Search Results (127)

Xiaochikan Village, located in Guangdong Province in South China, is one of the few remaining traditional rammed earth dwellings of the Cantonese ethnic group in the Lingnan region. However, the influence of Zhuhai’s subtropical maritime monsoon climate has led to continuous physical and chemical erosion of the rammed earth walls. For example, cracking occurs due to high temperatures and heavy rain, accelerated weathering occurs due to salt spray deposition, and biological erosion occurs due to high humidity and high temperatures. Therefore, two experimental analysis techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), were used to explore the structural anti-erosion mechanism of the ancient, rammed earth buildings in Xiaochikan Village. The results show that (1) the morphological characteristics of the east and west walls of the rammed earth dwellings in Xiaochikan Village are more similar. The particles on the east wall are regular spherical or polygonal, small, and evenly distributed, while the particles on the west wall are mainly spherical and elliptical, with consistent size and less agglomeration. The surfaces of the particles on both walls are relatively smooth and flat. (2) The core element bases of the four wall samples are consistent, with C, Si, Al, Ca, and Fe as the core, accounting for more than 93%, reflecting the base characteristics of the local alluvial soil “silicate skeleton–carbonate cementation–organic matter residue” and reflecting the “local material” attribute of rammed earth. Except for the south wall sample, the Cl content of the remaining samples exceeds 1%. In the thermal map, Cl shows “pore/interstitial enrichment”, which confirms that the salinization process of marine aerosols with rainwater infiltration and evaporation residue is a common influence of marine climate. (3) The rammed earth walls in Xiaochikan Village consist of three main minerals: Quartz (SiO₂, including alpha-type SiO₂), Calcite (CaCO₃, including synthetic calcite), and Gibbsite (Al(OH)₃). Full article

Yangjiatang Village traces its origins to the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It has evolved over more than 400 years of history. There are 78 rammed-earth buildings left, making it one of the most complete and largest rammed-earth building complexes in East China. This study investigated the traditional rammed-earth houses in Yangjiatang Village, Songyang County, Zhejiang Province. By combining field investigation, microscopic characterization, and experimental simulation, we systematically revealed the erosion resistance of rammed earth in a subtropical humid climate was systematically revealed. Using a combination of advanced techniques including drone aerial photography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), microbial community analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and soil leaching simulations, we systematically revealed the anti-erosion mechanisms of rammed-earth surfaces in Yangjiatang Village. The study found that (1) rammed-earth walls are primarily composed of Quartz, Mullite, lepidocrocite, and Nontronite, with quartz and lepidocrocite being the dominant minerals across all orientations. (2) Regulating the community structure of specific functional microorganisms enhanced the erosion resistance of rammed-earth buildings. (3) The surface degradation of rammed-earth walls is mainly caused by four factors: structural cracks, surface erosion, biological erosion and roof damage. These factors work together to cause surface cracking and peeling (depth up to 3–5 cm). (4) This study indicates that the microbial communities in rammed-earth building walls show significant differences in various orientations. Microorganisms play a dual role in the preservation and deterioration of rammed-earth buildings: they can slow down weathering by forming protective biofilms or accelerating erosion through acid production. Full article

China and Italy, both ancient civilizations, have numerous traditional villages that bear witness to history and support the transmission of cultural heritage. However, these villages face challenges such as homogenized development, population outflow, and disruptions in cultural continuity. While both Chinese and Italian traditional villages have received considerable scholarly attention, their comparative study remains relatively limited, leaving the transferability of respective solutions across different legal, heritage and planning contexts to be fully explored. This study aims to adapt and transfer Italy’s contiguous protection, integrated operation, national park designation, and community partnership policies to China in order to establish a comprehensive mechanism for preservation and revitalization of traditional villages. A cross-case study of Cinque Terre (Italy) and Jiande (China), incorporating on-site mapping, governance analysis, and interviews, reveals that Italy’s integrated community-based approach markedly outperforms China’s fragmented state-led model in sustaining population, culture and tourism quality. These findings provide a globally replicable paradigm for traditional village preservation. Full article

At present, industrial heritage preservation in China often focuses on individual industrial buildings, lacking a holistic consideration of industrial settlements (e.g., industrial cities, towns, and villages). This study draws upon the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) approach to construct a research framework that applies to industrial settlements, considering both integrity and layering. Taking the case of Tongguan Ancient Town—a typical industrial settlement—this study uses the integrated approach of historical materials acquisition, oral interview, and field investigation to review the interactive evolution of industry and space across three historical periods. It identifies a comprehensive set of heritage elements within the Tongguan industrial settlement and proposes a preservation framework for its industrial heritage. The key findings are threefold: industrial settlement heritage possesses characteristics of integrity and layering; the HUL approach can be effectively applied to industrial settlement studies; and the protection of industrial settlements is a crucial step toward establishing a complete system for the inheritance and preservation of China’s urban and rural historical and cultural heritage. Full article

