture through short videos often results in fragmentation, neglecting deeper cultural and historical contexts. The visual representation of architecture in short videos frequently prioritizes aesthetics and entertainment, potentially diminishing publicunderstandingofthetruevalueofthearchitecture.Consequently,balancing visual appeal with historical authenticity during digital documentation has becomeacriticalissueofscholarlyinquiry.
2.3TheRoleofShortVideoPlatformsinCulturalDissemination
The emergence of short video platforms such as Douyin, Kuaishou, and Xiaohongshu has transformed the landscape of cultural dissemination. These platformsleveragealgorithmicprecisiontofacilitatethewidespreadpropagation of cultural content. However, this dissemination often prioritizes users' visual preferencesandemotionalneeds,ratherthanconveyingprofoundhistoricaland cultural knowledge. As noted in research，“This risk comes with the exponential growth ofshortvideoplatformssuch as TikTok, mimicked by Instagram reels, Facebook stories, and YouTubeshorts, whosealgorithmstendto propose similarcontentbasedontheusers' historiesand preferences.“[6]
The research further elucidates the dual role of algorithmic recommendation mechanisms in cultural dissemination: on one hand, it enhances the visibility of culturalheritage,therebybroadeningpublicawareness;ontheotherhand,itmay
lead to content homogenization and a superficial understanding of culture. This algorithm-driven dissemination model warrants particular attention, especially for objects like traditional villages that heavily rely on the comprehension of culturalandhistoricalcontexts.
2.4ResearchontheAuthenticityofTraditionalVillages
"Authenticity,"acrucialconceptinheritageconservation,wasinitiallyintroduced in the Nara Document on Authenticity (1994) and subsequently refined by UNESCO (2019) to encompass multiple dimensions, including material authenticityandsocio-culturalauthenticity.
Within the Chinese context, village authenticity is concretized into four aspects: materials, spatial structure, functional use, and community participation. It is argued that currentconservationpractices indomestictraditional villages often exhibit excessive restoration and commercialization tendencies, resulting in the preservationofsuperficial"authenticity"whileerodingtheculturalcore.Xijiang MiaoVillageservesasaprimeexample,whereitstourism-orienteddevelopment modelhasledtothegraduallossoftheoriginalMiaoculture,drivenbycommercial interests.
2.5Algorithm Recommendation Mechanism in Short Video Platforms
The algorithm recommendation mechanism is central to short video platforms, profoundly influencing content creation and dissemination. Research indicates
that algorithms are not neutral technical tools but are embedded with specific cultural preferences and commercial logic. This mechanism analyzes user behavioralpreferencestorecommendvisuallyimpactfulandentertainingcontent.
Thismechanismhasaclear"amplification"and"marginalization"effectincultural transmission, reinforcing the spread of visual spectacles and emotional content while potentially neglecting in-depth content and the expression of minority cultures. For atypical villages like the Tang'an Dong Village, the algorithm's occasionalrecommendationsmaybringunexpectedattentionbutcouldalsolead tosubsequentcontentproductiondeviatingfromauthenticcommunitylife.
2.6GapsandControversiesinExistingResearc
Current research primarily focuses on the superficial impacts of algorithm dissemination mechanisms, without deeply exploring their long-term effects on architecturalauthenticityandvillagecommunitystructures.Inparticular,thereis a lack of in-depth case studies and comparative analyses of atypical villages. Simultaneously, there are significant theoretical disagreements regarding the definition of authenticity: some scholars emphasize material and formal authenticity, while others emphasize the authenticity ofcommunity culture and lifestyle.
This study aims to fill the above-mentioned research gaps through comparative casestudiesoftheXijiangMiaoVillageandtheTang'anDongVillage,exploringthe
Withthesupportofthesetheories,ananalyticalframeworkcanbeconstructedto examine the impact of short video platforms on the conservation of traditional villagearchitecture,encompassingmultiplestagessuchasplatformmechanisms, content production, spatial representation, public perception, and authenticity changes.
3.2
ResearchDesign
Two traditional villages with significant differences in short video platform presentation, dissemination paths, and development outcomes are selected for comparison: Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village (typical, tourism-mature, governmentled)andTang'anDongVillage(atypical,spontaneousdissemination,platform-led).
