Newsletter 27

Contents Introduction
SPECIAL COVERAGE 01
HUL
The First Domestic Training Course on Historic Urban Landscapes (HUL) Held in
Shanghai
WHITRAP NEWS 03
/
/ 2013
/
International Conference on Sustainable Building Restoration and Revitalisation-2013

Held in Shanghai / The 2nd International Conference on Cultural Heritage Held in
Hangzhou / 2013 Advanced Course on Conservation and Restoration Techniques of
Traditional Architectures for the Asia-Pacific Region Held in Suzhou / International
Symposium on Revisiting Kathmandu: Safeguarding Living Urban Heritage Held in
Kathmandu Valley
RESEARCH FRONTIER 05
/
World Heritage Agricultural Landscapes / Dong Villages: Living Heritage in A Land of
Beauty
CASE STUDY 15
/
Sternenfels
Research on Protection of Ethnic Ancient Villages: a Case Study on Dong Villages /
Protection and Regeneration of Industrial Heritage in Rural Areas in Germany A
Case Study in Sternenfels, Baden-Wrttemberg
ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION 24 The World Heritage Institute of Training and

Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region
2013
Safeguarding Villages and Arousing Cultural Consciousness Voices from the 2013 (WHITRAP) is a Category II institute under the
Sino-French Seminar on Rural Cultural Heritage auspices of UNESCO. It was the first international
HERITAGE KNOWLEDGE 30 organization in the field of World Heritage to be
established in a developing country. Mandated by
Introduction to Policies on Protection of Villages in China the State Parties of the World Heritage Convention
WORLD HERITAGE IN THE and other State Parties of UNESCO, the institute
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION 32 was founded to promote the conservation and
/ development of World Heritage in the Asia and the
Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs) / Al Zubarah Archaeological Site Pacific Region.
FORTHCOMING 33 WHITRAP has three branches: one in Beijing, anoth-
2014 /
/ er in Shanghai, and the third in Suzhou.
The Shanghai Centre at Tongji University focuses
The 2014 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation Coming on the conservation of Cultural Heritage, such as
up / Using Natural and Cultural Heritage in Sustainable Development Synergy
for Development in Berge / The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater
the sustainable development of ancient towns and
Cultural Heritage villages, architectural sites, architectural complex-
es, and Cultural Landscapes.
The Beijing Centre at Peking University is in charge
Editorial Director: ZHOU Jian of Natural Heritage conservation, archaeological
Editor-in-Chief: LI Xin
Managing Editor: LIU Zhen excavation, and management of the sites' Cultural
Editors on Duty: QU Ying LI Yanning Landscape.
Assistant Editors: HAN Chengzhan LEUNG Hoyin
Translators: PEI Jieting MING Qianqian The Suzhou Centre, hosted by Suzhou Municipal
Proofreading: LUO Jing XU Hairong Government, provides technical training and
Publishing: QU Ying PEI Jieting
Design: TANG Wei
researches site management methods and resto-
ration techniques.

Copyright Notice:
WHITRAP Newsletter is a restricted publication, and the written and visual contents of it are pro- Acknowledgements:
tected by copyright. All articles and photos cannot be reprinted without the prior written consent Acknowledgements are to the World Heritage Review (WHC), the World
of WHITRAP Shanghai. All rights reserved. Heritage (Beijing) and the Guizhou Provincial Administration of Cultural
Heritage (China) for their generous supports!
SPECIAL COVERAGE
HUL
The First Domestic Training Course on Historic Urban Landscapes (HUL) Held in Shanghai
/ Written by Ron van Oers (Netherlands) and Liu Zhen
2013 11 8 12
T h e fi r s t D o m e s t ic Tr a i n i n g
Course on Historic Urban Land-
scapes was successfully held in Tongji
ules, a half day site visit in Shanghai,
and a full day of roundtable discus-
sions on heritage cities and sites in
University, China. It was organized China and their conservation man-
by WHITRAP Shanghai, who is tak- agement challenges. The training

ing the lead in facilitating the imple- modules explained the history and
mentation of the new UNESCO Rec- traditions of urban conservation as
ommendation on the Historic Urban developed in Europe and in China,
Landscape in the Asia and Pacific how the current urbanization trend
region by providing technical assis- in China is currently destroying

