Rural Heritage: Value, Conservation and Revitalisation\u2014From the Perspective of the Human-Land Relationship

Xiaofan Du,Ding Shi

doi:10.1186/bf03545723

Abstract

Today, rural revitalisation has become a national issue for China, and it is one that many countries also have to face. However, a rural area is not some wilderness that is open to any type of development. The long history of agricultural civilisation has left an extensive, precious heritage in rural areas; thus, revitalising rural areas has to be based on conserving that heritage. This special issue adopts the theme of ‘rural heritage’: we provide a platform for dialogue between China and overseas scholars with the focus on conserving and revitalising rural heritage. There are six contributions in this special issue on matters that affect rural heritage in various countries. Among them, it is possible to understand methods of conservation design with respect to Japan’s rural heritage and follow the role of rural tourism in France. It is also possible to grasp the importance of promoting a building culture in rural parts of Germany. All these contributions offer profound insights for conserving and revitalising China’s rural heritage. This special issue also presents the thoughts of Chinese and foreign experts on recent issues related to China’s rural heritage; it provides a comprehensive introduction to the rural heritage protection system in China. Rural heritage is a complex system. Accordingly, the topics addressed in this special issue reflect the various characteristics involved. However, if readers study these articles from the perspective of the human-land relationship, they will be able to identify the deep correlations among them.

Highlights

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUERural Heritage: Value, Conservation and Revitalisation—From the Perspective of the Human–Land RelationshipXiaofan Du and Ding Shi* ABSTRACTToday, rural revitalisation has become a national issue for China, and it is one that many countries have to face
When we talk about rural heritage, we are not trying to establish a new type of heritage; we are attempting to construct a comprehensive, flexible framework according to the methodology of cultural landscape to examine the characteristics and changes in various tangible and intangible elements as a whole related to rural areas (Figure 1)
Before conservation of the rural heritage can be discussed, it is necessary to judge the stages that villages occupy in terms of their development through the characteristics of the human–land relationship

Summary

Introduction

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPECIAL ISSUERural Heritage: Value, Conservation and Revitalisation—From the Perspective of the Human–Land RelationshipXiaofan Du and Ding Shi* ABSTRACTToday, rural revitalisation has become a national issue for China, and it is one that many countries have to face. KEYWORDS rural heritage, value, conservation, revitalisation, sustainable development, cultural landscape, human–land relationship

Results

Conclusion