Qualitative Content Analysis: Focuses on the types, styles, frequencies, and algorithmicrecommendationmodelsofcontentdisseminatedontheplatform,as well as the interaction methods and comment feedback of platform users, to extract their construction methods of village architectural cognition and authenticity.
In addition, semi-structured interviews and field observation data are used to enhancetheempiricaldepthandexplanatorypoweroftheresearch.
3.3DataCollectionandAnalysisMethods
3.3.1DataSources
A. ShortVideoPlatformContentAcquisition：
Platforms: Douyin, Xiaohongshu (primarily focusing on content
intervention,"and"tourismmotivationdrive"；
Comparative Analysis: Focusing on the similarities and differences between two villages in terms of platform dissemination models, architectural intervention outcomes, villager participation, and cultural identity；
NarrativeAnalysis:Analyzinghowplatformvideocontentnarratesvillage history, culture, and architectural features, constructing "imagined villages"or"consumption-orientedpastoralimaginations."
3.4CaseSelectionandComparativeAnalysis
This study employs a comparative analysis of two traditional villages: Xijiang QianhuMiaoVillageandTang'anDongVillage shownas Figure5.XijiangQianhu Miao Village, located in the Qiandongnan Prefecture of Guizhou Province, is renowned for its large-scale Miao settlement and well-preserved traditional wooden architecture. Following years of tourism development, Xijiang Miao Village has become a typical government-led tourist attraction. Building renovations and maintenance are centrally planned and implemented by the government, with significant commercial development. This has resulted in a highly visual cultural landscape, where the original community life is gradually transformedintoperformativescenescateringtotouristdemands,andthespatial functionsandculturalconnotationsofthevillageareincreasinglysupplantedby tourismconsumption.
4.Case Studies
4.1Background
In this study, two traditional villages, Xijiang Thousand Houses Miao Village in Guizhou Province and Tang'an Dong Village in Liping County, were selected for specificanalysis.Althoughthesetwovillagesarebothtypicalcasesoftraditional villagepreservation,theyaresignificantlydifferentintermsoftheirdevelopment modes, degree of tourism development, and characteristics of dissemination on short-video platforms, making them suitable for comparison in this study to exploretheimpactofdigitaldisseminationonarchitecturalauthenticity.
LocatedinLeishanCounty,QiandongnanMiaoandDongAutonomousPrefecture, GuizhouProvince,XijiangQianhuMiaoVillageisfamousforitsmagnificentscale of Miao hammock buildings. Since the government officially planned it as a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2007, Xijiang Miaozhai has experienced large-scale tourism development and infrastructure construction, and has graduallyformedatourismdevelopmentmodeledbygovernmentplanning.This development mode has led to the unification and visualization of local architectural styles, and the attributes of tourist commodities of the buildings havecometothefore,withthevillagespacegraduallybeingoccupiedbytourist commercial facilities. Meanwhile, Xijiang Miao Village has been widely disseminated on short video platforms, mainly through aerial photography and exquisite footage, which has become a typical case of “visual spectacle”
coldinwinterandnoscorchingheatinsummer.Xijiangisthephonetictranslation oftheMiaolanguage“dlibjangi”,originallyknownas“Xianxiang”,theQingdynasty Yongzheng seven years after the construction of “Xinjiang six halls”, renamed “Chicken speaking ”, Republic of China in 5 years (1916) renamed Xijiang, 36 kilometersfromthecounty,35kilometersfromthestatecapitalofKerry.Existing 1,285 households of 5,120 people, of which the Miao population accounted for 99.5%, so there are “thousands of Miao village”, is one of China's historical and culturaltowns,isalsotheworld'sfirstlargeMiaovillage.Thefortressisdivided into 8 natural fortresses, including Pingzhai, Wuga, Gan Yang, Dongyin, Yitong, Yangpai,Yidong,Shuizhai,andGoume,etc.