21 tance to local governments, conduct- much of the cultural heritage and
ing research and organizing training identity in Chinese cities, and how
workshops to explain the concept of the Historic Urban Landscape ap-
the Historic Urban Landscape and to proach can assist local authorities in
discuss ways and means for its appli- their development process, illustrated
cation in China. by examples from around the world.
The central idea was to explain the

There were totally 21 participants en-
concept of the Historic Urban Land-
gaged in the course, who came from
scape in the Chinese context and
Colombia, Hong Kong, Macau, Bei-
jing, Shanghai, Nanjing (Jiangsu), Su- how it differs from the approach and
practices of urban conservation as
zhou (Jiangsu), Tongli Town (Jiangsu),
currently applied in China. Key ques-
Hangzhou (Zhejiang), Xitang Town tions addressed what different actors
(Zhejiang), Lijiang (Yunnan), Jinan
(Shandong) and Jinzhong (Shanxi). and stakeholders are involved in the

Their career and education back- city and how an integration of a va-
HUL grounds covered various fields like riety of professional disciplines and
practices can be achieved. With an
architecture, urban planning, land-
scape architecture, civil engineering, increase in complexity, an expanding
circle of stakeholders, and a wider
history, politics, public administra-
tion, economics, art design, geogra- divergence of interests, this means
phy and intangible heritage studies. that urban heritage management is
also concerned with orchestrating

The course programme lasted 4 processes, guiding people and inter-
days, which included 6 training mod- est groups, understanding different
Lecturers
Ron van OERS Cristina HAN Feng SHAO Yong WANG Lin ZHOU Jian
IAMANDI
[ SPECIAL COVERAGE ] January 2014 1

SPECIAL COVERAGE
viewpoints, letting them be heard outcomes of the discussion will be

and making them practical to broad- included in the special programme
er audiences. at Tongji Universitys Advanced
Research Institute for Architecture
The Roundtable discussions were
and Urban-Rural Planning, with in-
2013-2015 closing off the training course and stitutional assistance of WHITRAP
HUL meant to engage the participants in Shanghai, on the implementation of
sharing their experiences as decision the new UNESCO Recommendation
maker, project officer, professional or in China, with application of the His-
site manager, what type of conserva- toric Urban Landscape approach in
tion problems they experience, and several pilot cities in China over the
how they are dealing with it. The coming three years (20132015).
>>> >>> Background to the Historic Urban Landscape

2005 7 At its 29th session in July 2005 (in and intangible, international as well as
29 Durban, South Africa) the World Heritage local present in any city. It is also based
Committee recommended that the Gen- on the need to integrate the different dis-
eral Conference of UNESCO adopt a new ciplines for the analysis and planning of
Recommendation to complement and the urban conservation process, in order
29COM.5D update the existing ones on the subject not to separate it from the planning and
of conservation of historic urban land- development of the contemporary city.
OUV scapes, with special reference to the need
As indicated by the number of World
to link contemporary architecture to the
Heritage sites that are discussed by the
urban historic context (Decision 29 COM
World Heritage Committee each year at
5D). In view of an ever-increasing number
its annual session, probably most historic
of cases, where development or regener-
urban sites in many parts of the world
2005 2011 ation projects were considered a threat to
experience one or more conservation
HUL the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)
challenges. Certainly in China, where
or integrity of sites registered on the
urbanization and urban development
World Heritage List, the World Heritage
have taken on a massive scale, numerous
2011 11 10 Committee expressed a need for the es-
towns, cities and rural areas are facing
tablishment of new guidelines and tools
development pressures that impact di-
to properly assess urban development
rectly on local heritage, as well as World
http://whc.unesco.org/en/ schemes and contemporary architectural
Heritage. How local Governments should
activities/638 interventions in historic context.
deal with these pressures and challenges
HUL
From 2005 to 2011 UNESCO conducted was the main topic of the Domestic Train-

many expert meetings and consulta- ing Course on Historic Urban Landscapes.

tion workshops, under the umbrella of

the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL)

initiative, to review and update existing

guidelines for urban conservation. On

10 November 2011 this process was suc-

cessfully concluded with the adoption by

UNESCOs General Conference of the new

Recommendation on the Historic Urban

Landscape (available at http://whc.unes-

co.org/en/activities/638).

