Balancing Authenticity and Adaptive Reuse: Resident-Centric Conservation Strategies for Huizhou Traditional Dwellings

Amid rapid urbanization and modernization, traditional Huizhou dwellings face significant challenges in balancing the preservation of architectural authenticity with the practical needs of adaptive reuse. This study investigates the tensions between maintaining cultural and structural integrity and meeting evolving lifestyle and functional demands. Adopting a resident-centered perspective, the research employs a quantitative survey method, collecting 390 valid responses from two UNESCO-listed villages. A structural equation model (SEM) is used to examine the influence of conservation status, government policy, value recognition, and authenticity on residents’ perceptions of adaptive reuse. While findings indicate strong resident support for preserving traditional architectural styles and cultural identity, concerns persist about compromised comfort, outdated spatial layouts, and limitations in daily functionality. These tensions illustrate a core challenge: how to sustain authenticity without obstructing modernization. The study contributes a validated analytical framework for heritage decision-making and offers practical insights for optimizing conservation strategies through policy support, stakeholder collaboration, and selective modernization.