Driving logic and configurational pathways for the integration of water engineering and water culture

Against the backdrop of China's ecological civilization agenda and the pursuit of high-quality development in the water sector, the integration of water engineering and water culture has become an increasingly important issue. This study adopts a mixed qualitative strategy combining grounded theory and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). Through open, axial, and selective coding of policy documents and case materials, it develops a progressive logical framework comprising “cultural gene decoding-cultural translation mechanisms-value symbiosis objectives.” Building on this framework, a configurational analysis of 77 cases identifies three pathways to highly effective integration: historical revitalization through closed-loop regeneration, historical revitalization through authentic preservation, and comprehensive utilization through value symbiosis. The first pathway relies on the conversion of cultural capital to establish an economically sustainable closed loop that supports the continued use of water heritage, representing a typical model for integrating culture into traditional water engineering. The second employs low-intensity symbolic interventions under geographical and ecological constraints, emphasizing institutional continuity and the preservation of authenticity, and thus offers a useful reference for water projects in ecologically sensitive areas. The third coordinates policy responsiveness, cultural decoding, and market feedback to generate synergistic ecological, economic, and social value, making it particularly applicable to strategic water projects and comprehensive water-governance initiatives.