Bricolage and proximity tourism in regional revitalization: cultural asset regeneration at Taiwan’s Yuejin Lantern Festival

What the paper says

Purpose This study aims to examine how bricolage and proximity tourism intersect to advance regional revitalization through cultural asset regeneration. Focusing on the Yuejin Lantern Festival (YLF) in Tainan, Taiwan, it explores how local actors mobilize heritage, creativity and limited resources to stimulate economic and social renewal. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study design integrates document analysis, semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Drawing on bricolage theory, the study develops a Discovery–Evaluation–Exploitation (D–E–E) cycle that captures how grassroots actors continually recombine tangible and intangible resources over time. The model is contrasted with Taiwan’s Five Arrows policy, highlighting distinctions between community-driven temporal processes and concurrent state strategies. Findings Findings show that bricolage enables adaptive reuse of abandoned docks, canals, warehouses and historic sites, alongside reinterpretations of intangible heritage such as the Yuejin Eight Views. These practices not only activate underutilized spaces but also strengthen community participation and place identity. Proximity tourism emerges as a critical driver: by attracting primarily domestic and regional visitors, YLF mitigates overtourism while fostering sustainable cultural experiences rooted in local identity. Practical implications The study contributes conceptually by linking bricolage with proximity tourism as mechanisms for bottom-up revitalization. Practically, it offers a transferable framework for policymakers and community leaders seeking to balance heritage preservation, participatory governance and innovative regional development. Originality/value By highlighting grassroots creativity and adaptive governance, the research underscores the role of proximity tourism as a catalyst for bottom-up revitalization.