Exploring the transformation mechanism of modern agricultural villages in the loess hilly and gully regions using actor-network theory

As urbanization accelerates, rural regions in China are experiencing transformative changes. This study examines the transformation mechanism of modern agricultural villages in the loess hilly and gully regions, using Zhaojiawa Village in Shannxi Province of China as a case study. In this study, we explored the village’s evolution amid China’s rural revitalization efforts, highlighting the transition from a traditional agricultural village to a modern agricultural village in the context of rapid urbanization. This study employed actor-network theory (ANT) to investigate the complex interactions among diverse actors that drive rural transformation. ANT interlinks spatial relationships with intricate social networks. We utilized Google Earth remote sensing images in 2015 and 2021 and interview data to construct ANT. Three key dimensions of rural transformation are identified: economic structure transformation, social relationship reorganization, and spatial layout reconstruction. The transformation mechanism in Zhaojiawa Village is underpinned by a network of diverse actors, both human and non-human, aligned around two pivotal stages of agricultural village development (i.e., construction stage and development stage). In the initial construction stage, the Suide County government led a complex actor network to enhance rural living and production spaces. In the development stage, the village committee emerged as a central actor, with increased participation from villagers and external enterprises, facilitating the creation of a multifunctional space. The evolving goals and roles of these key actors contributed to the reconfiguration of the actor network, promoting rural transformation. These insights are applicable to other ecologically vulnerable and economically challenged rural areas in the loess hilly and gully regions, suggesting that collaboration among stakeholders can effectively facilitate the transition to specialized and integrated industries, thereby fostering rural revitalization.