The Historic Urban Landscape is an up-
dated heritage management approach
based on the recognition and identifica-
tion of a layering and interconnection of
values natural and cultural, tangible
2 January 2014 [ SPECIAL COVERAGE ]

WHITRAP NEWS
In Focus
Cross-Cultural Studies and Insti-
tute of Anthropology of Zhejiang
2013 9 25 28
University. More than 150 scholars
and experts, as well as managers of
cultural heritage institutes from the

Great Britain, France, Italy, Australia
Hildesheim and China, attended the meeting to
HAWK) discuss from a global perspective on
WTA the innovation of heritage concept
International) and the application and promotion
of the new approach of Historic Ur-
ban Landscape in cultural heritage
2013 11 5 7 conservation and world heritage
nomination. The launching ceremo-
ny for the Development Report on

China Historic Urban Landscape

Conservation (2013) was held and the
60
Hangzhou Consensus by the Union
for Conservation of Historic Urban
Landscape was released during the
( / ) conference.
(Source: Hangzhou International City
International Conference on Sus- Study Research Center)
tainable Building Restoration
and Revitalisation-2013 Held in 150
Shanghai 2013
The International Conference on
Sustainable Building Restoration HUL 2013 11 8 17 2013
and Revitalisation-2013 was held in
Shanghai from 25 to 28 September
2013. It was organized by Tongji Uni-
2013
versity, University of Applied Scienc-

es and Arts (Hildesheim HAWK),
International Association for Science
and Technology of Building Mainte-
nance and Monument Preservation The 2nd International Confer-
(WTA International), WHITRAP ence on Cultural Heritage Held in
Shanghai, Key Lab of Ecology and Hangzhou
Energy Saving in High-density Hu- The 2nd Hangzhou International
man Settlements (Tongji University) Conference on World Cultural Heri- Koenraad
and was co-hosted by Conservation tage was held from 5 to 7 November
Van Balen
and Management Centre of Historic 2013. The conference was hosted by

Buildings (Hangzhou) and Shanghai Union for Conservation of Historic
Urban Landscape, Hangzhou Urban-
Tongji Urban Planning and Design
Institute. The conference comprises ology Research Council, Zhejiang
lectures, training and site visit, which University and the Korea Foundation
attracted more than 60 experts, for Advanced Studies, and co-host-
scholars, engineers and architects ed by Hangzhou International City
from China, the Philippines, Germa- Study Research Center (World Her- 7
ny, Hungary, Mauritius, Singapore itage Conservation Hangzhou Re- 20
and the USA. The participants intro- search Centre), Secretariat of Union
/
duced and shared experiences in the for Conservation of Historic Urban
restoration and revitalization of his- Landscape, WHITRAP, Hangzhou
toric buildings of different countries West Lake Scenic Spots and Places of 2013 Advanced Course on Con-
in terms of the theoretical research, Interest Administration Committee servation and Restoration Tech-
design and planning and application (Hangzhou Gardening and Cultur- niques of Traditional Architec-
in practice. (Editor/LI Hong) al Relics Administration Bureau), tures for the Asia-Pacific Region
and the Cultural Heritage Institute, Held in Suzhou
Asia Research Centre, Institute of From 8 to 17 November 2013, the
[ WHITRAP NEWS ] January 2014 3

WHITRAP NEWS
2013 Advanced Course on Conser-

vation and Restoration Techniques
of Traditional Architectures for the
Asia-Pacific Region was held in Su- 2013 12 17 19
zhou. This course was organized by ACCU Nara
WHITRAP Suzhou, with the theme
/
of Conservation and Restoration of