This study integrates EEG technology with the VIKOR-GRA model to construct a quantitative method for assessing emotional responses to rural landscapes. Taking 94 scenes from Xiedian Ancient Village in Macheng City, Hubei Province, as the research objects, arousal (Arousal) and valence (Valence) were calculated based on the power ratio of α and β frequency bands. The entropy weight method was employed to determine weights and compute group utility value (S), individual regret value (R), and compromise solution (Q). The results indicate that 16 scenes had Q values > 0.75 (Grade IV), reflecting poor emotional experiences, with significantly lower arousal (−2.15 ± 0.38) and valence (−0.87 ± 1.02). Vegetation morphology and water visibility were identified as the primary limiting factors, while graphic symbols and historical culture exhibited strong positive feedback. Optimization strategies are proposed, providing a quantifiable technical pathway for the renewal of rural heritage landscapes. Full article

The Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC highlights that global surface temperatures have risen by 1.1 °C above pre-industrial levels, with a marked increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events in hot–humid regions. Buildings in these areas urgently require passive design strategies to enhance climate adaptability. Employing Zhupu Ancient Village in Chaoshan region in China as an example, this study analyzes and evaluates the wind-driven ventilation archetype and buoyancy-driven ventilation archetype of the village through integrated meteorological data analysis (ECMWF) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The results indicate that the traditional climate-adaptive archetype facilitates wind speeds exceeding 0.5 m/s in over 80% of outdoor areas, achieving unobstructed airflow and a discernible stack ventilation effect. Through archetype translation, the visitor center design incorporates open alleyway systems and water-evaporative cooling strategies, demonstrating that over 80% of outdoor areas attain wind speeds of 0.5 m/s during summer, thereby achieving enhanced ventilation performance. The research provides a climate-response-archetype translation-performance validation framework and practical case studies for climate-adaptive design of public buildings in hot–humid regions. Full article

As a cultural corridor connecting the Central Plains and Northeast China, the Liaoxi Corridor has a special position in the transmission of traditional Chinese culture. Traditional villages in the region have preserved rich intangible cultural heritage and traditional architectural features, which highlight the historical heritage of multicultural intermingling. This study fills the gap in the spatial distribution of traditional villages in the Liaoxi Corridor and reveals their spatial distribution pattern, which is of great theoretical significance. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis and quantitative geography, this study analyzes the spatial pattern of traditional villages and the influencing factors. The results show that traditional villages in the Liaoxi Corridor are clustered, forming high-density settlement areas in Chaoyang County and Beizhen City. Most villages are located in hilly and mountainous areas and river valleys and are affected by the natural geographic environment (topography and water sources) and historical and human factors (immigration and settlement, border defense, ethnic integration, etc.). In conclusion, this study provides a scientific basis and practical reference for rural revitalization, cultural heritage protection, and regional coordinated development, aiming at revealing the geographical and cultural mechanisms behind the spatial distribution of traditional villages. Full article

As an integral component of humanity’s cultural heritage, traditional villages universally confront challenges such as population loss and cultural discontinuity amid rapid urbanization. Cluster-based protection models have increasingly become the international consensus for addressing the survival crisis of such settlements. This study selects the Central Yunnan region of Southwest China—characterized by its complex geography and multi-ethnic habitation—as the research area. Employing ArcGIS spatial analysis techniques alongside clustering algorithms, we examine the spatial distribution characteristics and clustering patterns of 251 traditional villages within this region. The findings are as follows. In terms of spatial distribution, traditional villages in Central Yunnan are unevenly dispersed, predominantly aggregating on mid-elevation gentle slopes; their locations are chiefly influenced by rivers and historical courier routes, albeit with only indirect dependence on waterways. Regarding single-cluster attributes, the spatial and geomorphological features exhibit a composite “band-and-group” pattern shaped by river valleys; culturally, two dominant modes emerge—“ancient-route-dependent” and “ethnic-symbiosis”—reflecting an economy-driven cultural mechanism alongside latent marginalization risks. Concerning construction characteristics, the “Qionglong-Ganlan” and Han-style “One-seal” residential features stand out, illustrating both adaptation to mountainous environments and the cumulative effects of historical culture. Based on these insights, we propose a three-tiered clustering classification framework—“comprehensive-element coordination”, “feature-led”, and “potential-cultivation”—to inform the development of contiguous and typological protection strategies for traditional villages in highland, multi-ethnic regions. Full article

