Search Results (17)

Road extraction from high-resolution remote sensing imagery is fundamental to numerous practical applications, yet still faces notable challenges caused by label noise, particularly the underlabeling of rural roads within training datasets. End-to-end dense prediction networks deliver high efficiency and strong global context capture capability, yet they are highly vulnerable to such label noise. In contrast, patch-based methods achieve better robustness but sacrifice global reasoning ability and computational efficiency. This paper proposes a novel training strategy named Positive-guided Local Supervision (PLS), which integrates the strengths of the two aforementioned paradigms. PLS preserves the full end-to-end forward pass to leverage global context, while restricting loss computation to local patches centered on reliably annotated road pixels (positive samples) via a standard dense segmentation loss. By isolating the model from misleading gradients generated in underlabeled regions, PLS effectively mitigates the negative impact of underlabeling without compromising computational efficiency and prediction quality. We evaluate the proposed PLS on two datasets: the public DeepGlobe benchmark and a newly constructed challenging dataset, namely China Four Provinces (CH4P). CH4P includes 13,498 high-resolution images of rural China, which suffers from severe underlabeling inherited from public web maps. Extensive quantitative evaluations on DeepGlobe and the newly built CH4P dataset validate that our PLS strategy surpasses conventional end-to-end baselines and competitive state-of-the-art methods under both noisy original labels and manually refined annotations. On the refined DeepGlobe-mini-test and CH4P-mini-test subsets, PLS obtains prominent absolute IoU improvements of 0.127 and 0.104 over baseline models, respectively, showing distinct superiority in handling severe real-world underlabeling. Qualitative visualizations and cross-dataset generalization tests further demonstrate that PLS can effectively retrieve road segments omitted in raw annotations, delivers strong robustness against practical label noise, and introduces no extra computational burden in the inference stage. Full article

Taking Dachen Village in Jiangshan, Zhejiang Province, as an example, this paper discusses the application of digital intelligence technology innovation in the protection of rural cultural architectural heritage. After reviewing the relevant literature on the digital protection of traditional village cultural heritage, this research applied new technologies, such as big data screening and computer clusters, to develop a visual digital intelligence display platform for Dachen Village. The research results show the innovation, experience, and interactivity of digital intelligence technology. This research proposes the use of digital intelligent classification preservation, digital museum construction, and the intelligent development of planning circle websites to protect rural cultural heritage effectively. This paper addresses four core academic gaps in the current research on the “digital-intelligent preservation of traditional villages”: fragmented technological applications, lack of public participation, separation of tangible and intangible heritage, and the absence of replicable models. It proposes a “low-threshold, full-process, replicable” digital-intelligent preservation approach, providing dual reference for both theoretical and practical aspects in subsequent research. It also calls for public participation in jointly inheriting and carrying forward the treasures of human historical civilization. Full article

Planning serves as a vital tool for achieving orderly land management and utilization. The success of conservation planning hinges on its ability to translate cultural heritage preservation needs into rational allocation and guidance of land resources, ultimately realizing a win–win outcome that fosters cultural continuity, social harmony, and economic development. Historic and cultural towns are highly representative urban and rural historic and cultural heritage sites. However, the participation components in the conservation planning of historic towns are complex, and the misalignment of the functions, rights and responsibilities, and interest demands of the participants often leads to a loss of actual benefits. To help achieve a reasonable transformation of the protection needs of historic towns and guide the cultural inheritance and socially harmonious development of urban and rural construction, based on game theory and the logic of planning rights games, this paper begins with an understanding of the relevant laws and regulations, conducts an empirical analysis of the game processes and situations of conservation planning in two provinces and four towns, and incorporates publicly available data from the internet for argumentation to explore the game states and operation mechanisms of conservation planning in historic and cultural towns. The findings reveal the following regarding historic town conservation planning: (1) it proceeds lawfully and rationally, reflecting collective rationality; (2) it exhibits two equilibrium modes: relatively static and dynamic; (3) game conflicts mainly manifest as multi-planning conflicts and the resulting conflicts among systems and inter-systems. The game dynamics are influenced by the value of the historic town, resource allocation, and the relationship between rights, responsibilities, and interests. To overcome the game dilemma, it is essential to establish effective cooperative mechanisms at the legal and regulatory levels based on the value of the historic town, allocate resources reasonably, and achieve a balance between rights, responsibilities, and interests. 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