Wooden Structures in the Asia-Pa-
1994
cific Region. The training provided
participants with international the- 20
ories, methodology and techniques
of world heritage architecture con- 19
servation and restoration. Through
interactions among participants
from different countries, it aimed to ACCU
set up a professional and technical Nara ICCROM 12 18
exchange network in the related field 19 2
and promote the development of
International Symposium on 7
protection of ancient buildings in the
Revisiting Kathmandu: Safe- Shonen-
Asia-Pacific region. World renowned guarding Living Urban Heritage ji Horyu-ji
experts and scholars from the heri- Held in Kathmandu Valley
tage protection area were invited to
The International Symposium on
give lectures, including Dr. Koenraad
Revisiting Kathmandu: Safeguard- /
Van Balen (professor of K.U.Leuven
ing Living Urban Heritage was
and director of Raymond Lemaire
held from 25 to 29 November 2013,
International Center for Conserva- International Conference on
organized by UNESCO Office in
tion). The course consisted of several Revisiting Conservation Philos-
Kathmandu, Department of Ar-
topics: heritage protection concepts ophy of Wooden Structures: Res-
chaeology, Government of Nepal,
and development trends; guidelines, toration Methodology and Philos-
ICOMOS/ICORP and ICOMOS ophy of Conservation of Wooden
regulations and practices of ancient
Nepal, supported by WHITRAP and Structures Held in Nara
wooden architecture; preventive
ICOMOS Japan. More than 140 par-
protection, monitoring and mainte- The International Conference on Res-
ticipants from 22 countries gathered
nance of ancient wooden buildings; toration Methodology and Philosophy
in Kathmandu Valley and had fruit-
and restoration techniques and of Conservation of Wooden Structures
ful discussion on four interwoven
methodology of old wooden struc- was co-organized by ACCU Nara and
themes: authenticity, management,
tures. Around 20 participants from 7 WHITRAP Shanghai. The scope of the
community involvement and disaster
countries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, conference was to look into the devel-
risk management. Dr. Ping Kong,
Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Barbados, Ven- opments in conservation policies par-
representing WHITRAP, delivered
ezuela and mainland China attended ticularly concerning wooden structures
the keynote speech on Historic Ur-
the training. (Editor/WANG Qinran) over the two decades since the Nara
ban Landscape approach in the man-
Conference on Authenticity in 1994.
agement session. The four sessions
It took place in Nara from 17 to 19
of the symposium were organized at
December 2013. 19 invited experts, and
four World Heritage properties in
several observers, attended the confer-
cooperation with local authorities, to
ence representing WHITRAP, ACCU
enable participants to carry out in-
2013 11 25 29 and ICCROM, as well as governmental
depth discussion with local profes-
and research institutions in Bhutan,
sionals during site visits. The Kath-
China, Indonesia, India, Japan, Nepal,
mandu Statement as the outcome of
Sri Lanka and Vietnam. On 18 and 19
the symposium, which captures the
December, the programme consisted
discussions of the above four themes,
/ICORP of a Special Lecture on conservation
is drafted and currently circulated
philosophy, followed by two Keynote
among participants for revision. This
Speeches, and seven Reports on Case
regional exchange stressed common
22 140 Studies. On 17 December, guided visits
challenges of living urban heritage in
were organized to examine conserva-
Asia contexts and called upon col-
tion work in Shonenji Temple (Imai
laborative efforts in developing ap-
cho) and Hry-ji temple. The par-
propriate strategies and approaches
ticipants commended the initiative to
towards sustainable development and
have undertaken this collaborative ini-
conservation of living urban heritage.
tiative to address conservation philos-
(Editor/KONG Ping)
ophy and methodologies, and adopted
the conclusions and recommendations.
(Editor/LU Wei)

4 2014 January [ WHITRAP NEWS ]

