Identity formation through cultural expression: Exploring Chinese spaces of ethnic consumption in Sydney, Australia

Abstract
Globalisation has driven the emergence of suburban ethnic enclaves, where immigrant identity is actively shaped by both cultural tradition and contemporary market demands. This paper explores Hurstville, Sydney's largest Chinese ethnoburb, to illustrate how commercial spaces function as vital arenas for identity formation among Chinese immigrants. Drawing on a mixed‐methods design that integrates urban spatial analysis, field observations, and semi‐structured interviews with 40 business owners and 15 consumers, the study reveals the multifaceted ways in which bilingual signage, symbolic décor, and digital practices like WeChat Pay and Taobao transactions reflect and reinforce cultural ties. Entrepreneurial strategies—ranging from place‐specific naming to the use of neon façades—demonstrate how material expressions of identity coexist with intangible, transnational links that connect Australia to China. While these practices foster a sense of belonging and nostalgic resonance, they also provoke debates over cultural authenticity and potential stereotyping. By situating Hurstville within broader discussions on ethnoburbs and ethnic consumption, the paper demonstrates how local businesses negotiate tradition and modernity, economic aspirations, and social integration. The findings highlight the role of suburban commercial spaces in shaping immigrant identity, offering insights for policy‐makers, urban planners, and scholars interested in the evolving dynamics of multicultural urban life.