He Wei, vice professor of the Architecture Department in the Central Academy of Fine Art, pointed out the importance of architecture design and the participation of locals in protecting traditional villages.

He Wei, vice professor of the Architecture Department in the Central Academy of Fine Art[Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Due to lack of architectural design, architecture in the villages has become directionless. The old buildings are considered outdated, yet the new ones are blind copies of the city style. As a result, the traditional villages are growing more and more unlike villages, yet they are not like cities either. They become neither here nor there,"He said, "locals should not be excluded in the development of villages. Instead, local villagers should be encouraged to participate in, or even lead, the protection and transformation of their hometown."