This paper examines
the emergence and evolution of the gongfang (workshop) model as a
transformative mechanism for integrating Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)
into sustainable rural development in China. Moving beyond conventional
preservation paradigms, ICH workshops have evolved into hybrid socio-economic
entities that simultaneously safeguard cultural practices, generate
livelihoods, and stimulate local economies. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s theory
of cultural capital and practice, David Throsby’s economic theory of cultural
capital, and Ian Scoones’ sustainable livelihoods framework, this study
analyzes how the Gongfang system converts embodied cultural capital into
economic value through flexible production, community-based employment, and
digital-market integration. Based on empirical cases from Guizhou (Miao
embroidery), Shaanxi (rattan weaving), and Sichuan (bamboo weaving), and recent
policy developments, the paper argues that the model redefines rural
sustainability by navigating the enduring tensions between commercialization
and authenticity. The findings contribute to global debates on the “livelihood
turn” in ICH governance and offer a potentially replicable framework for
heritage-driven rural development.
