Exploring the Impact of Cultural Identity on the Revitalization Benefits of Rural Communities

Abstract

Communities are fundamental to national development, functioning as essential social units where local cultural identity and public participation play a crucial role. However, rapid urbanization has led to a decline in interpersonal interactions, weakened community bonds, and increased social divides, which in turn reduce residents’ engagement in public affairs. This study aims to explore the relationship between cultural identity and community revitalization to promote sustainable community development. We will achieve this by analyzing the implementation experiences of two rural Taiwanese communities: Huanan Community in Gukeng, Yunlin, and Chenggong Community in Dadou, Taichung City. Using exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis as our methodologies, we seek to understand how cultural identity fosters cohesion, enhances participation, and supports sustainable development in community revitalization. Our research findings indicate that cultural identity is composed of cultural engagement, cultural belonging, and cultural integration. Conversely, community revitalization encompasses aspects of daily life, life experiences, personal economic evaluation, community industry development, and residents’ environmental awareness. The overall research framework demonstrates that cultural identity has a strong influence on community revitalization, identifying strategies to improve residents’ quality of life and foster vibrant communities.

1. Introduction

1.1. Research Motivation

Communities in Taiwan play a crucial role as essential foundations of the nation’s social fabric. According to Taiwan’s government statistics, there are 4232 rural community development associations, indicating that the Taiwanese population is part of a tightly knit community network where daily life is significantly influenced by the community environment. Therefore, it is vital to strengthen residents’ identification with their locality and encourage their active participation in community public affairs (Cao 2022). However, rapid urbanization has led to structural and qualitative changes in urban and community life (Bauman 2001). The most significant shifts include reduced interpersonal interactions, weakened community ties, and exacerbated social estrangement, which in turn diminishes the internal community consensus and hinders residents’ active engagement in public affairs.

In response to these challenges, Taiwan’s Executive Yuan approved the “National Strategic Plan for Local Revitalization,” which aims to address imbalanced local development, promote community cultural identity and quality of life, and ensure lasting community prosperity and social stability (Lee 2019). Hsu (2021) emphasized that national policies must align with the needs of society and communities, underscoring the importance of concepts such as community empowerment and intermediary organizations for further exploration.

The previous literature also suggests that cultural identity serves as the foundation for group identity and is a key factor in regional interactions. It positively influences individuals’ sense of belonging, values, behaviors, and norms, often leading to proactive decision making (Geertz 2017; Gollnick and Chinn 1998). These communities often share a common history, traditions, customs, and collective memories, often link to a specific geographical area (Jiang 1997). Lai (2017) noted a correlation between a culture and region, highlighting the unique characteristics that exist within the same social structure. Matsumoto and Juang (1996) further emphasized the psychological aspect of individuals becoming part of their distinct cultures, with cultural identity playing a critical role as it fulfills the universal need for belonging to a social group.

Traditional community studies have primarily focused on urban and rural settings, particularly the significance of rural communities. These studies often define these communities through strategies such as “revitalization” (Du 2013; Su 2023; W.-H. Chang 2022), “adaptive reuse,” “regional revitalization” (Lee 2019; J. Y. Chen 2021), “sustainable development” (Y.-F. Chang 2015; Y. J. Lin 2005), and “holistic construction” (Yu 2002; F.-J. Lin 2011; Y.-F. Chang 2015). However, research on how cultural identity influences residents’ participation in community revitalization remains insufficient.

Cultural identity refers to an individual’s emotional and symbolic connection to a specific region, a process that is gradually shaped through life and experiences. Compared to place dependence, place identity often takes longer to develop as it involves emotional investment and accumulated experiences (Loureiro 2014; Moore and Graefe 1994; Wu 2020; Hall 1990). As individuals work on shaping their cultural identity, their behaviors and decisions may shift due to participation in local activities.

Jiang (1997) categorized national identity into three levels: cultural identity, institutional identity, and ethnic identity. Cultural identity focuses on an individual’s recognition of and belonging to a specific cultural background, playing a vital role in regional interactions. It positively influences a sense of belonging, values, behaviors, and norms, motivating individuals to actively participate in community affairs and make pertinent decisions. Therefore, cultural identity represents not only the relationship between individuals and their cultural backgrounds, but also serves as a cornerstone for social and regional development (Geertz 2017; Gollnick and Chinn 1998).