RESEARCH FRONTIER
World Heritage Agricultural Landscapes

/Ana Luengo1 Written by Ana Lueng 1
H uman cultural development is World Heritage, natural heritage,

inexorably linked to the devel- and mixed cultural and natural her-
opment of agriculture, because it is itage.
essentially the cultivation of nature,

of the physical environment, which Wealth of cultural landscapes
6000 has historically shaped and engen- Cultural landscapes are understood
dered present-day landscapes. These as the combined works of nature
are the results of a rapid domestica- and man They are illustrative of
tion process initiated by Neolithic the evolution of human society and

farmers all over the world around settlement over time, under the in-
6000 BC, which was intensified by fluence of physical constraints and/
the invention of more efficient tools or opportunities presented by the
during the Copper, Bronze and, ul- natural environment and of succes-
timately, the Iron ages. sive social, economic and cultural

culture forces, both external and internal.
cultum
Overcoming environmental condi- Such unique landscapes have Out-
tions by means of technical know- standing Universal Value because
1 how developed by humans while they are deemed significant for
domesticating the physical environ- present and future generations.
ment led to growth of civilization
and its more specifically cultural This was the first time that a defini-
aspects: hence the Latin root of the tion of cultural landscape appeared
word culture is cultum, which in an international convention,
also means lands and cultivated and it was implemented the fol-
1992 plants. Brutus, in Ciceros work (1st lowing year with the statement of
century BC) assures Atticus that Tongariro National Park (New
1992
the only way to thank him for the Zealand), the culmination of a long
20 gift of a book is to try my skill in process started a decade earlier.
30 a long-neglected and uncultivated Following numerous meetings with
soil, endeavouring to improve it so experts throughout that period,

as to be able to repay your liberali- the concept of cultural landscapes
ty with interest. synthesized the progressive closing
of a gap observed in the previous
In fact, it is precisely with this word opposition between cultural heri-
culture and its deep meanings that tage and natural heritage, and led
we designate the landscapes that are to the emergence of values linked
now part of World Heritage. These to intangible heritage that in the
sites only began to be listed in 1992, following years were to gain signifi-
however, in an initiative that co- cant prominence.
incided with an celebration of the

/ anniversary of the World Heritage In 2012, twenty years after the cre-
Convention and the 30th anniver- ation of the concept of cultural
sary of the first Recommendation landscape, seventy-seven cultural
concerning the Safeguarding of the landscapes were listed around the
Beauty and Character of Landscapes world. Today, one year on, eight
and Sites, a new concept of heritage more such landscapes have been
properties appeared, the so-called added, making a total of eighty-
cultural landscapes. This concept five. All of these are classified under
was included in the Operational all three categories or perhaps we

Guidelines for the Implementation should say typologies established
of the World Heritage Convention, in Annex 3 of the Operational
along with other sites recognized as Guidelines. For a nomination to be
valid as with other properties that
may be recognized as World Her-
1
Ana LuengICOMOS-IFLA itage a series of cultural criteria
need to be met, together with con-
1
Ana Lueng, Doctor in Landscape Architecture, teacher at the European University of Madrid and mem- ditions of integrity and authenticity
ber of the International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes ICOMOS-IFLA. (see box).
[ RSEARCH FRONTIER ] January 2014 5

RESEARCH FRONTIER
Types of Cultural Landscape

From Operational Guidelines for
World Cultural
the Implementation of the World
2012 20 77 Heritage Landscape
Heritage Convention (2012, An-
criteria category
8 nex 3)
85 3
The most easily identifiable is

the clearly defined landscape de-

signed and created intentionally
by man. This embraces garden
Cultural
and parkland landscapes con-
criterion i
structed for aesthetic reasons
(i)
which are often (but not always)
associated with religious or other

monumental buildings and en-
2012 3
sembles.

The second category is the or-
i i ganically evolved landscape. This
results from an initial social,
economic, administrative, and/
or religious imperative and has
developed its present form by
association with and in response
to its natural environment. Such
landscapes reflect that process of
evolution in their form and com-
ponent features. They fall into

two sub-categories:
Cultural a relict (or fossil) landscape
iiiii ii
criteria is one in which an evolutionary
ivv
ii
(ii), (iii), process came to an end at some
(iv), (v) time in the past, either abruptly
or over a period. Its significant
distinguishing features are, how-
ever, still visible in material form.

a continuing landscape is one

which retains an active social role

in contemporary society closely

associated with the traditional

way of life, and in which the evo-

lutionary process is still in prog-
iii
vi ress. At the same time it exhibits

significant material evidence of

its evolution over time.