Thefortressesareconnectedwitheachother,andthehouseholdsareclosetoeach other (Figure 6). The natural cottage households are connected, the wooden hammock group built on the mountain, layer upon layer, lined up, magnificent, unique, rich ethnic flavor, colorful Miao culture, after more than 2,000 years of development,hasnowformedthecountry'slargestancientMiaocottage.In1982, Xijiang Thousand Households Miao Village was listed by the provincial governmentastheprovince'sClassBruraltouristarea;in1987,itwaslistedas theeasternlineofethnicflavortouristattractions;from1999tonow,ithasbeen listed as the province's key protection and construction of ethnic villages and towns; in 2005, the China Nationalities Museum Xijiang Thousand Households MiaoVillageMuseumwasofficiallyopened,andChina'sfirstmuseumoftheMiao villagewassetupinXijiang.2006,theXijiangMiaoembroidery,Miaosilverjewelry
forging techniques, Miao culture and colorful culture were established in the country.In2006,XijiangMiaoembroidery,Miaosilverjewelryforgingtechniques, MiaoancientsongsandMiaofootstoolconstructiontechniqueswerelistedinthe first batch of national intangible cultural heritage list. 2007 was listed as a preselected place of the World Cultural Heritage, and in the same year, Xijiang was listedinthe“FamousHistoricalandCulturalTownsofChina”andwasawardedthe honorof“LandscapeVillageofChina”.Inthesameyear,itwaslistedas“Famous HistoricalandCulturalTownofChina”andwonthehonorof“ChineseLandscape Village”. Xijiang's unique geographical environment and the unique historical background of the Miao people make its ethnic culture heavy, simple and rich, preserving the primitive farming culture, is a typical representative of the Miao culture in the Leigongshan area, so scholars of ethnicity believe that “look at Xijiangknowtheworld'sMiaovillage,”Xijiangisincreasinglybecomingthelargest originalecologicalethniccustomsinGuizhouProvince,QiandongnanPrefecture, the tourism center. Tourism Center. (Source: Chinese National Museum of Ethnology)
On short video platforms, Xijiang Miao Village is widely presented as a tourist destination through aerial photography. These videos typically employ drone aerialshotstoshowcasethedenseandorderlywoodenstilthousesandtheunified, brightly lit night scenes of the village. This shooting method caters to the visual impact favored by algorithm recommendation mechanisms, prompting content creators to produce homogenized, high-visual-impact content, while authentic scenesofMiaocommunitylifegraduallydisappearfromtheplatform'scontent.A bloggerinvolvedinshortvideocreationmentioned,"Ifthevideosweshootarenot shocking enough, they won't get recommended by the platform at all, so we gradually tend to create this kind of visual spectacle. Although it may not be authentic, it can bring a lot of traffic." Shown as Figure 7
At the same time, the architectural functions within the village have also been profoundlyalteredbythetourismindustry.Alargenumberofresidentialhouses havebeentransformedintocommercialfacilitiessuchasguesthouses,restaurants, andshops,significantlysqueezingthespacetrulyusedfortheresidents'livingand community interaction. The community space, originally dominated by life, is gradually transforming towards performance and commercialization. This
transformation is further reinforced and disseminated during the short video disseminationprocess.TheMiaovillageontheplatformismoreakintoacarefully plannedvisualsymbolratherthanaplaceofreallifeandculturalheritage.
Thepropagationlogic,centeredonvisualspectacle,createsasignificantdisparity betweentourists'expectationsandtheiractualexperiencesintheMiaovillages.
Uponvisiting,touristsoftendiscoverthatthe"authenticMiaoculture"presented inshortvideosisprimarilyarehearsedtouristperformanceratherthanagenuine reflection of community life and cultural practices. This discrepancy not only diminishes tourist satisfaction but also gradually impacts the community residents'identificationwiththeirownculture.
4.2.2Tang'anDongVillage:TheIntersectionofAlgorithmicRecommendationand CommunityAgency
Tang'an Dong Village, located in Liping County, Guizhou Province, exemplifies a traditional Dong settlement, boasting intact and authentic traditional Dong architecturalcomplexes,suchasdrumtowersandwind-and-rainbridges.Unlike XijiangQianhuMiaoVillage,Tang'anDongVillagehasnotundergonelarge-scale tourismdevelopment.Itspresenceonshortvideoplatformsisprimarilydrivenby independentbloggersandlocalresidents.”
Thisresearchrevealsthatsomebloggersinitiallypublishedshortvideoswiththe intention of documenting the authentic community life（Figure 8）, traditional crafts, and festival activities of Tang'an Dong Village. These unembellished,
genuine contents unexpectedly gained traction through platform algorithms, rapidly increasing the village's visibility and recognition. As one young local bloggernoted,"Initially,weonlywantedtouseshortvideostorecordDongculture, allowingtheoutsideworldtoseethemostauthenticstateofourvillage'slife.We didn't expect such a positive response, with many netizens encouraging us to continuerecording."
