China, as a historical country, its economic prosperity has promoted the progress of art, art painting and architecture are inextricably linked. Architectural painting is the perfect meeting point of the two, exuding a unique artistic charm, waiting for our careful taste. This paper mainly discusses the following aspects: first, this paper reviews the development of Chinese architectural painting; second, it combs the development of architectural painting in ancient China; next, it expounds on the process of the emergence, development, prosperity and decline of architectural painting with the appearance of boundary painting as the demarcation point, which focuses on the heyday of its development—Song Dynasty; then, the theme of Chinese architectural painting is divided into four categories: garden, palace, custom and religion, and the development and characteristics of each category are explained. At last, the paper discusses the basic situation of contemporary architectural painting, and looks forward to its future development prospects. Architectural painting is the treasure of the world of painting art. This paper strives to deeply, comprehensively and objectively explore architectural painting, hoping to attract people’s attention to this subject of painting at the same time. We hope to provide contemporary painters with rich artistic expression forms, artistic techniques and aesthetic taste.

El Pardo Woodlands is known as the largest natural setting in the Community of Madrid and it is the oldest Royal Site in the Spanish capital. These hunting grounds were declared a Special Protection Area for Birds in 1987 ( ZEPA ). The present investigation aims to bring to light two main excavated areas that have affected the development of the landscape in this protected woodland area: the artesian wells and the civil war trenches. In order to discuss interventions such as artesian wells and trench construction, we could define that both affected the subsoil but have very different characteristics since the wells were implemented to provide water to the Royal Site of El Pardo, before the war, and the trenches were made a little later to protect the sides that defended the place. These interventions, both from the first half of the 20th century, have modified the natural terrain and, for different reasons. One intervention is the artesian wells constructed by engineer Janini between 1910 and 1920. The other is the construction of trenches. The method employed for this analysis of the impact on the land used is based on historical knowledge of the place. Previously documentation (maps, blueprints and pictures) has been extracted and systematized to locate the wells and trenches in time and place. As a novelty, this study shows unpublished information and photographs found in historical, military and National Heritage archives. The results allowed us to understand factors and elements of the urban layout.

The Assembleia de Abrantes building, designed in 1923 and intended as the headquarters of a recreational and cultural club, was one of the first and most relevant projects of Raul Lino (1879-1974) in that city. The building was classified in 2014. This paper proposes the study and interpretation of its main architectural and construction features, in order to understand whether there is a correlation between the Casa Portuguesa programme advocated by Raul Lino and the programme of this building designed to house a local club. The methodology that guided this study focused on the analysis of primary and secondary sources (drawings, written architectural documentation, correspondence between the client and the architect, books and other written publications), photographic and geometric surveys and their graphic recording. Existing architectural documents were analysed. The study was also based on Lino’s theoretical reflections on the function and materiality of Portuguese dwellings, published between 1918 and 1933. It can be concluded that there is a correlation between the Casa Portuguesa programme and that of this building, relating to the internal organization of spaces and construction systems. This work enabled the identification and aggregation of project documents dispersed across two documentary funds. The results obtained contribute to the documentation of preliminary studies for future construction work on the Assembleia de Abrantes Headquarters building. This work aims to make an additional contribution to the interpretation and understanding of Raul Lino's architectural work, focusing on the construction perspective.

Over the last two decades, earth construction techniques have gained attention as solutions to challenges in the construction sector, driven by the need for more housing due to population growth and rising welfare, alongside the urgent need to address global warming and biodiversity loss. This has led to a deeper understanding and modernization of traditional methods, such as those used in the construction of the Arg-é Bam citadel, the world’s largest molded mud building. This article explores the advantages of using biodegradable materials as a sustainable design strategy, focusing on two ancient construction systems—Adobe and Tapia—both deeply connected to the environment and ecology. A systematic review of scientific articles published between 2016 and 2021, mainly from European and South American countries, was conducted. The analysis reveals that despite its many benefits, such as low environmental impact and resilience against extreme weather events, earthen construction remains a niche market. It offers an architecture that balances safety, sustainability, and ecology but is often perceived as exclusive to either the very wealthy or the very poor.

Balancing the preservation of historical buildings with urban development is a global challenge in the context of rapid urbanization. This study focuses on heritage protection policies in China, using Wuhan as a case study to explore how governmental agencies address this conflict through top-down policy adjustments and planning measures. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates Geographic Information System (GIS) data analysis, field investigations, and semi-structured interviews to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of heritage preservation in Wuhan and the effectiveness of related policies. The findings reveal that while heritage protection regulations are in place, their implementation faces significant challenges, including low public participation, limited funding, and insufficient policy enforcement. By integrating historical buildings with cultural tourism, governments and private stakeholders are working toward a new balance between preservation and reuse, creating economic incentives that support heritage conservation. This study not only highlights the practical challenges of heritage preservation in Wuhan but also offers insights for developing heritage management policies in other cities of the developing countries facing similar issues.