It is significant to study the correlation between the spatial distribution and topographic features for ethnic minority rural settlements, which can provide the theoretical basis and practical methods for the preservation of ethnic culture and scientific planning of territorial space. Liuzhou in Guangxi is a region with diverse ethnic groups and this paper takes Liuzhou as the case study. This study employs fractal theory, GIS spatial analysis, and correlation analysis methods to investigate the relationship between settlement spatial patterns and their surrounding geographical conditions. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between the geographic location of ethnic minority rural settlements (including site selection and terrain features) and their geographical conditions (topographic and elevation factors). Additionally, significant associations exist between settlement slope, settlement orientation, and their positioning within mountainous terrain. The study also reveals strong correlations between planar morphological characteristics (or settlement scale) and settlement terrain for the settlements of the same ethnic group within the same region. Specifically, Dong settlements exhibit remarkable consistency in settlement scale, while Miao settlements demonstrate high similarity in terms of elevation distribution. The methodology developed in this study is applicable to correlation research on settlement characteristics across diverse ethnic groups and geographical regions. It not only reveals universal patterns of how physical-geographic environments influence the planar and spatial features of settlements, but also validates the logical coherence of investigating layout characteristics from both planar and spatial perspectives. The findings of this study not only provide practical guidance for the development and planning of settlements, but also offer recommendations for the cultural inheritance and settlement protection of ethnic minorities. 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

The micro-renewal of rural heritage in urban villages transcends spatial transformation, profoundly altering social structures and relational dynamics. Recent research has emerged concerning the cultural impact of rural revitalization on rural heritage. However, little research has been undertaken regarding the specific mechanisms via which various renewal orientations influence the community. This study focuses on the case of Whampoa Village in Guangzhou, China, specifically highlighting the rehabilitation of its ancestral temples. Utilizing a field–space–society analytical framework, it analyzes how these revitalized ancestral temples enhance community resilience and instigate a reverse reconfiguration of spaces. Moreover, it emphasizes that the varied rehabilitation approach of ancestral temples, by including different social groups, fosters the establishment of new community connections. NGOs and small investors act as the primary catalysts for the preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage. The redevelopment initiative in Whampoa Village has enhanced spatial diversity, thereby reinforcing and transforming existing community structures. Nonetheless, it highlights the potential for spatial inequities arising from capital-driven commercialization in these rural regions. This article seeks to enrich the global database of cultural heritage by including cases from southern China and to contribute to the literature on the preservation of rural cultural assets. Full article

The long-term interplay between rural handicraft industries and village development has resulted in imbalances such as the disorder of living spaces, misalignment of production spaces, and ecological space disruptions. Comprehensively analyzing village landscape elements and actively maintaining their coordinated development are the keys to the transformation of handicraft villages. This study firstly introduces the theory of landscape genes and the concept of “Production–Living–Ecology Spaces” (PLESs) and then constructs the identification system of PLES landscape genes. The system starts from the three dimensions of the production, life, and ecology spaces of the village, identifies the landscape elements that have been passed down from generation to generation, and realizes a comprehensive interpretation of the landscape elements of handicraft villages. Using YaoTou Village in Shaanxi Province as a case study, this study illustrates its landscape characteristics, based on the genetic form of PLES landscape genes, using the G1-FCE method to collect evaluation data from both tourists and residents. These data help to identify the genetic status of the PLES landscape genes of YaoTou Village and propose targeted inheritance mechanisms. The results enable the comprehensive identification of production, ecological, and living landscape elements in handicraft villages, evaluating their inheritance status to carry out targeted modern innovative transformation. This study will provide a reference for identifying and preserving the landscape elements of YaoTou Village and more handicraft villages and contribute to rural revitalization. Full article

Traditional villages are one of the basic types of rural revitalisation and one of the important carriers of cultural inheritance. This research is based on the data of 53 traditional villages in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with the aid of the ArcGIS10.8.1 spatial analysis platform. The study identifies the spatial evolution characteristics from the spatial distribution type, distribution direction, distribution density, distribution balance, etc., and explores their influence mechanisms. The study shows that 1. the spatial structure of traditional villages in Xinjiang was analysed as a cohesive structure type by using the nearest neighbour index method, which shows the evolutionary characteristics of the agglomerative tendency to increase gradually. Among them, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture and Turpan City have the highest degree of concentration. 2. The establishment and development of traditional villages in Xinjiang is mainly influenced by natural factors such as geographical features and hydrography. Social factors such as population distribution, transport conditions and economic progression have very important implications for the preservation and continuation of traditional villages. Full article