AsthevisibilityoftheDongminorityvillageofTang'anincreases,itsresidentsare progressively engaging in architectural preservation and the dissemination of their traditional culture. The platform's propagation effect has incentivized villagerstoproactivelyrestoretraditionalwoodenstructures,therebyrekindling the community's pride in and awareness of the importance of preserving Dong culture.Duringafieldinterview,along-termresidentofTang'anstated,"Sinceour villagegainedonlineattention,we'verecognizedthevalueofourcultureandhave
begun actively restoring our ancestral buildings. The younger generation is also moreinclinedtoremaininthevillage,participatinginculturalpreservationand promotionefforts."
Tang'anVillageisrichinculture,withtraditionalDongculturesuchasDongopera, Dongpipasongs,Lusheng,embroideryandbatik.Everyyearinthefirstmonthof theyear,the“SacrificeofSasu”,the“June6PipaSongFestival”andthe“DongNew YearFestival”attractmanytourists.(Figure 9)
Despite these positive developments, Tang'an, under the influence of algorithmdriven rapid attention, is also beginning to face potential pressures from commercial development. The influx of external investors and tourists has presentednew economic opportunities for local residents, but it has also raised challenges regarding the preservation of the authenticity of the village's architectureandculture.ThecriticalissueforTang'aninthefuturewillbehowto balance the developmental opportunities presented by digital media with the imperativetosafeguardthecommunity'sauthenticculturalheritage,achallenge thatthecommunityandrelevantstakeholdersmustaddress. The case of Tang'an demonstrates the positive potential of short video platform
algorithms in disseminating authentic community life and stimulating community-led preservation efforts. However, it also reveals the potential risks and challenges associated with algorithmic recommendations. The effective utilization of algorithmic recommendation mechanisms to promote the preservation of traditional village architecture, while simultaneously balancing commercialdevelopmentwithculturalpreservation,willbeacrucialdirectionfor futurepolicyandpracticalexploration.
4.3ApplicationofShortVideoPlatformsintheCases
Through an in-depth analysis of the two cases, we observe that short video platformsarenotmerelytoolsforrecordinganddisseminatinginformationinthe architecturalpreservationoftraditionalvillages.Instead,theydeeplyintervenein theproductionandreproductionprocessesofvillagespacesthroughalgorithmic recommendationmechanismsandcontentconsumptionlogic.(Figure10)
The case of Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village demonstrates that excessive commercializationandthepropagationofvisualspectaclehaveledtoaprofound alienation of architectural authenticity, diminishing or even eliminating the originalspatiallivabilityandcommunityfunctions.Incontrast,thecaseofTang'an Dong Village showcases the potential positive effects of short video platforms, where the platform's recommendation mechanisms have, to some extent, promotedbottom-upculturalidentityandcommunity-ledrenewal.However,this autonomous renewal also faces a delicate balance between authenticity and commercializationafterwiderdissemination.
In summary, the algorithmic recommendation mechanisms of short video platforms have dual impacts: on the one hand, they can effectively increase the visibilityandattentionoftraditionalvillages,promotingcommunityparticipation and spontaneous protection; on the other hand, they may also drive villages towards visual spectacle and commercial alienation. This complex mechanism needstobefullyconsideredandbalancedinfuturearchitecturalpreservationand renewalstrategiestotrulyachievethesustainableprotectionanddevelopmentof traditionalvillagearchitectureandculture.(Figure11)
feedbackoftheseplatformshavemadevillagersawareoftheuniquevalueoftheir own culture and environment, inspiring them to actively document and protect thevillage'sarchitecture.Shortvideoplatformshavebecomeimportantvehicles forvillagerstospontaneouslyrepair buildingsandrecordtraditionalhandicraft processes,promotingtheinheritanceandcontinuationofcommunityculture.
5.2NegativeImpactsandRisksofShortVideoPlatforms
Despitethepositiveeffectsofshortvideoplatforms,theirnegativeimpactscannot beignored.Thetendencyofshortvideoplatformstowardsthedisseminationof visual and fragmented content may lead to a neglect of the deeper cultural connotationsofarchitecture.InthecaseofXijiangMiaoVillage,alargeamountof content production revolves around visual spectacles, ignoring the authentic community life and cultural customs, leading audiences to a superficial understanding,andevenmisunderstanding,ofthevillage'sculture.
