The emerging middle ground: A case study of vernacular Hakka settlements in the peri-urban areas of southern China through an architectural heritage analysis

Rapid urban expansion is transforming rural areas globally, prompting scholars to challenge the traditional urban-rural dichotomy and focus on transitional zones such as the rural-urban fringe and peri-urban areas. This article documents the evolution of architectural morphology in traditional Hakka settlements in peri-urban areas of southern China and coins the hybrid architectural landscape combined with urban and rural characteristics in these ambiguous territories as the “Middle Ground.” Fieldwork was conducted in four Hakka villages in Heyuan, northeast Guangdong, China, between 2021 and 2023. An explorative case study was employed to analyze the architectural morphology of the Middle Ground by mapping village fabric, dwellings, and street markets through aerial photography. A participatory perspective was also incorporated, involving observation, interviews, and documentation of the daily life of local villagers. This research examines how authority and mobility have shaped the Middle Ground, potentially leading to a state of “placelessness,” and explores the role of rural heritage in this context. This research contributes to the broader discourse on peri-urban areas by offering an architectural heritage atlas as an addition to existing research.