Rediscovery of Cultural Landscapes in Southern China: Sustainable Heritage and Planning in Rural Settlements

by Wallace P.H. Chang

Overview

This book investigates the concept of human landscape in rural settlements in Southern China, where communities and their cultural landscapes are facing contemporary challenges following a period of rapid urbanization in the last 50 years.

While metropolitan cities, such as Hong Kong, are experiencing accelerated urban development, underpopulated rural villages are struggling to maintain the cultural heritage of their regions. Rediscovery of Cultural Landscapes in Southern China provides a detailed account into indigenous living cultures in traditional, rural settlements upon natural landscapes. Beginning with an overview of the theoretical framework, the book presents six unique cases, including: Tai O, Yim Tin Tsai, Lai Chi Wo, Nga Tsin Wai, Cangdong, and Meinong, while illustrating a relevant comparison between Hakka and Satoyama landscape systems. The spectrum of theoretical and case analyses allows for a rethinking of the evolving cultural landscape’s positioning with valuable heritages in the context of a post-industrial society.

The book is written towards reinterpreting the cultural landscape by conceptualizing the human landscape for scholars, practitioners, and students interested in rural-cultural conservation and revitalization, heritage management, traditional architecture and landscape planning, and urban-rural development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367466527
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/28/2023
Series:	Planning, Heritage and Sustainability
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Wallace P. H. Chang is a visiting scholar at the Harvard-Yenching Institute of Harvard University, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, and registered architect in Hong Kong and China. He is both an architectural practitioner and theorist on urban design, cultural conservation, and community participation.

Table of Contents

List of Figures. List of Tables. List of Contributors. 1) Introduction. Part I: Theoretical Framework. 2) Human Landscape. 3) Cultural Heritage in Rural Landscape. 4) Finding an Eco-Habitat. 5) Evolution from the Origin. 6) Hakka Villages in Hong Kong. 7) From Empty-nestling to Home Calling. Part II: Heritage Management Approaches. 8) Case Analysis with Alternative Strategies. 9) Tai O Fishing Village—cultural awakening. 10) Yim Tin Tsai Catholic Village—religious calling. 11) Lai Chi Wo—rural revitalizing. 12) Nga Tsin Wai Village—urban rediscovering. 13) Cangdong Project—tradition revitalizing. 14) Meinong Hakka Cultural District—humanized indigenizing. 15) Satoyama and Hakka Wisdom. Conclusion 16) Learning towards Human Landscape. Index.