Furthermore, the platform's commercial orientation and algorithmic recommendationmechanismsmaydrivetraditionalvillagestoexcessivelycater totouristdemands,graduallyerodingtheauthenticityofarchitectureandculture. ThecommercialdevelopmentofXijiangMiaoVillageservesasaprimeexample, where numerous spaces originally dedicated to community life have been transformed into tourism consumption venues. This shift has led to the gradual disintegrationoftheoriginalcommunityfunctionsandculturalatmosphere,with authenticvillagelifeincreasinglysupplantedbytouristperformances.
5.3The Dual Effects of Short Video Platforms on Guiding
ArchitecturalPreservationProcessesRegardingAuthenticity
Shortvideoplatformsexertadualinfluenceonarchitecturalauthenticity.Onthe onehand,theyenhancepublicawarenessoftraditionalarchitecturalpreservation through dissemination. On the other hand, the performative and commercial orientationofplatformcontentmaynegativelyimpactauthenticity.Thetwocase studiespresentedinthispaperdemonstratethatthepreservationofauthenticity is not merely about the physical preservation of structures but should also emphasizecommunityparticipationandthecontinuationoflivingculture.
IntheXijiangMiaoVillagecase,thedestructionofauthenticityismanifestedinthe alienationofarchitecturalfunctionsandthedisappearanceoftheauthenticityof communitylife.Incontrast,theDong'anDongVillageexhibitsadelicatebalance between authenticity and commercial development. The platform's active promotion,coupledwiththeactiveparticipationofvillagers,hasjointlyformeda new preservation model. This model ensures the authenticity of life while moderatelyintegratingexternalresources.
5.4How Short Video Platform Algorithmic Mechanisms Influence
Architectural
PreservationProcesses
Algorithmic recommendation mechanisms are at the core of short video platforms' influence, determining which cultural elements are more readily
acceptedandconsumedbythepublicthroughprecisecontentdelivery.However, while promoting the exposure of traditional villages, this mechanism may also reinforce visual spectacle and entertainment trends, thereby influencing the directionofarchitecturalpreservation.
The research reveals that algorithmic mechanisms tend to promote visually striking content, leading traditional villages like Xijiang Miao Village towards visual homogenization and the commercialization of architectural functions. Conversely,intheDongVillageofTang'an,theserendipitousrecommendationsof algorithmic mechanisms have increased public attention towards authentic, everydaylifescenarios.Thismodeofdisseminationis,infact,moreconduciveto thepreservationofthevillage'sauthenticity.
5.5TheoreticalandPracticalImplications
Firstly, on a theoretical level, the concept of "authenticity" should be further refinedandclarified,emphasizingthebalancebetweenmaterialauthenticityand the authenticity of community life. Secondly, in practice, collaborative efforts among platforms, communities, and governments should be promoted to establish a mechanism for joint protection and renewal. This approach aims to maximizethepositiveeffectsofalgorithmicrecommendationmechanismswhile effectivelymitigatingtheirnegativeimpacts.
This study introduces the concept of "digital authenticity," which refers to the authenticity of architecture and culture within a digital communication environment.Itencompassesnotonlythephysicalpreservationofbuildingsbut alsothecontinuityofcommunitydailylife,culturalmemory,andresidents'selfidentity. "Digital authenticity" emphasizes dynamic equilibrium, asserting that architectural preservation is not merely static repair and maintenance but requiresintegrationwiththeauthentic,dynamicinteractionofcommunitysocioculturalactivities,therebyenablingarchitectureandcommunitylifetoconstitute a complete and organic whole. In practical terms, it is essential to establish community-led mechanisms for cultural expression and the documentation of dailylife.Thiscanbeachievedthroughshortvideosandothermultimediameans to present authentic daily life scenarios of community residents, ensuring consistencyofauthenticityacrossdigitalandphysicalspaces.
6.1.1 DefinitionandImplicationsof"DigitalAuthenticity"
Digitalauthenticityextendsandexpandsthetraditionalconceptof"authenticity" within the context of digital preservation. It emphasizes not only the material realityofarchitecture,suchastraditionalmaterialsandspatialconfigurations,but also how to maintain the integrity and continuity of traditional communities, culturalexpressions,dailylife,andresidents'identitiesinthedigitalage.
