Re-placing genius loci: An architectural ethnography of small places in Quanzhou’s pu-jing system

This paper is about the neighbourhoods known and remembered by a particular pattern of social relations and specific, recurrent rituals. It delves into the nuanced dynamics of place-making within the historic pu-jing neighbourhoods of Quanzhou, utilizing an approach that combines architectural ethnography and ‘research by drawing’. After an exploration of the daily practices and festive rituals intertwined within these neighbourhoods, the paper reflects on the enduring cultural significance and deep-rooted identity shaping these spaces over generations. It underscores the critical role of collective agency in preserving these intimate, historically rich spaces amidst the contemporary challenges posed by global homogeneity, offering valuable insights into the resilience of community identity and the perpetual contestation between local authenticity and global homogeneity in contemporary urban contexts.