The study entitled Luang Prabang Mural Painting: Social and Cultural Reflection, Lao PDR is the study of the mural paintings in Luang Prabang and the analysis of the social and cultural reflection from the mural paintings in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The research adopts both qualitative and quantitative methods. Studying the mural paintings in Luang Prabang, created during the Lao Lan Xang era under Siamese rule up to the present day (1779 to the present), covering eight temples. The target group consisted of the informants in Luang Prabang City, and the research tools consisted of surveys, observation, and interviews. The data was analyzed through the representation concept, structural-functionalism theory, and cultural diffusion theory, presented through descriptive analysis. The study found that the characteristic of the mural paintings in Luang Prabang, consisting of the form, colors, techniques, and composition, was artistically influenced by the surrounding kingdoms. Starting from the Lan Xang kingdom, until the era Laos was under Siam, where the Rattakosin artistic influence came to play a significant role in the development of arts and the integration of the traditional Lao art, creating an identity of Luang Prabang arts. As for the social reflection in the mural paintings, according to the Lao historical context from Lan Xang to the present, there are four significant social aspects: social kinship system, political relationships, transnational economic trades, and cultural tourism as a world heritage site. There are four aspects to the cultural reflection of the mural paintings in Luang Prabang: cultural livelihood and way of life system, cultural consciousness or social system, cultural intelligence and thought systems, and arts and culture or aesthetic system.

Digital games have recently increased in popularity, becoming a cultural phenomenon and a new way to explore historical characters, which aligns with the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. This study aims to understand Saudi gamers’ perceptions of historical characters and the factors that shape their preferences. A quantitative descriptive approach was used, where a questionnaire was applied to 104 individuals who participated in events organized by the Saudi Digital Games Association and the Saudi Esports Academy. The results indicate that historical characters can enhance the appeal and engagement of digital games. In addition, they highlight the need for developers to gain insights into Saudi gamers’ preferences regarding historical periods and historical characters’ characteristics. It was concluded that the dynamic interaction between players and the virtual world of the game, which includes historical characters, can increase the attractiveness of the game and the players’ experience at all levels of entertainment, culture, and historical knowledge, reflecting the distinctive features of Saudi history. Future studies focusing on other elements of the digital game, such as story, period, or aspects of tangible and intangible heritage, are suggested.

This research aims to understand the relevance and practices of the Tandok Sepapan customary tradition in resolving Tenurial conflicts among the communities of Southeast Aceh Regency. This research is designed qualitatively using a case study approach. The research was conducted in Peseluk Pesimbe Village, Deleng Pokhisen Subdistrict, and Bakti Village, Babul Makmur Subdistrict, for the Conservation Forest, and Tanjung Leuser Village and Gulo Village, Darul Hasanah Subdistrict, for the Conservation Forest in Aceh Tenggara District. The research findings demonstrate that the customary practice of Tandok Sepapan plays a crucial role in mediating tenurial conflicts within the community. Tandok Sepapan, as a traditional conflict resolution mechanism, has proven effective in resolving disputes related to land ownership and rights. This practice involves guided dialogue based on cultural norms and values, resulting in peaceful resolutions. The customary practice of Tandok Sepapan not only serves as a means to resolve conflicts but also strengthens social bonds, fosters trust, and maintains harmony and sustainability within the Southeast Aceh Regency community. A mediation approach considering customary norms and local wisdom creates space for dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation among conflicting parties, offering more sustainable and harmonious solutions in the local community context. The structured mediation process, from the appointment of the Head of Adat to the drafting of peace agreements, enables the search for culturally aligned solutions. Agreements made in customary meetings are based on fairness for both parties and are later formalized into peace agreements recognized as customary law by all involved.

This article presents the development of symbolic interpretations that appear on the pediment in Palladian architecture in Thailand. Palladian architecture originated from an Italian architect, Andrea Palladio. The distinctive identity is that it has beautiful proportions that are harmoniously consistent, with the style unraveled from ancient Greco-Roman architecture. It emphasizes symmetry and incorporates classic building elements into the design, especially in pediment. Studies have shown that pediment is an important element. It is located on the top of the building. In the Greco-Roman period, pediment was used to decorate the temple for worshiping the gods. Andrea Palladio adapted pediment elements in residential buildings, adhering to the beauty of proportions rather than excessive decorations according to the humanist approach that was popular during the Renaissance. As a result, the pediments in Andrea Palladio's designs were interpreted as majestic. The Palladian style of architecture clearly reflects the essence of Western architecture. It has been popular in Thailand since the 19th century onwards. The study found that Western architects adapted the architectural style to be more oriental. The unique pediment elements of the Palladian architecture have been redefined. Sculptures decorated with stories of various gods were replaced by the symbols of the monarchy, royal emblems, coat of arms and Garuda. Such decorations often appear on the pediment of the palaces and various government buildings to indicate the status of the monarch as the builder of the buildings and reflect the center of power in the rule of the monarch under the absolute monarchy.

The Reba dance of Eastern Tibet, a vital aspect of China's intangible cultural heritage, has been significantly influenced by national cultural policies since the 1980s. This context necessitates an examination of the practices of folk groups and local intellectuals, as practical subjects, which have been overlooked in previous studies. By using the ethnographic method and Bourdieu's concept of agency, this study seeks to analyse how these two practical subjects collaborate and interact in the practice of art festivals, performances, and teaching under the structure of national policies. By exercising their agency, the study emphasises that in the preservation process, folk groups and local intellectuals play crucial roles as primary practical subjects. This study argues that, in the preservation and inheritance process of Reba dance in Eastern Tibet, the relationship between the state, local intellectuals, and folk groups is not a one-way operation of the government and intellectuals but involves a strategic interaction of multiple subjects' practices. while the state appropriates and shapes folk dance through its policies, folk groups and local intellectuals, as the practical subjects, strategically respond to these policies, further facilitating the inheritance of Reba dance.