Rural settlement of urban dwellers in China: community integration and spatial restructuring

China's rural rejuvenation policy prioritizes talent renewal, making the recent phenomenon of middle-class reverse urbanization crucial. While narrowing urban-rural gaps facilitates this migration, it also presents challenges. Increasing numbers of urban dwellers are becoming "new villagers," bringing diverse skills and perspectives but also potentially clashing with existing rural communities. This study focuses on Xian Village in Nanjing to investigate the integration of these new villagers, examining the impact on rural space and community dynamics. The research aims to identify strategies for successful integration, contributing to effective rural talent retention policies and mechanisms.

The literature review examines three key areas: experiences of new villagers, community integration, and spatial restructuring. New villager definitions vary, encompassing migrant workers, middle-class families, and entrepreneurs. Community integration is explored in relation to urbanization, social atomization, and the impact of digital technology. The study leverages Lefebvre's theory of social space production, which considers the interplay of spatial practice, representations of space, and representational spaces, encompassing social, cultural, economic, and ecological dimensions. Existing research, while highlighting macro-level aspects, often lacks detailed analysis of individual experiences and the complexities of rural integration in China.

This qualitative study utilizes a multi-method approach, including semi-structured and in-depth interviews, participant observation, and symposiums. Data collection spanned 50 days between 2021 and 2022, involving 31 new villagers from 10 villages surrounding Xian Village. Participants were individuals who had migrated from urban areas and established long-term residences. NVivo qualitative analysis software was used to analyze the data. The study draws upon the push-pull theory of migration to understand the motivations behind urban-to-rural migration, examining both factors pushing individuals away from urban areas and those attracting them to rural areas like Xian Village.

The study reveals a diverse group of new villagers in Xian Village, with varying characteristics based on property ownership, involvement in village affairs, and migration motivations. Key push factors from urban areas include work pressure, poor environmental quality, and intense competition. Pull factors attracting new villagers to Xian Village include improved infrastructure, a welcoming atmosphere, ideals of rural life, affordable living costs, and the local tea culture. The analysis, using Lefebvre's spatial triad, examines integration challenges across four spatial dimensions: **1. Living Space:** Disputes over land resources highlight the tension between new and native villagers. New villagers face challenges in securing housing and obtaining legal protection for their investments, sometimes facing exclusionary practices. **2. Production Space:** A division exists between the production methods of new villagers and native villagers. New villagers, often engaged in modern services like homestays and cafes, or in specialized agricultural practices, create a cultural and economic divide. Their modern approaches sometimes clash with traditional farming methods, leading to a nuanced integration into the local production system. **3. Cultural Space:** Significant cultural differences in living habits, entertainment, and values create conflict. Differences in communication styles, expectations of privacy, and adherence to traditional customs lead to misunderstandings and social friction. The introduction of modern aesthetics and values clashes with the traditional rural culture, resulting in cultural exclusion of both new and native villagers. **4. Social Space:** New villagers form relatively closed social networks based on geographic origin, former occupations, or shared interests, leading to a degree of social exclusion of native villagers. While some integration occurs, the networks largely remain separate. This creates a parallel social structure within the village rather than full integration.

The findings demonstrate that while new villagers may not face structural social exclusion due to their economic and cultural capital, they still experience significant non-structural exclusion. This is manifested in the challenges faced in accessing living space, integrating into the production landscape, navigating cultural differences, and establishing meaningful social connections. The study highlights the need to address these challenges through fostering cultural communication, promoting shared values, and strategically restructuring rural space to accommodate both new and native villagers. The integration process involves complex interactions between the economic, cultural, and social aspects of both groups, requiring strategies that address all of these dimensions.

This study reveals the complex integration dynamics of new villagers in rural China, emphasizing the need for policies and strategies that balance the benefits of urban-to-rural migration with the preservation of existing rural communities. Fostering cultural understanding, promoting inclusive spatial planning, and establishing clear legal frameworks to protect the rights of all villagers are essential. Future research could focus on exploring long-term integration outcomes and developing targeted interventions to promote harmonious coexistence between new and native villagers. The study's insights are valuable for shaping rural revitalization strategies and enhancing rural talent retention.

The study focuses on a specific region in China, limiting the generalizability of the findings to other contexts. The qualitative nature of the research limits the scope of statistical analysis. Further investigation into the long-term impacts of new villagers on rural communities is needed. While the study acknowledges the diversity within the new villager group, a more in-depth analysis of subgroup differences could provide further insights. The research relies heavily on self-reported data from the interviewees and may not fully capture the perspectives of all stakeholders within the community.