Specifically,digitalauthenticityfocuseson:
Accurate representation of architectural form: Digital content must accurately represent the original form, spatial layout, and material craftsmanshipofthearchitecture,avoidingembellishmentorexaggeration.
Complete representation of cultural context: Digital expression should fully present the historical and cultural context and community lifestyle behindthearchitecture,avoidingtheseparationofthearchitecturefromthe residents.
Authenticreflection ofcommunityparticipation:Thedigitizationprocess should reflect the participation of villagers and their understanding and expression of their own culture, avoiding purely external aesthetic and commercialinterests.
6.1.2 StrategiesforAchievingDigitalAuthenticity
A.Establisha"Community-Oriented"DigitalArchivingSystem
When combining traditional architectural preservation with digital technology, governmentsandrelatedinstitutionsshouldestablishacompletedigitalarchiving system.Thissystemneedstoreflecttheprinciplesofcommunityorientation,and the content collection process should actively invite community residents to participate.
Step1(EstablishmentofBasicArchives):Useprofessionalphotography, 3D laser scanning, drone aerial photography, and other technologies to
accurately record the original appearance of the architecture, forming a completespatialdatabase.
Step 2 (Construction of Cultural Archives): Through interviews, video recordings, and other methods, establish a community memory bank in the formofvillagers'self-narratives,recordingtraditionalrituals,customs,skills, andcommunityhistory.
Step 3 (Community Maintenance Mechanism): Grant community residentsmanagementrightsandregularlyupdatedigitalarchives,reflecting theinitiativeandlocalityofthecommunity.
B Integrationofdigitaltechnologieswithtraditionalcraftsmanship
Whenapplyingdigitaltechnologiestothepreservationoftraditionalarchitecture, emphasis should be placed on integrating them with local traditional crafts and buildingtechniques,ratherthansolelypursuingvisualimpactoraestheticappeal.
Step1(DigitalRestoration):Utilizedigitaltechnologytovirtuallyrestore damaged components of traditional buildings, followed by physical restoration using traditional craftsmanship to maintain the authentic craftsmanshipofthearchitecture.
Step 2 (Digital Teaching of Traditional Crafts): Establish an online platform for craft skills, showcasing the processes and key points of traditionalcrafts,allowingaudiencestounderstandthetruevalueoftheskills behindthearchitecture.
6.1.3 RealizingtheLong-TermValueof"DigitalAuthenticity"
Through the systematic implementation of the aforementioned strategies, the preservation pathway of "digital authenticity" can better balance the material form and cultural connotations of architecture, enabling traditional villages to maintain genuine cultural vitality in the digital dissemination era. The multifaceted collaboration among government bodies, digital platforms, local communities, and academia will be a critical factor in the success of authentic architecturalpreservationinthedigitalage.Theimplementationofthesespecific measures will ensure the long-term maintenance of the authenticity and sustainability of traditional village architectural preservation within the new digitalcommunicationenvironment.
6.2TheImpactandOptimizationofAlgorithmicRecommendation
MechanismsonArchitecturalPreservationDissemination
As the core operational logic of short video platforms, algorithmic recommendationmechanismshaveaprofoundimpactonthedisseminationand preservation of traditional villages. Research indicates that algorithms tend to favor highly visual and entertaining content, leading to the homogenization of culturalexpressionintraditionalvillages,therebyaffectingthepublic'sin-depth understandingofvillageculture.
To optimize algorithmic recommendation mechanisms, it is recommended that platformsincreasetheweightofdiversityanddepthincontentrecommendations, activelypromotingthedisseminationofcontentwithhistoricalandculturaldepth, aswellasauthenticcommunitylifescenarios.Simultaneously,platformsshould enhancethetransparencyofalgorithmicrecommendationmechanisms,enabling users to understand the underlying logic and impact of algorithms, thereby participatinginandconsumingcontentmorerationally.
6.2.1 SpecificMeasuresforAlgorithmicMechanismOptimization
A.EnhancingtheDiversityandCulturalDepthofRecommendedContent
Increase the recommendation priority of in-depth cultural and educational content in algorithmic weights, such as knowledge of traditional architectural preservation, demonstrations of restoration techniques,andhistoricalstoriesofvillages.
Establishanalgorithmiclabelclassificationsystem,categorizingcontent into "entertainment," "education," and "public welfare" types, and providingclearalgorithmicrecommendationbiasesaccordingly.
