Local Creatogenesis: The Construction Logic and Realization Path of the "Rural Maker Ecosystem" Driven by New Farmers

A Case Study of Foshan

Abstract

The key to activating the endogenous dynamics of rural revitalization lies in the synergy between "nurturing people" and "cultivating the environment." As "Rural Makers" who possess both "locality" and "innovation," New Farmers are the core active agents promoting rural industrial upgrading and value reconstruction. However, individualized "Makers" face an "ecological niche" dilemma characterized by high risks, high costs, and high isolation. Based on "Local Creatogenesis" theory and innovation ecosystem theory, this paper proposes an analytical framework for the "Rural Maker Ecosystem" to solve the current problem of "seeing the people but not the environment" in rural talent cultivation. Using a methodology that combines theoretical analysis and qualitative case studies, this research takes the highly urban-rural integrated city of Foshan as a practical sample to deeply analyze the value core and construction logic of the "Rural Maker Ecosystem." The study argues that the construction logic of this ecosystem is embodied in the multi-dimensional co-construction and coupling of three dimensions driven by New Farmers: space, industry, and culture. In terms of spatial logic, it achieves the activation from "idle resources" to an "innovative field." In terms of industrial logic, it achieves the reconstruction from "singular production" to "cross-boundary integration." In terms of cultural logic, it achieves the sublimation from "traditional replication" to "value recreation." On this basis, the study further refines three major realization paths for creating this ecosystem in Foshan's practice: a policy path centered on "systemic empowerment," a digital path characterized by "platform-based co-construction," and a social path based on "community-building." This study aims to demonstrate that constructing a "Maker Ecosystem" that supports "local creatogenesis" is a long-term mechanism for achieving synchronized resonance between the individual growth of New Farmers and the systemic revitalization of the countryside.