The Impact of Urban Development on Traditional Rituals in Urban Villages in Guangzhou

<p>Over the past decade, growing emphasis has been placed on heritage conservation, with traditional rituals emerging as vital cultural elements in Guangzhou. However, urban development has transformed numerous villages: new constructions have proliferated, migrant populations now dominate settlements, and some communities have even vanished entirely. Traditional rituals, being integral to village identity, have also been impacted by urban development. </p><p></p><p>This study examines two contrasting cases of varying urban development impacts, analyzing their shared sacred spaces and ritual practices from the 1990s to the 2020s. The research identifies how urban development affects these traditions, offering actionable insights for preserving traditional rituals in the future. </p><p></p><p>This study conducts a comparative analysis from both tangible and intangible perspectives. The tangible aspect will be analyzed through three dimensions: the surrounding environment, village layout, and architectural features of the temple. The intangible aspect focuses on traditional rituals by examining their worship ceremony flows, offerings, the transmission of these ritual activities. </p><p></p><p>Findings indicate that urban development has a more direct negative impact on the traditional rituals’ tangible aspect, particularly in their spatial authenticity and integrity. However, as immigrants adapt to urban realities, they continue to maintain these traditional rituals through ongoing worship activities. Notably, these migrants demonstrate greater willingness and frequency in preserving traditional rituals, which significantly contributes to safeguarding the city's cultural heritage.</p>