Traditional villages are irreplaceable cultural heritages, embodying complex human–environment interactions. This study uses historical geography analysis, kernel density estimation, centroid migration modeling, and Geodetector techniques to analyze the 2000-year spatiotemporal evolution and formation mechanisms of 224 nationally designated traditional villages in China’s Qinling-Daba Mountains. The findings are as follows: (1) These villages significantly cluster on sunny slopes of hills and low mountains with moderate gradients. They are also closely located near waterways, ancient roads, and historic cities. (2) From the embryonic stage during the Qin and Han dynasties, through the diffusion and transformation phases in the Wei, Jin, Song, and Yuan dynasties, to the mature stage in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the spatial center of these villages shifted distinctly southwestward. This migration was accompanied by expansion along waterway transport corridors, an enlarged spatial scope, and a decrease in directional concentration. (3) The driving forces evolved from a strong coupling between natural conditions and infrastructure in the early stage to human-dominated adaptation in the later stage. Agricultural innovations, such as terraced fields, and sociopolitical factors, like migration policies, overcame environmental constraints through the synergistic effects of cultural and economic networks. Full article

The “hand-waving sacrifice” is a large-scale sacrificial ceremony with more than 2000 years of history. It was passed down from ancient times by the Tujia ethnic group living in the Wuling Corridor of China, and it integrates religion, sacrifice, dance, drama, and other cultural forms. It primarily consists of two parts: ritual content (inviting gods, offering sacrifices to gods, dancing a hand-waving dance, etc.) and the architectural space that hosts the ritual (hand-waving hall), which together constitute Tujia’s most sacred ritual space and the most representative art and culture symbol. Nonetheless, in existing studies, the hand-waving sacrifice ritual, hand-waving hall architectural space, and hand-waving dance art are often separated as independent research objects, and little attention is paid to the coupling mechanism of the mutual construction of space and ritual in the process of historical development. Moreover, with the acceleration of modernization, the current survival context of the hand-waving sacrifice has undergone drastic changes. On the one hand, the intangible cultural heritage protection policy and the wave of tourism development have pushed it into the public eye and the cultural consumption system. On the other hand, the changes in the social structure of traditional villages have led to the dissolution of the sacredness of ritual space. Therefore, using the interaction of “space-ritual” as a prompt, this research first uses GIS technology to visualize the spatial geographical distribution characteristics and diachronic evolution process of hand-waving halls in six historical periods and then specifically analyzes the sacred construction of hand-waving hall architecture for the hand-waving sacrifice ritual space throughout history, as well as the changing mechanism of the continuous secularization of the hand-waving sacrifice space in contemporary society. Overall, this study reveals a unique path for non-literate ethnic groups to achieve the intergenerational transmission of cultural memory through the collusion of material symbols and physical art practices, as well as the possibility of embedding the hand-waving sacrifice ritual into contemporary spatial practice through symbolic translation and functional extension in the context of social function inheritance and variation. Finally, this study has specific inspirational and reference value for exploring how the traditional culture and art of ethnic minorities can maintain resilience against the tide of modernization. Full article

The site of Nabi Yaqin preserves an ancient tradition of Abraham’s prayer over Sodom. The landscape that stretches from the ridge of Nabi Yaqin facing east to the Dead Sea and the Jordan River serves as the backdrop for the formation of this tradition. In this paper, we will show that the tradition regarding Abraham’s prayer apparently began during the Byzantine period as indicated by the writings of Egeria and St. Jerome. Although the exact location they identify cannot be determined from the sources, it seems that the region of Bani Na’im and Nabi Yaqin should be regarded as one space connected to the story of the destruction of Sodom. During the Middle Ages under Muslim rule Nabi Yaqin area became associated with Abraham’s prayer and a hollow in the ground at that location was marked as the place of his prayer. At a later stage, towards the end of the 17th century, two footprints were added to that socket. During the 18th and 19th centuries, an additional pair of footprints was added, which marked Lot’s prayer outside the compound. In Bani Na’im the neighboring village the burial place of the prophet Lot was identified. In fact, both sites are extensions of the story of the destruction of Sodom, with the former associated with its beginning and the latter with its end. We proposed that the process leading to these identifications was influenced by a site overlooking Lot’s Sea and Lot’s Cave, and the site itself became the burial place of Lot and the prayer site of Abraham. Full article