Many traditional villages have been degraded to a certain extent due to urbanization and out-of-control management. In addition, due to the lack of recognition and continuation of spatial texture in some village conservation and planning that, in turn, resulting in the gradual disappearance of their distinctive landscape feature. Studying the spatial form of traditional villages helps preserve the authenticity of traditional villages as cultural landscape and inherits traditional historical characteristics. Using Puping Village in Zhangzhou City, Fujian Province as an example, this paper obtains the integrated information data of the village through UAV oblique photography, classifies and extracts the spatial constitution of the traditional village using digital technology, quantitatively analyses it from macroscopic to microscopic, and summarizes the spatial morphology analysis method of the traditional village. The results demonstrate that digital technology can effectively and accurately complete data collection and can provide an objective basis for zoning conservation of traditional villages based on the distinction between new and historic buildings. In addition, digital information collection on the traditional villages landscape features will prepare for the establishment of a database and comparative analysis in the future. We further suggest that digital technology analysis needs to be combined with traditional methods to have a deeper understanding of the formation process of village spatial morphology. The results of the practice in Puping Village show that the use of digital technology can provide a scientific basis for the protection and planning of traditional villages, and that this method is adaptable, which can help to efficiently collect and analyze data on landscape characteristics of other similar villages in China, and support innovative methodologies and technologies for China’s rural revitalization efforts. Full article

A large amount of industrial heritage has been preserved owing to the wide recognition of its value as part of urban renewal and rural revitalization. Shaanxi’s industrial heritage is unique because of its rich historical resources. However, research on Shaanxi’s industrial heritage has been of point and piecemeal form rather than systematic. In this study, through the collection of historical data and study of the academic literature, we analyzed 385 industrial heritage sites in Shaanxi in time and space from 1840 to 1978 using a geographic information system (GIS) to reveal their evolution patterns. We comprehensively examined the influence of factors such as natural resources, traditional ancient industry inheritance, transportation conditions, and historical policies, and found that the distribution of industrial heritage in Shaanxi resulted from the interaction of these factors. We have constructed the first ever level categorized and quantified multilevel industrial heritage atlas of Shaanxi in the form of a Sankey diagram using GIS spatial maps, which provides a traceable historical record for each industrial heritage site. We not only reveal the spatial evolution law of industrial heritage in Shaanxi but also provide an overall view of the practice of industrial heritage protection and renewal, thus helping avoid the homogenization of future design. Our findings are also of academic and practical significance for the study and protection of industrial heritage. Full article

In order to solve the problems of national and international research and the current situation, the following must be addressed: the research method is more traditional; the research perspective is relatively single; the index construction lacks a theoretical basis; the index selection is more one-sided; the data is only cross-sectional; the financial and talent support is insufficient; the service level of public service facilities is not good; the awareness of cultural preservation and inheritance is insufficient; and the level of management across administrative regions is differentiated. At the same time, to meet the top-level design needs of constructing a rural historical and cultural preservation and inheritance system, the non-oriented, region-wide EBM (Epsilon-Based Measure)-GML (Global-Malmquist) model is constructed under the condition of VRS (Variable Returns to Scale), which includes non-desired outputs. Additionally, an index system for assessing the value of rural preservation and inheritance in China is also constructed. Taking the typical rural area in the Western Liao River Basin of Inner Mongolia as an example, the panel data from 2019 to 2021 are selected for empirical analysis, and the conclusions and countermeasures are as follows: 1. The overall preservation improves year by year, and partly shows high preservation in the southwest and low preservation in the northeast. The advantageous areas should update the preservation and inheritance methods to enhance the driving effect on other areas; other areas should continuously improve the quality and efficiency. 2. The difference between rural areas with the highest and lowest assessed values increases year by year, showing the Matthew effect. It is necessary to realize the policy meaning of the value assessment index system by strengthening the overall preservation, integrating the preservation and inheritance into the rural development of the whole basin, strengthening the overall management, reforming the preservation and inheritance management mode, and improving the management efficiency of rural in the whole basin. 3. Strengthen the technical empowerment and scientific preservation and inheritance. It is necessary to learn the advanced technology concept and transform the technical achievements over time. Full article

