Evolution and Current Status of the Industrialized Rural Housing Construction Systems in the Loess Plateau

CHEN Huizhen; LI Yueyan; CHEN Jing

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0232.2025.04.005

Abstract：From the perspective of rural revitalization,rural housing construction has become a crucial component of modernisation efforts.This is particularly evident in the Loess Plateau region,where traditional construction methods fail to meet contemporary demands.Therefore,it is necessary to adopt industrialized construction models.However,the industrialisation of rural housing is still challenged by high construction costs,insufficient technological adaptability,and uneven policy support.By examining the evolution of industrialized rural housing construction modes in the Loess Plateau,the advantages and limitations of current construction approaches were analyzed,and their development trends were summarized.Some optimisation strategies were proposed,which act as important references and theoretical bases for the modernisation of rural housing construction.Based on literature analysis,data statistics,and field surveys,the development process of rural housing industrialisation in the Loess Plateau was reviewed firstly through policy documents and relevant academic literature.Features of different development stages were summarized.Secondly,a field survey was carried out in 14 prefecture-level cities,43 counties,and 134 administrative villages based on statistical data on rural housing construction in the area.The effects of the administrative location,geographical environment,and construction mode on the industrialisation process were analyzed.Furthermore,the applications of building industrialisation in rural housing construction were investigated.Finally,the evolution and current state of rural housing industrialized construction systems in the region were reviewed systematically from the perspectives of the organisation system,design methodology,construction technique,and structural components.A development route in accordance with the practical scenario of the region was proposed.According to the results,rural housing construction in the Loess Plateau follows the"semi-industrialized"model,that is,the transition stage from traditional manual construction to industrialized construction.Under this mode,the organisation system,architectural design,and construction technology all present characteristics of industrialisation and localization.Although light steel structures,prefabricated components,and other new materials and technologies have been gradually introduced,rural housing construction in the region remains largely reliant on on-site construction,with a low degree of standardization.Furthermore,the rural housing construction mode has evolved from traditional self-built structures to a diversified participating mode incorporating self-construction by villagers,government-led housing projects,and experimental rural construction tests dominated by social elites.The coordination of government agencies,private enterprises,and social organizations has played an increasingly significant role in this transformation.However,the results demonstrate that there are still great challenges in terms of policy support,financial investment,and technological adaptation.In particular,industrialized products emphasize standards excessively,which fail to match environmental conditions,traditional construction systems,and residents'needs in the Loess Plateau.Furthermore,it is difficult to meet the individual and regional needs of rural buildings.In addition,no complete full industrial chain system has been formed for rural housing industrialized construction in the region,lacking a systematic framework covering design,production,construction,operation,and maintenance.This affects the construction efficiency and quality.In the future,rural housing industrialized construction development in Loess Plateau should focus on the following aspects:(1)optimizing rural housing systematic design and improving the standardisation and modularisation level of buildings.(2)Increasing the regional adaptation of new building materials and prefabricated components,and formulating appropriate technical routes by combining with local climate conditions and traditional construction technology.(3)Perfecting the policy support system,lowering industrialized construction costs,and increasing the economic affordability for residents.(4)Strengthening cooperation in the entire industrial chain,and establishing a complete standard system covering design,production,construction,operation,and maintenance.