Clan-Cultural Influences on Spatial Organization in Lingnan Traditional Villages: A Case Study of Chengyanggang, Chaoshan

Abstract

In traditional Lingnan villages, ancestral halls commonly serve as spatial centers, with residences and streets organized around clan relationships. However, the mechanisms underlying this spatial configuration remain insufficiently explained. Taking Chengyanggang Village as a case study, this paper investigates the relationship between clan culture and village space through literature review, field investigation, semi‑structured interviews, and spatial hierarchy analysis. The study examines ancestral halls, street networks, residential clusters, and domestic spaces at multiple scales. The findings indicate that the village’s spatial structure was shaped not only by environmental conditions and construction techniques but also by the long‑term influence of the clan system. Specifically, clan hierarchy and kinship ties informed residential distribution; ancestral halls functioned as centers of public activity; and the proliferation of clan branches drove village expansion along existing street networks. This paper demonstrates how clan relationships and everyday practices jointly shaped the spatial organization of Lingnan traditional villages, contributing a culturally grounded perspective to the understanding of settlement morphology in the region.