This study aims to explore deeper into the impact of cultural identity on community revitalization, particularly examining residents’ perspectives on community development and revitalization.

As contemporary rural communities face decline and stagnant development, rekindling community spirit and promoting community development have become a critical issue for Taiwan’s rural communities. Through the “Rural Regeneration Program,” residents are positioned as the most crucial and direct participants in these efforts. This program emphasizes a comprehensive examination of community development (M. C. Chen 2012) and targets various goals, including agricultural production, preservation of historical culture, natural conservation, and improving residents’ quality of life. The program aims to move beyond a narrow focus on agricultural economics. Instead, it encourages rural residents to actively engage in environmental transformation, explore the unique cultural and ecological aspects of their areas, and create comfortable living environments. This highlights the enhancement of community identity as a primary development direction (Chang and Lin 2019).

Historically, the literature on community revitalization has been limited, with key indicators of community revitalization discussed mainly in social, economic, and environmental dimensions (Norris et al. 2022). Therefore, this study seeks to explore how community cultural identity and rural regeneration collectively promote community revitalization, providing a deeper understanding of the inter-relationship between community cultural identity and revitalization.

1.2. Research Objectives

The main goal of this study is to explore how community cultural identity and rural regeneration collectively promote community revitalization, providing an empirical foundation and critical reference for future community development and policy making. This study seeks to thoroughly investigate the relationship between community cultural identity and community revitalization.

The research objectives are as follows:

• To explore the relationship between community residents’ cultural identity and community revitalization.
• To examine the impact of cultural identity on the effectiveness of community revitalization across different stages of rural regeneration.

2. Literature Review

This study first explored the motivations behind rural revitalization in Taiwan. It aimed to understand the current development status and types of rural communities in the region based on the concept of rural revitalization. Secondly, this study sought to understand the concept and measurement methods of cultural identity. Finally, recognizing that community revitalization has not received sufficient academic attention in the existing literature, this study is the first to introduce the concept of community revitalization into academic discourse. It aims to provide a deeper understanding of community composition, the definition of revitalization, and measurement methods, thereby addressing theoretical gaps in the field.

2.1. Council of Agriculture, Soil, and Water Conservation Bureau’s Rural Regeneration Program

2.1.1. Definition of Rural Regeneration Program

The Rural Regeneration Program is a plan specifically designed for Taiwan’s rural communities. Enacted on 4 August 2010, it remains in effect today (Ministry of Agriculture 2013). According to Article 1 of the Rural Regeneration Act, the program aims to “promote the sustainable development and revitalization of rural areas, improve basic production conditions, protect rural ecology and culture, enhance quality of life, and build beautiful new rural villages” (Council of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation Bureau’s 2010).

The objectives of the Rural Regeneration Program include improving the overall rural environment, increasing the rural population, enhancing residents’ quality of life, creating job opportunities, and increasing residents’ income. Since the passage of the Rural Regeneration Act in 2010, government agencies have been committed to promoting various programs and development mechanisms that encourage cooperation between farmers and rural areas, all aimed at achieving sustainable rural development.

The focus areas include improving residents’ work environments, creating diversified industries in rural areas, protecting rural natural ecological resources, maintaining traditional historical and cultural practices, and enhancing the living conditions of residents, thereby improving the overall quality of life in these rural areas (Liu 2014).

The Rural Regeneration Program consists of two main phases: the Empowerment Program Phase and the Regeneration Program Phase, as detailed in

Table 1. Definition of the Rural Regeneration Program.

Empowerment Program Phase	Regeneration Program Phase
The objective is to train community residents in conducting meeting procedures, drafting community development plans, and improving their capacity to propose projects, hire labor, procure materials, or design activation activities independently.	Rural communities can follow the procedures outlined in the Rural Regeneration Act to implement a variety of project initiatives, including soil and water conservation and disaster prevention facilities, agricultural water infrastructure, and the development of unused spaces and cultural landscape recreational facilities, thereby achieving the goal of sustainable community development.

Source: Precautions for the Implementation of the Rural Regeneration Program (2023).

.

