To Evaluate the Value of Traditional Village Landscape Elements in Influencing the Huizhou Character of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: A Case Study of Huizhou, Anhui, China

Abstract

Social classes, areas of residence, environmental factors, and customs all influence a society's cultural values. These factors typically work together to help in creating the values of the traditional cultural landscape of any society. The traditional village landscape's significance as a cultural heritage is closely linked to the existence of cultural norms and the cultural environment, which together include all of the cultural values. As a result of this, maintaining these elements is essential to ensuring the permanence of history and culture. To assess the significance of traditional village landscape components in shaping the Huizhou identity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, a case study of Huizhou, Anhui in China was considered. This research employs a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology to explore the value of the traditional village landscape in influencing Huizhou’s identity. The research also examines the heritage value of the traditional village landscape on the Huizhou identity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS). The results of the study revealed that traditional village landscape elements have greatly influenced the Huizhou identity of UNESCO’s WHS. The findings also demonstrated that traditional village landscapes have valuable recreational, artistic, production, and ecological purposes. This presents justification for the pressing need for the preservation and protection of traditional village landscapes, which requires prioritizing safeguarding the historical aspects of these settlements as well as the overall traditional settlement space and environment.