The final category is the asso-

ciative cultural landscape. The
inscription of such landscapes on
the World Heritage List is justi-
Cultural
fiable by virtue of the powerful
criterion iii
religious, artistic or cultural as-
(vi)
sociations of the natural element

rather than material cultural evi-

dence, which may be insignificant
ii or even absent.

6 January 2014 [ RSEARCH FRONTIER ]

RESEARCH FRONTIER
This apparent simplicity of typol- Most of these landscapes in which

iii ogies hides an impressive richness, the agrarian trilogy is still clear-
given that human civilization, ly discernible on the European
throughout its history, has man- continent have however lost their
aged to apply certain principles associative values, if indeed they
of adaptation to the environment ever had them. This is the case of
agriculture that are sufficiently resilient to the Loire Valley (France) and of
drive natures inherent and inex- certain Mediterranean landscapes
ager
silviculture
haustible dynamism by adding a Costiera Amalfitana and Porto-
silva cultural dimension that endows it venere/Cinque Terre in Italy and
husbandry with uniqueness. Serra de Tramuntana in Spain
which all possess terraced agri-
Agricultural landscapes cultural systems combined with
Saltus
In some cases, the fullest sense of sheep-rearing and living migratory
the term culture and cultivation herding routes. These are even
becomes a breathtaking reali- more manifest and characteristic
ty in the agricultural landscapes, in the neighbouring landscapes
described in cultural landscape of the Causses and the Cvennes
category (ii) in both in their relict in the South of France or in

aspect and their live or evolution- Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley
ary aspect. (Andorra), which still combine
these features with agricultural ar-
Similarly, some sites also belong eas.

to category (iii), which concerns
a sample of associative cultural Yet apart from the above-men-
landscapes whose development is tioned landscapes, this brief pre-
or was closely linked to agricul- sentation focuses on landscapes

where agrarian cultivation culti-
tural practices. In these sites, the
symbolic appropriation of the ter- vation of the land demonstrates
/ ritory naturally includes the struc- a degree of uniqueness in compar-
turing of the territory by a series ison with other productive uses
Serra de Tramuntana
of agropastoral practices known of soil. In this respect, notable on
the World Heritage List are some
as the agrarian trilogy. These
include the cultivation of fields of the landscapes that reflect our
agriculture (from the Latin ager, remotest agricultural past, such
fields); the cultivation of forests as the Kuk Early Agricultural Site
silviculture (silva, forest); and (Papua New Guinea), which at-

tests to the origins of agriculture
husbandry with the use of so-
called uncultivated lands such as in Oceania over 7,000 years ago,
sustenance pastures together with based on vegetative propagation
their pastoral routes, all of which, of plants and their domestication
taken together, was termed saltus bananas, sugar cane, taro, etc.
in Roman times. More recent examples forming
evolutionary cultural landscapes
7000
All this illustrates the complex include such sites as the Ancient
cultural identity woven into these Villages of Northern Syria (Syrian
sites whose cultivation endows Arab Republic), abandoned be-
8 them with a religious, artistic, tween the 8th and 10th centuries,
10 cultural or symbolic scope spe- or even St Kilda (United King-
cific to associative cultural land- dom) abandoned in the 20th cen-
20
scapes. This holds true in the case tury.
of Mount Wutai (China), where
agricultural and silvicultural prac- Evolution and change
tices enjoyed imperial patronage Many other agricultural landscapes
for over 1,000 years; Koutam- continue to evolve, however, bear-

makou (Togo) where the Batam- ing witness to drastic changes en-
mariba still practise agriculture, dured by the planet in the course
sheep-rearing and silviculture to- of its many millions of years of
day; or Bassari Country (Senegal), evolution. Such is the case of the
where the terraced rice field agri- Matobo Hills (Zimbabwe), where
cultural system is still exploited the San people still pursue the
by peoples equipped with special traditional practice of deliberately
knowledge. starting fires to gain farmland and