2.1.2. Promotion and Implementation of the Rural Regeneration Empowerment Program

According to the revised implementation guidelines of the Rural Regeneration Program (2023) issued by the Council of Agriculture, Soil, and Water Conservation Bureau, rural communities must complete rural regeneration training before they can formulate their regeneration plans, as stipulated in Article 30 of the “Rural Regeneration Act”. This training program encourages gradual community participation and is organized into four stages: “Care Class”, “Advanced Class”, “Core Class”, and “Regeneration Class.” Communities that participate in the rural regeneration program report a greater sense of community identity in relation to improvements in living spaces, production facilities, and the maintenance of rural ecology compared to those that do not participate (Chang and Lin 2019). The Empowerment Program emphasizes the exploration and protection of community resources. Through its enriched training courses, it significantly contributes to the revitalization of local communities.

Through these efforts, communities can design and implement distinctive rural community development plans while helping residents gain a deeper understanding of their community resources, identify local characteristics, create action plans, engage in ideological education, and establish core values for rural development. As a result, the selection criteria for the primary rural communities in this study required that these communities had successfully achieved the four core objectives and begun implementing relevant rural regeneration projects.

2.2. Cultural Identity

2.2.1. Definition of Cultural Identity

Culture encompasses the collective thoughts, values, perceptions, and experiences that people acquire through various activities. It shapes lifestyles and habits, influencing beliefs, social organization, technology, and the environment. Identity, on the other hand, is the process by which learned behaviors become internalized as personality traits. During this process, individuals form a subjective emotional attachment to the society, culture, traditions, and behavioral norms of their environment (Y.-C. Chiu 2021; Sahlaoui and Bouslam 2016; Parsons 1972). According to Weng and Chen (2000), identity is a dynamic process that evolves through the interaction of history, language, and cultural resources. It involves the concept of “becoming” and is based on an individual’s perception of whether they share a common origin or specific characteristics with other individuals, groups, ideologies, or cohesion (Du Gay and Hall 1996; Hall 1990).

Tang (2002) noted that the development of cultural identity not only affects an individual’s thoughts and behaviors, but also helps members of society maintain their identity with their ethnic culture. This process forms a cohesive foundation that allows group members to integrate into social networks, build collective strength, and ensure the group’s continued existence. The formation of cultural identity originates from individual participation in group activities, during which they become aware of shared historical traditions, values, customs, and collective memory. By engaging in and embracing the group’s common lifestyle, individuals develop a sense of belonging (Jiang 1997). Therefore, cultural identity is also a process of practicing collective memory, and its development is constructive in nature.

In summary, the development of cultural identity involves both individual and social levels, affecting behavior and shaping the existence of groups and ethnicities. It encompasses an individual’s emotional attachment to society, culture, and traditions, as well as a recognition of shared history, values, norms, and shared memories. The significance of this research lies in revealing the interactive relationship between individuals and society, and how culture shapes both individuals and social forms (Collier and Thomas 1988; Driedger 1975).

2.2.2. Measurement of Cultural Identity

This research explores “the influence of cultural development on group identity, specifically how the culture of an individual’s group helps define the self, the group, and the external world, distinguishing the boundaries between oneself and others.” According to (Y. Chiu 2018; Zhu 2011), the elements of cultural identity include cultural engagement, cultural belonging, and cultural integration.

• Cultural Engagement: This refers to an individual’s cognition and behavioral expression of the culture associated with their group. The individual should recognize themselves as belonging to a particular cultural group, understand its cultural components, such as language, social organization, history, and traditions, and engage in social participation and cultural practices within the group.
• Cultural Belonging: This highlights the emotional identity and attachment an individual feels towards their cultural group, emphasizing the emotional attachment to living symbiotically with the group. This is the emotional aspect of culture. After engaging with the group’s social activities, the individual develops a sense of belonging and emotional attachment to their own culture, which encompasses both internal and external aspects of group identity.
• Cultural Integration: This pertains to the strategies an individual employs when facing different cultural groups. It describes how individuals adapt and integrate their own minority culture with the dominant culture, allowing them to maintain their cultural identity while also adjusting to the broader societal culture.

2.3. Community Revitalization

2.3.1. Definition of Community Revitalization

Community revitalization, as described by Norris et al. (2022) and others, is a place-based process of community renewal aimed at enhancing the social, economic, and environmental structures of the community, strengthening its overall resilience and equity (Norris et al. 2022; Chion 2009). This approach emphasizes that community revitalization is not just a change on a single level, but is a comprehensive effort involving cooperation and inclusion at the social level, sustainable development at the economic level, and effective resource use at the environmental level.

