Sustainable Development Strategies for National Intangible Cultural Heritage Bases: A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats–Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach to the Qingshen Bamboo Weaving Base

Bamboo weaving, as a unique form of natural resource utilization and cultural exploration, is intricately linked to the livelihoods of millions worldwide. Qingshen bamboo weaving, recognized as national intangible cultural heritage in China, is the sole bamboo weaving–themed base among the latest batch of 99 national productive protection demonstration bases. This study employs a hybrid SWOT–AHP framework to empirically analyze the sustainable development pathway of the Qingshen Bamboo Weaving Base, identifying 18 key factors and calculating their relative importance through hierarchical judgment matrices. The findings reveal three primary conclusions. First, the base exhibits a predominant Strength-Opportunity (SO) strategic orientation: internal strengths (S' = 1.0012) and external opportunities (O' = 0.9530) substantially outweigh weaknesses (W' = −0.4859) and threats (T' = −0.5112), with strategic centroid P.(0.1288, 0.1105) situated in the first quadrant ((oid P(0.1288, 0.1105)) favorable window for growth-oriented strategy. Second, critical success factors exhibit significant divergence: national policy support (O1) and strategic educational partnerships (O3) emerge as paramount external drivers, while local employment enhancement and rural revitalization (S3) constitute the most significant internal strength; conversely, inadequate product design capabilities (W4) and intensified market competition (T2) represent pressing constraints, revealing a systemic deficiency in translating cultural heritage into market competitiveness. Third, sustainable development necessitates a multidimensional integrated approach—a strategic transition from a resource-dependent model toward a design-driven, brand-oriented industrial ecosystem that synergizes policy support, design innovation, digital empowerment, and community engagement. This study provides valuable insights for preserving and sustainably developing intangible cultural heritage, offering a replicable analytical framework for similar cultural heritage bases worldwide.

Cite this article as: Su, L., Jiang, Y., Wang, Q., Zhu, L., Zhao, C., Xia, E., & Li, G. (2026). Sustainable development strategies for national intangible cultural heritage bases: A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats–analytical hierarchy process approach to the Qingshen bamboo weaving base. Forestist, 76, 0164, doi: 10.5152/forestist.2026.25164.