Affiliations:
1Faculty of Art and Communication, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
2School of Art, Kunming City University, Kunming, China
This study develops and validates a Perception-Engagement-Sustainability (PES) model to assess cultural understanding in digital immersion at vernacular heritage sites. Using Chengzi Yi Village in Yunnan, China as a case study, the model integrates cultural memory, sense of place theory, and system success theory to examine symbolic perception, emotional engagement, and intergenerational transmission. A sequential mixed-methods approach, combining ethnographic observation, expert interviews, and a user survey (n = 270), shows that cultural value perception is strongly associated with user satisfaction (β = 0.65, p < 0.001). Qualitative results further indicate that symbolic fidelity and spatial immersion foster emotional attachment. Unlike earlier models that emphasize usability or aesthetics, the PES model provides a culture-based framework that supports both meaningful interpretation and the long-term sustainability of rural heritage sites. While geographically limited, the study offers a replicable and empirically grounded approach for participatory and community-centered digital heritage design.
Cultural perception, Emotional engagement, Digital heritage, Vernacular sites, Sustainability
https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.11.018
Yang, Y., & Ding, J. (2025). Modeling digital visualization for vernacular heritage: A case study of Chengzi Yi Village. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(11), 183–197. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.11.018