As pointed out by Lu and Qian (2023), creative practices play a core role in restoring community autonomy and reshaping social structures, indicating that innovative initiatives can effectively promote the revitalization of local culture and community relationships. Chasco (2014) noted that communities often face chaotic physical environmental issues, such as poorly maintained areas and excessive abandoned buildings, which directly impact residents’ health and safety, thus threatening their overall quality of life. This demonstrates the connection between the local environment and the community. Furthermore, Easton and Van Laar (2012) argued that evaluating the economic aspects of a community should extend beyond simply focusing on economic growth figures, but more importantly, on how economic activities promote the overall well-being of community members. Collectively, the literature suggests that community revitalization should be approached comprehensively, taking into account social, environmental, and economic perspectives.

The National Development Council’s concept of community development aims to establish a community system that enables diverse resident groups to engage in the development affairs of the community. This involves continuous learning, addressing environmental conservation issues, local education, revitalizing local industries, and improving residents’ quality of life (C.-N. Chen 1999; Wernstedt and Hanson 2009; Hoff 1998). The idea that “community development is an organizational mobilization process for cultivating people and industries” aligns with this vision, meaning that revitalizing local cultural industries is used as a means to drive community development. In summary, community revitalization is a multi-faceted concept aimed at achieving comprehensive community development. To gain a deeper understanding of community revitalization, this study explores common strategies such as “revitalization,” “reutilization,” “local creation,” “sustainable development,” and “holistic development.”

2.3.2. Measurement of Community Revitalization

Based on the aforementioned definitions of “revitalization,” “reutilization,” “local creation,” “sustainable development,” and “holistic development,” relevant indicators of community revitalization are selected. These indicators primarily focus on areas such as living conditions, production, and ecology, and align with the goals of the Rural Regeneration Plan, which aims to improve living spaces, enhance production facilities, and maintain rural ecology. Communities that have participated in the Rural Regeneration Plan repot a higher level of community identity evaluation compared to those that have not (Chang and Lin 2019). The Incubation Project, which emphasizes courses related to community resource exploration and protection, significantly impacts community revitalization. A method for measuring community activation is presented in (

Table 2. Community activation measurement method.

Aspect		Explore Aspects and Definitions	Related Research and Literature
Living aspect or Social aspect	Individual social indicators	The personal status of long-term residents in the community, including factors such as living space, community relations, health status, policy support, and life satisfaction.	(Sőrés and Pető 2015; WHOQOL Group 1998; Fang and Chen 2013; Zhuo 1992; Li et al. 2014; Liao 2009)
	Community living experience	Residents make objective evaluations based on the overall condition of the community from aspects such as infrastructure, public safety, community participation, community support, and cultural protection.	(Sőrés and Pető 2015; Fang and Chen 2013; Zhuo 1992; Li et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2016; Komane 2005)
Production aspect or Economic aspect	Individual economic evaluation	Based on the economic status and willingness of community residents, this item evaluates their feelings about the project, including factors such as industrial income, industry expansion, and sustainable operations.	(Sőrés and Pető 2015; WHOQOL Group 1998; Liao 2009; Huang et al. 2016; Komane 2005)
	Community industrial development	Based on the residents’ perspectives on work opportunities, production facilities, product quality, production sales, and industry support, this item evaluates their feelings about the project.	(Sőrés and Pető 2015; Zhuo 1992; Li et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2016; Komane 2005)
Ecological aspect or Environmental aspect	Individual ecological awareness	Based on the residents’ living conditions, including living space, community relationships, health status, policy support, and life satisfaction, this item evaluates the degree of their feelings about the project.	(Sőrés and Pető 2015; Li et al. 2014; Huang et al. 2016; Komane 2005; Fang and Chen 2013)
	Community ecological environment	Based on the community situation, residents make evaluations on infrastructure, public safety, community participation, support, and cultural preservation to assess their feelings regarding the project.	(Sőrés and Pető 2015; WHOQOL Group 1998; Zhuo 1992; Li et al. 2014; Liao 2009; Komane 2005; Fang and Chen 2013)

).

3. Methodology

3.1. Research Framework and Hypotheses

This study aims to explore the inter-relationship between cultural identity and community revitalization. According to Qian and Lu (2022), community revitalization should involve creative practices that not only reshape a community’s physical and cultural landscape, but also restore its autonomy. Creative cultural activities, such as art and handicraft exhibitions, do more than just boost the local economy; they also play a significant role in preserving and transmitting cultural characteristics. This demonstrates the intrinsic connection between culture and community. Therefore, hypothesis H₁ is Cultural identity significantly predicts the extent of community revitalization (Figure 1).