Traditional settlement space contains regional, natural, economic, historical, and cultural characteristics. The spatial texture serves as a material carrier of rural life and production and a vital landscape resource for the traditional villages. Traditional rural settlements have formed relatively unique and stable spatial form genes over time, which contain the “order” and “law” of spatial creation traditionally established in villages. The metropolis erodes traditional village spaces due to fast socioeconomic development and urbanization. In addition, the lack of adequate recognition and continuation of spatial texture in current mainstream village construction planning methods also limits the ability of villages to adapt to environmental changes and promote self-repair and adjustment, which, in turn, causes the gradual disappearance of their distinctive appearance. The reason is the need for more quantitative research and planning on the genes controlling the evolution of spatial texture morphology in traditional villages. They are faced with issues such as blind construction and development, a fracture in the rural characteristic spatial texture inheritance, and a loss of the distinctive vernacular landscape. Adopting an objective and in-depth approach to the cognition of traditional village space texture is an essential demand for the preservation, optimization, and renewal of the spatial appearance of rural settlements. We use the spatial genes of village settlements as its starting point. It then uses the spatial texture of village settlements connected to gene information mining as its specific method. We investigate the autogenous law of traditional village spatial form and determine its application using the CityEngine parametric platform, digitalization, and 3D visualization as the applied technical means. The feasibility and implementation path of the parameterization technique are explored using the traditional village of Xiaoxi in western Hunan Province as an example. We effectively promote the integration of rural spatial landscape resources, feature assessment, optimization guidance, and management control and provide an innovative research perspective and scientific planning path for analyzing the spatial morphological evolution of traditional villages. Full article

In contrast to modern agriculture, long-standing traditional agricultural practices such as agricultural heritage systems (AHS) are important inspirations for promoting harmonious human–land relations. However, some AHS have been in danger as their traditional agricultural landscapes (TALs) were changed by rapid modernization and urbanization. Thus, how do we figure out the change processes? What conservation measures can be taken? Taking the Xin’an Traditional Cherry Cultivation System in the loess hilly areas of Henan Province as a case, this study introduced the source–sink landscape theory to analyze the structure and process of the TAL during 1920–2020. Results show that, during 1920–1950, the traditional rural landscape (TRL) and the agricultural (natural) ecological landscape (ANEL) in the TAL were relatively balanced because they were source and sink to each other. Since 1985, the source expansion and sink resistance of both TRL and ANEL have been greatly hindered by the sink growth of modern village landscapes (MVL). As the core source landscape, TRL needs salvage protection for inheriting local characteristics by effective measures. TAL conservation should highlight rurality preservation through expanding the protection scope of TRL, endowing the MVL with more indigenous cultural features, etc. All these may contribute to rural vitalization and sustainable development. Full article

Transformation and sustainable development must be undertaken in accordance with the trends of the times, which presents challenges to rural areas worldwide. In addition to preserving rural food specialties and presenting them in new ways to attract consumers, these areas must link farmers’ production, processing, sales, and management. It is imperative to sustainably pass on rural foods and theircooking techniques and integrate them into innovative business strategies so that delicious rural foods can be sold on the consumer market, boosting rural economies and their development. The main objective of this research was to conduct indicator modeling and empirical analysis for the sustainable inheritance of Taiwan’s rural cooking techniques and the development of innovative marketing strategies. The Fuzzy Delphi Technique was used as the main research method to select agricultural experts and rural household economy organizations for indicator modeling and empirical analysis. The results of the research indicate that agricultural experts believe that market operation is the primary developmental focus of cultural inheritance and innovation, whereas household economy organizations believe that education, training, promotion, and development are the primary developmental focuses. The greatest contribution and innovation of this research are the findings that culinary education and training, organized by the farmers’ association, can sustainably pass on traditional rural cooking techniques, and the process of incorporating local ingredients into commercial gourmet food should also consider aspects of the economic and marketing strategies of market operation, facilitating the sustainable inheritance of unique, traditional, local, and rural food culture. Full article