A study on low-carbon renovation paths of traditional rural dwellings in Wuxi from residents’ perspective

Abstract Rural dwellings play a significant role in architectural field and embody local culture and lifestyle. This study, set within the geographical context of Wuxi, employs interview-based methodology to explore the potential of public participation in advancing low-carbon renovation of local traditional rural dwellings, with a specific focus on the impact in preserving rural cultural heritage and aligning with local lifestyle. Through Grounded Theory-based coding, this study has developed a ‘dwelling units, courtyard environments, and community activities’ trinity low-carbon renovation demand framework, and correspondingly proposed potential design strategies for low-carbon renovation of traditional rural dwellings. This study has validated the potential of sustainable development by integrating rural culture with modern technologies and expanded existing knowledge of sustainable development for traditional dwellings pertaining to rural construction and cultural heritage. The renovation of traditional rural dwellings places greater emphasis on concurrent integration of cultural heritage, social life, and technological innovation, aiming for holistic improvements in both rural living standards and environmental quality.