3.2. Research Base and Subjects

This study uses the four stages of the rural regeneration program—“Care Class, Advanced Class, Core Class, and Regeneration Class”—as the research base to investigate the impact of the rural regeneration program on the quality of life of residents in Taiwanese rural communities. The research subjects include rural community residents, and the research variables cover multiple aspects such as life, production, and ecology. Additionally, relevant international community revitalization items are incorporated to enhance the richness and completeness of the questionnaire.

3.2.1. Survey Subjects and Sampling Method

The target population of this study consisted of residents aged 18 and above who have participated in community revitalization programs. The primary communities involved are Huanan Community (Figure 2) in the Gukeng Township, Yunlin (with 259 residents) and Chenggong Community in the Dadu District, Taichung City (with 1033 residents). Since a complete list of community residents could not be obtained, convenience sampling was employed to collect data on-site within the communities. The survey was conducted from August to October 2024.

3.2.2. Research Tools

This study utilized a self-completed schema-type form for data collection and adopted a five-point Likert scale (5-point Likert scale), namely strongly agree, agree, general, disagree, and strongly disagree. The survey is divided into two sections. The first section focuses on cultural satisfaction, using 14 questions derived from the cultural bookmark elements identified in Zhu’s (2011) research. The second section addresses community activities, incorporating topics related to the life, production, and ecological issues, as discussed by Fang and Chen (2013), along with necessary modifications. This section comprises a total of 21 questions.

3.2.3. Sample Size

According to Hair et al. (2019), the sample size for regression analysis should meet an “Overall Minimum Sample Size”. This concept is frequently discussed, noting that while there is no strict rule, it is generally recommended that the sample size for an empirical study should be at least 100 to 200 participants, even when the number of variables is small. Therefore, in this study, 250 questionnaires were distributed. After excluding invalid questionnaires, which included more than one-third of incomplete responses, a total of 222 valid questionnaires were obtained, resulting in a response rate of 88.8%.

3.2.4. Analysis Method

SPSS 26 (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) software was used to conduct the statistical analysis of survey data concerning community residents’ cultural identity and community revitalization. The collected questionnaires were coded and compiled, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Factor analysis, a method commonly used in the landscape/recreation field, was conducted using Principal Component Analysis for factor extraction and Varimax rotation for orthogonal factor simplification. Furthermore, regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between cultural identity and the effects of rural regeneration community revitalization. Based on the analytical findings, concrete strategies and recommendations were proposed.

4. Research Result

The respondents were predominantly female, with 115 females (51.8%) and 107 males (48.2%). The largest age group was between 50 and 59 years old, with 73 individuals (32.9%). Most respondents were married, comprising 182 individuals (82%). In terms of their occupation, most respondents were homemakers, accounting for 75 individuals (33.8%). The most common educational level was high school or vocational school, with 124 respondents (55.9%). Regarding income, 142 respondents (64%) reported an income of 30,000 NTD or less. The frequency of community activity participation showed that the majority (101 respondents, 45.5%) participated 1–3 times, while only 36 respondents (16.2%) participated in more than 10 activities.

4.1. Exploratory Factor Analysis

4.1.1. Exploratory Factor Analysis of Cultural Identity

This study referenced the research by (Zhu 2011) and summarized the cultural identity elements, including cultural engagement, cultural belonging, and cultural integration variables for measurement. A factor analysis was conducted using these 14 items to evaluate the construct validity. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) test was used to assess the adequacy of the sample, and Bartlett’s spherical test was performed to check for common variances among the values. The results indicated that the KMO value was 0.838, making it suitable for factor analysis (Zhu 2011).

After conducting the analysis, as shown in

Table 3. Analysis of cultural identity factors.