Employ content expert review mechanisms to weight algorithmic recommendationsforspecifichistoricalandculturalcontent.
B.EnhanceAlgorithmicTransparencyandUserEngagement
Regularly publish algorithmic recommendation transparency reports, disclosing the content recommendation principles of the algorithm to
enhancepublicunderstandingandtrustinalgorithmicrecommendations.
Provideuserfeedbackchannels,allowinguserstoevaluaterecommended contentbasedonauthenticity,culturalvalue,andotherdimensions,with thealgorithmcontinuouslyadjustingbasedontheseevaluations.
Encourage users to customize content preferences, allowing them to select content types they are more interested in, breaking through the information"silos"causedbyalgorithmicrecommendations.
C.EstablishaSocialValue-OrientedAlgorithmSupervisionMechanism
Involve government, academia, and the community in joint algorithm supervision, regularly assessing the impact of algorithms on the dissemination of traditional village culture, and promptly adjusting algorithmicguidance.
Setsocialresponsibilityparameterswithinthealgorithm,incorporating village protection and community values into the algorithm's recommendationevaluationcriteria.
Establishadigitalethicsandalgorithmsupervisioncommitteejointlyby the government and platforms to ensure that platform content and recommendation algorithms align with the social values of cultural protectionanddissemination.
6.2.2 Strategies for Effectively Guiding the Protection Process Using ExistingAlgorithmicMechanisms
A.CreateaDemonstrationEffectofHigh-QualityContent
architecturalpreservationfunds.
Guide algorithms to focus on community-led cultural and economic activities,formingavirtuouscycleof"contentdissemination economic benefits reinvestmentinculturalpreservation."
6.2.3 RecommendationsforImplementationSteps
Step 1: Establish a Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration Mechanism (Platforms, Government,Communities)
Establishajointworkinggroupforthedigitalpreservationoftraditionalvillages andalgorithmoptimization.Thisgroupshouldfacilitateregularcoordinationand communication regarding the progress of algorithm optimization and preservationpractices.
Step2:AlgorithmEvaluationandContentQualityMonitoring
Conductquarterlyreviewsandqualityassessmentsofplatformcontenttoensure that algorithmic recommendations align with cultural values and authenticity requirements.
Step3:ImplementPublicEducationandAwarenessCampaigns
Utilize platform live streams, special columns, interactive lectures, and other formatstoenhanceuserunderstandingandparticipationinculturalpreservation effortsandthemechanismsofalgorithmicrecommendation.
Step4:PilotDemonstrationandExpansion
Selectseveraltraditionalvillagesaspilotsitestoimplementin-depthpreservation and dissemination plans following algorithm optimization. After summarizing
experiences,graduallyexpandtheseinitiativestomoretraditionalvillages.
6.3PolicyRecommendationsandPracticalSuggestions
Government agencies should establish more flexible and community-oriented policies for the preservation of traditional villages. These policies should incorporatetheopinionsandneedsofcommunityresidentsintheirformulation andimplementation,therebytrulyrealizingacommunity-ledpreservationmodel. Furthermore, short video platforms need to assume corresponding social responsibilitiesandactivelyparticipateinthediscoursesurroundingtraditional village preservation. Specifically, platforms should establish communication channelswithlocalgovernmentsandcommunities,collaboratingoneducational and in-depth cultural dissemination projects to reduce the proportion of purely commercialandentertainment-orientedcontent.
Inaddition,theagencyandenthusiasmofcommunityresidentsneedtobefurther enhanced.Governmentsandplatformscanjointlyprovidefinancialandtechnical support to promote the autonomous participation of community residents in cultural preservation and dissemination activities, ensuring that village preservationactionsaremorealignedwithlocalrealities. Finally, it is recommended to establish a multi-stakeholder collaborative governance platform, forming a multi-party communication and cooperation mechanismthatincludesgovernment,platformenterprises,academicinstitutions,
and community residents. Through regular communication and collaboration, a preservation and renewal plan suitable for local conditions can be jointly formulated, promoting the preservation and development of traditional villages towardsamoresustainablefuture.
By strengthening the collaborative interaction and shared responsibility among multiple stakeholders, the preservation of traditional village architecture and culture can achieve genuine sustainable development in the era of digital dissemination.。
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