A Preliminary Analysis of the Sustainable Development Model of Traditional Ethnic Villages in China：The Case of PengJia Zhai, a Tujia Village in Hubei Province

This study employs a PEST analysis framework to investigate the sustainable development of traditional ethnic villages in China, with a focus on Pengjiazhai, a representative Tujia stilt-house village in Hubei Province. Against the backdrop of rapid urbanization and modernization, which pose significant threats to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, this case exemplifies the inherent tensions between safeguarding cultural identity and pursuing socioeconomic development. Drawing on field research and policy analysis, the study examines Pengjiazhai across four dimensions: Political (policy support and institutional mechanisms), Economic (resource endowments and industrial development), Social (cultural identity and villagers participation), and Technological (preservation of traditional craftsmanship and digital innovation). The findings identify several structural challenges, including fragmented policy implementation, inadequate mechanisms for converting cultural resources into economic value, intergenerational shifts in cultural identity, and vulnerabilities in the continuity of intangible cultural heritage. In response, the paper proposes an integrated “four-dimensional collaborative paths” model that synergizes cultural preservation, institutional innovation, market development, and technological adaptation. Central to this framework is the emphasis on villagers’ agency and cultural consciousness as the cornerstone of sustainable development. The study contributes to theoretical discourse by adapting the PEST framework to the context of cultural heritage studies, while offering practical insights for policy-making and community-led revitalization of traditional villages in China and other similar contexts.