Ancient fairs in China were designated as commercial zones with fixed stalls that had emerged from commodity exchange demands and socio-cultural factors such as clan systems and gentry intervention, exhibiting dual commercial–communal characteristics. Several ancient fairs in Shenzhen have been retained, including Gongming Ancient Fair, which maintains its original spatial configuration adjacent to industrial zones and urban villages, attracting a high concentration of migrant workers. Survey results show that 85% of Gongming residents demand public space renovations, citing inadequacy of the spaces to support public activities. Given the intrinsic link between public spaces and public activities, fostering their positive interaction is crucial for enhancing urban vitality. However, existing studies predominantly focus on the physical environment and neglect activity-driven optimization perspectives. This study first employed social network analysis (SNA) to construct two networks of Gongming Ancient Fair, using the software Ucinet 6.755, including a public space network based on spatial connectivity and a public activity network based on pedestrian flow. Second, the networks’ structural characteristics were analyzed using seven metrics: node degree, density, betweenness centrality, betweenness centralization, clustering coefficient, average path length, and small-world property. Discrepancies between the networks were quantified through betweenness centrality comparisons, with field surveys and interviews identifying causal factors including seasonal product limitations, spatial constraints, inadequate supporting facilities, and substandard management. Based on the survey data and analytical results, the key renovation nodes were categorized into three types: high-control-capacity nodes, high-expectation nodes, and culturally distinctive nodes. Finally, three optimization strategies are proposed. This study integrates sociological perspectives into ancient fair revitalization, addressing gaps in activity-driven spatial research. Full article

A typical county for traditional village conservation in China is Songyang County. It is renowned for its ancient rammed earth dwellings, which exhibit a unique microclimate and possess significant historical value. However, high precipitation and acid rain under the subtropical monsoon climate have caused severe surface erosion, including cracking and spalling. This study focuses on traditional rammed earth dwellings in Chenjiapeng Village, Songyang County, combining field surveys, experimental analysis, and microscopic characterization to systematically investigate erosion mechanisms and protection strategies. Techniques, such as drone aerial photography, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and microbial diversity detection, were employed to elucidate the anti-erosion mechanisms of gray–green biological crusts on rammed earth surfaces. The results indicate that algal crusts enhance surface compressive strength and shear resistance through macroscopic coverage (reducing raindrop kinetic energy and moisture retention) and microscopic extracellular polysaccharide-cemented soil particles forming a three-dimensional network. However, acidic environments induce metabolic acid release from algae, dissolving cementing materials and creating a “surface protection-internal damage” paradox. To address this, a “transparent film-biofiber-acid inhibition layer” composite biofilm design is proposed, integrating a biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) mesh, algal attachment substrates, and calcium carbonate microparticles to dynamically neutralize acidic substances, achieving synergistic ecological protection and cultural heritage authenticity. This study provides innovative solutions for the anti-erosion protection of traditional rammed earth structures, emphasizing environmental compatibility and sustainability. Full article

Cave dwellings in the Loess Plateau and western Henan region are ancient architectural forms that offer significant potential for rural revitalization and cultural heritage preservation. This study examines their role in Mogou Village through field surveys and mathematical analysis, highlighting their contributions to urban–rural integration, rural tourism, and cultural sustainability. Key findings include the mean radiant temperature (MRT) in cave dwellings remaining stable between 22.7–25.9 °C, facilitating lower indoor temperatures in summer. These dwellings maintain an APMV within the Class I thermal environment (−0.5 ≤ APMV ≤ 0.5), achieving a 90% satisfaction rate for thermal comfort. Despite excellent thermal insulation, improvements in ventilation design are necessary. Moreover, cave dwellings attract urban residents, fostering urban–rural integration and rural tourism development. They also preserve cultural heritage through traditional construction techniques and philosophical thought. Preserving local characteristics while protecting traditions is essential for social harmony, economic development, and cultural inheritance, supporting sustainable urban–rural integration. Full article

Livelihood diversification for traditional villages is essential to reducing poverty, addressing rural hollowing, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shanxi Province—with its wealth of ancient villages, diverse cultural heritage, and unique landscapes—serves as a critical case for analyzing livelihood strategies. This research proposes a framework for livelihood diversification in Shanxi Province’s 619 traditional villages. Firstly, we constructed an indicator system to measure livelihood assets, including ecological stability, economic feasibility, land productivity, cultural inheritance, and social service capacity. Then, the trade-offs and synergies between each pair of assets are explored based on the correlation tests and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. Finally, the Self-Organizing Map (SOM) model is employed to cluster the dominant livelihood assets of the sample villages. The results indicated that (1) the current sustainable livelihood levels of traditional villages in Shanxi Province exhibit spatial differentiation and imbalance. (2) The analysis confirms significant synergy between cultural inheritance, social service capacity, and economic feasibility, suggesting that appropriate protection and enhancement of local culture positively correlates with sustainable economic and social development in the villages. (3) Utilizing the SOM clustering model, six distinct types of sustainable livelihood strategies for traditional villages in Shanxi Province were successfully identified. Furthermore, a county-scale “multi-livelihood zoning” strategy has been proposed. The findings of this research can serve as a valuable reference for strategic planning and the implementation of rural revitalization. Full article