The uploaded dataset is the empirical data for my PhD dissertation, including in-depth interview recordings, transcriptions, and photos. These first-hand data was collected from field surveys conducted in two locations: Louna Village in Guizhou Province and Aranya Community in Hebei Province. It comprises 34 photos, 96 audio recordings and 84 transcriptions. The interviewees mainly consist of decision-makers (government), participants (local residents), stakeholders (developers, architects, other social capital) and tourists.