Unpacking the Dynamics of Heritage-Led Regeneration: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach for Traditional Villages of Hebei, China

Unlike widely examined urban settings, heritage-led rural regeneration remains an urgent yet insufficiently explored challenge. Grounded in stimulus–response theory, this study examines how heritage capacity influences the regeneration of traditional villages in Hebei Province, China. Drawing on community-building theory, heritage capacity (stimulus) is conceptualized through five dimensions: Public Participation, Media Platform Construction, Adaptive Reuse, Heritage Industry Development, and Landscape Maintenance. Village regeneration (response) is evaluated across economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Using PLS-SEM analysis of questionnaire data and expert consultations, the study shows that regeneration outcomes arise from an integrated system in which tangible and intangible capacities reinforce each other. It further highlights that the most effective strategy combines priority investment with strategic repositioning. For economic sustainability, Adaptive Reuse and Media Platform Construction serve as immediate drivers, while Heritage Industry Development and Landscape Maintenance provide long-term foundations. For social sustainability, Public Participation and Media Platform Construction act as key enablers by strengthening social connections. For environmental sustainability, Adaptive Reuse offers the most direct benefits, whereas Landscape Maintenance and Public Participation contribute gradual but essential outcomes. This study offers practical guidance for the regeneration of Hebei’s villages, proposing a scalable model for sustainable rural development that has broad implications for similar historical regions worldwide.