Cultural Identity	Element
	Cultural Engagement	Cultural Belonging	Cultural Integration
The community’s local culture should be introduced to everyone.	0.78	0.14	0.09
The community’s local culture should be respected.	0.77	0.21	0.01
The community’s local culture is precious and important.	0.70	0.31	0.01
The community’s local culture should be preserved and promoted.	0.68	0.20	0.20
I enjoy hearing other residents talk about past events in the community.	0.47	0.01	0.20
Participating in activities related to the community’s local culture is very important to me.	0.29	0.72	0.04
Learning the local culture of the community is very important to me.	0.19	0.67	0.11
I should make an effort to learn and understand the community’s local culture.	0.37	0.65	0.29
Understanding the community’s local culture will be helpful to me in the future.	0.23	0.61	0.32
Becoming familiar with the community’s local culture can help broaden my horizons.	0.32	0.58	−0.20
My relationship with the community’s local culture is close.	−0.09	0.52	0.28
I feel well-adjusted in relation to the community’s local culture.	0.21	0.07	0.80
The community’s local culture has many aspects worth learning, recognizing, and appreciating.	0.35	0.16	0.60
I am willing to learn the community’s traditional crafts or songs.	−0.12	0.46	0.56
Eigenvalue	4.98	1.54	1.12
Explained Variance	35.61	11.00	8.00
Cumulative Explained Variance	35.61	46.62	54.62
Cronbach’s alpha	0.78	0.76	0.55
Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) = 0.83

, the data were reduced, aiming to explain the maximum variance in the original data with the fewest factors. By examining the correlation coefficients between the variables, the relationship patterns in the data were identified. The analysis identified three factors, namely “Cultural Engagement,” “Cultural Belonging,” and “Cultural Integration,” as significant components. Based on the eigenvalue results, three factors with eigenvalues greater than one were extracted. The detailed results are as follows.

4.1.2. Exploratory Factor Analysis of Community Revitalization

This study, based on the perspectives of Chang and Lin (2019), thoroughly examines the impact of rural regeneration programs on the quality of life for rural community residents in Taiwan. It also integrates international community revitalization issues to enhance the completeness and diversity of the questionnaire design. The survey targets rural community residents, and the research variables cover multiple dimensions, including life, production, and ecology, to provide a comprehensive view of how rural regeneration programs affect various areas (Y.-C. Chang 2019).

In the research design, this study conducts exploratory factor analysis on 21 questionnaire indicators and employs the KMO (Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin) test to evaluate the sample suitability. The results show that the KMO value is 0.835, which meets the standard for conducting factor analysis.

Table 4. Analysis of community activation factors.

Community Revitalization	Element
	Aspects of Life	Life Experience	Personal Economic Evaluation	Community Industry Development	Residents’ Environmental Awareness
The products produced in our community are of excellent quality.	0.90	0.00	0.09	0.08	0.15
Our community industry has good sales channels.	0.87	0.11	0.04	−0.00	0.13
Our community has complete public production facilities.	0.86	0.00	0.14	0.20	0.03
Our community can provide sufficient job opportunities.	0.79	0.15	0.07	0.02	0.22
Our community often receives assistance from farmer groups in production.	0.67	−0.08	−0.10	0.49	0.02
When I face difficulties, relatives, friends, or neighbors are willing to help me.	0.15	0.75	0.27	0.09	−0.05
There is enough living space in the community where I live.	0.04	0.72	−0.10	0.07	0.03
When I encounter difficulties in life, I can smoothly receive help from the community.	0.04	0.70	0.43	−0.10	−0.03
I believe environmental protection is very important for the community.	−0.06	0.56	0.28	0.05	0.04
I am willing to invest time and effort in participating seriously in community waste recycling and supporting environmental protection.	0.00	0.55	0.12	0.46	0.04
The community provides activities for exercise, entertainment, or relaxation.	0.04	0.51	0.22	0.04	0.01
The community’s public affairs operations are good.	−0.00	0.21	0.75	0.21	0.08
The community has good security conditions.	0.05	0.29	0.70	0.06	−0.02
We frequently participate in various activities organized by community organizations.	0.13	0.17	0.66	0.23	0.01
My current life is quite close to my ideal community life.	0.05	0.31	0.60	−0.06	0.31
Our community can provide sufficient living functions.	0.25	−0.10	0.42	0.41	−0.23
I frequently participate in community ecological and environmental protection lectures/workshops.	0.01	0.05	0.18	0.70	0.04
When purchasing daily necessities, I prioritize products with environmental protection labels to protect the community environment.	0.07	0.30	0.05	0.70	0.10
The historical and cultural heritage of our community is well preserved.	0.24	−0.01	0.10	0.60	0.11
I often hear the sound of insects and birds in the community.	0.16	0.02	0.10	0.15	0.83
I often see wildlife in the community.	0.40	−0.05	0.03	0.07	0.71
Eigenvalue	5.53	3.40	1.60	1.23	1.16
Explained Variance	26.37	16.21	7.65	5.89	5.54
Cumulative Explained Variance	26.37	42.41	50.24	56.13	61.68
Cronbach’s alpha	0.91	0.63	0.58	0.70	0.64
Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) statistic = 0.81

shows the analysis results of the community activation factors.

