Rural housing spatial evolution triggered by household industry changes: evidence from field investigations in Chinese villages

Purpose This study aims to correlate the spatial evolution of houses with the changes in household industries in rural China to provide references for rural architectural design and land-use policies. Design/methodology/approach This study first reviews relevant studies on industry–housing relationships in rural China. Subsequently, the methods used for data collection and analysis are described. Finally, findings based on the investigation of 114 rural households in Sichuan, Southwest China, are discussed, leading to the development of planning, design, and administration strategies for the symbiotic evolution of rural housing and industry. Findings The findings indicate that when rural household industries moved from traditional agriculture to the secondary and tertiary industries, the space in rural houses moved from “production and living mixed” to “production and living separated.” Rural housing showed significant differences in space changes for different household industry types. Originality/value In the context of the rural industrial transformation in China, the evolution of rural residences may present more complex possibilities. This study fulfills the identified requirement of extensive and in-depth research on the symbiotic relationship between rural housing and the family industry.