Exploring the interplay between traditional Bai dwelling conservation and cultural identity under urbanization in Dali, China

Abstract

Traditional dwellings serve as important carriers of ethnic cultural identity yet face increasing pressure from urbanization. This study investigates the bidirectional interaction mechanisms between traditional Bai dwelling conservation and cultural identity formation under urbanization pressures in Dali, China, addressing critical gaps in understanding how heritage preservation and cultural continuity mutually influence each other in rapidly changing ethnic minority communities. A mixed methods research design was employed, integrating quantitative surveys of 480 Bai households across 12 traditional villages with qualitative interviews and spatial analysis, utilizing structural equation modeling, geographically weighted regression, and thematic analysis to examine conservation-identity relationships across varying urbanization contexts. Results demonstrate significant bidirectional causal relationships between conservation engagement and cultural identity (β = 0.394 and 0.312, both p<0.001), with community participation and intergenerational contact serving as key mediating mechanisms, while urbanization level negatively moderates these relationships (β = −0.187, p<0.001). Notably, intermediate urbanization areas achieve optimal conservation-identity synergy, with spatial clustering revealing geographic heterogeneity in heritage-identity dynamics. These findings suggest that traditional dwelling conservation and cultural identity serve as mutually reinforcing processes rather than independent phenomena, creating positive feedback loops that enhance both preservation outcomes and cultural continuity through embodied practice and community engagement. The study informs the development of community-centered conservation strategies that recognize the intimate connections between physical preservation and cultural vitality, suggesting that sustainable heritage conservation requires integrated approaches that nurture both architectural integrity and cultural identity processes for long-term preservation success.