4.1.3. Regression Analysis of Cultural Identity on Community Revitalization

This study primarily investigates the impact of cultural identity on the effectiveness of rural regeneration and community revitalization. Multiple regression analysis is performed using stepwise regression, and standardized regression coefficients (β) are used to compare the strength of relationships between significant dimensions and items. The adjusted R² is used to estimate the explanatory power of independent variables on the dependent variable.

Through regression analysis, where the dependent variable (Y) is cultural identity and the independent variable (X) is community revitalization, the results show that the adjusted R² is 0.277. This indicates that cultural identity explains 27.7% of the variation in community revitalization identity. The F-value is 827.844 and the p-value is ≤ 0.001, which is statistically significant. Therefore, based on the research of hypothesis H₁, the cultural identity of community residents has a significant impact on community revitalization, and the empirical results support this hypothesis, as shown in

Table 5. Regression analysis table of cultural identity on community revitalization.

	Estimated Value of B	Standardized Coefficient	t
constant	2.732		17.455 ***
community revitalization	0.427	0.526	10.170 ***
R2 = 0.277, Adjusted R2 = 0.274, F (1243) = 103.420 ***

Note: *** p ≤ 0.001.

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5. Conclusions

This study examines the impact of rural regeneration plans on the quality of life of residents in Taiwanese rural communities, particularly in the Taichung and Yunlin regions. The research explores the relationship between cultural identity and community revitalization, assessing how cultural identity influences the effectiveness of regeneration at various stages.

The results indicate that residents in these areas hold a positive view of cultural identity. This finding aligns with previous research, showing that when residents’ cultural identity is consistent with their community, they experience a more positive influence from their environment, thereby promoting the comprehensive development of the community. As Hutnik (1991) highlights, this research underscores the profound impact of cultural identity on group behavior and social interaction. By participation in cultural activities, residents not only gain a deeper understanding of local culture, but also foster internal cohesion and a sense of collective engagement within the community.

This study also indicated that community revitalization significantly improves residents’ quality of life, contributing to the benefits of sustainable community development. This finding aligns with previous research, such as De Vos et al. (2016), who noted that good community infrastructure and rich community activities are crucial for enhancing residents’ life satisfaction. Furthermore, community cultural identity greatly influences the extent of community revitalization. As Norris et al. (2022) proposed, cultural identity reshapes the community’s cultural essence, allowing residents from different backgrounds to collectively participate in community building, thus fostering community cohesion and promoting long-term sustainable development. Overall, this study emphasizes that cultural identity is a vital factor in promoting rural development during the community revitalization process.

This study recommends that future rural regeneration efforts focus on cultural engagement, enhancing residents’ understanding of local cultural values, and promoting integration in multicultural environments. These strategies can improve the quality of life and community satisfaction, contributing to sustainable development.

Incorporating cultural identity into rural regeneration planning has been a relatively underexplored area. This study aims to bridge this gap by identifying factors that significantly influence rural regeneration and providing guidance for future projects. Through a survey-based analysis, this study highlights the benefits of revitalization and offers insights for refining plans to achieve a greater impact.

Practical strategies proposed include promoting cultural identity through cultural and historical activities, supporting the preservation of local traditions, and utilizing digital technology to modernize cultural heritage. Community engagement can be fostered through the establishment of cultural committees and providing resources for cultural activities. Multicultural harmony can be achieved by creating cross-cultural exchange platforms and introducing multicultural education.

Furthermore, revitalizing local economies by leveraging natural and cultural resources, improving infrastructure, and enhancing public spaces will lead to a better quality of life. Sustainable development, supported by ecological conservation and green infrastructure, is essential for long-term success. Collaboration across sectors—government, academia, nonprofits, and residents—will be crucial to achieving these goals.

The operational challenges encountered in this study stemmed from the fact that community residents were generally older and had a limited understanding of community development. To address this, the community development association assisted in conducting the survey, which helped achieve the required sample size. For future research, it is suggested that more variables be introduced to strengthen the concept of community revitalization, such as place attachment. Alternatively, structural equation modeling could be utilized to verify the stability of cultural identity and community revitalization.