RESEARCH FRONTIER
pasture, making the area an evolu- implementation of any agricultur-

tionary landscape, which further al and husbandry production sys-
includes one of southern Africas tem required a connection to the

most impressive collections of dwellings of the population that
Val dOrcia rock paintings; or the Archaeolog- ensured its subsistence. At the time
15 bel paesaggio ical Site of Monte Albn (Oaxaca, these networks generated a num-
Mexico), which bears witness to ber of the agricultural landscapes
progressive domestication and en- described as relict, but which at

hancement of a series of vegetable the time had a significant agricul-
species some as crucial to human tural basis, such as Lop-Okanda
civilization as maize which fa- (Gabon) or Tamgaly (Kazakhstan).
/ / voured the change from nomadic Sulaiman-Too (Kyrgyzstan) has
societies to a sedentary agricul- survived the passage of time with

tural form of organization. Other its impressive mountain rising
landscapes such as Val dOrcia (It- from a plateau in which agricul-
aly) today still determinedly con- tural crops are dominant.
serve the use and distribution of
lands defined in the 15th-century It may be said that the most im-
pressive of all these landscapes are
concept of the bel paesaggio.
Subak those devoted to a single opera-
Development of all these agricul- tion, because the structure they
tural landscapes was significantly impose upon the territory in terms

affected by water culture, which of with a single variable results
17 made it possible to create such in large expanses of land that are
outstanding cases as the terraced spectacularly homogenous. This is
rice fields in the Philippines or manifest in the various rice fields,
Senegal; the cross-border landscape in the impressive landscapes of

of Fert/Neusiedlersee (Austria/ Tequila (Mexico) where the blue
Hungary), with an agricultural agave is cultivated, and unique-
system bordering the third-largest ly apparent in such vineyard
lake of Central Europe; or South- landscapes as the Upper Middle
ern land (Sweden), where medie- Rhine Valley (Germany), Wachau

val agricultural and urban patterns (Austria), Saint Emilion (France),
extend over an extraordinary plain Tokaj (Hungary), Pico Island and
the alvar with its scattering of Alto Douro (Portugal), and Lavaux
distinctive windmills. (Switzerland).
It is likely that this agricultural Many of these sites are clear ex-
modification of the environment amples of original farm and cattle
by the application of highly so- buildings now managed by count-
phisticated water management less owners who understand that

skills lent symbolic values to the their World Heritage status adds
space, as demonstrated by the sub- value to the finished product, espe-
ak systems in Bali (Indonesia), an cially when the use of traditional
expression of the Tri Hita Karana farming methods remains a prior-
philosophy; but also by the Royal ity. This is very much the case in

Hill of Ambohimanga (Magadas- Cubas coffee plantations, where
car) or Grand Pr (Canada), whose the lie of the land prevents the in-
polder system, active since the 17th troduction of other more modern
century, harks back to the days of methods, or in Viales Valley, also
the French settlers. In other places, in Cuba, where the introduction

however, it is precisely the wise use of mechanized methods was found
of water as a scarce commodity to be detrimental to the quality of
that has sharpened the ingenuity the tobacco.
of the populations. This holds true
in Konso (Ethiopia), where grati- Yet some of the true prototypes of
cultural landscapes and agricultur-
tude towards ancestors who knew
how to tend the landscape and its al activity around the world today
values is made apparent in wooden are also farming and cattle-rearing
statues and stone steles. operations that are no longer prof-

itable within the parameters of the
In addition to the necessary infra- global economy. This is the case of
structure to sustain the lands, the Stari Grad Plain (Croatia), a spec-

RESEARCH FRONTIER
tacular example the oldest and as the one that devastated Bam (Is-
best preserved of land division lamic Republic of Iran) that same
that dates back to ancient Greece. year. The site is now inscribed on
the List of World Heritage in Dan-

Prospects for the future ger.
These landscapes of outstanding
consistency and vigour face nu- Such events should not diminish
merous threats: these include the the special consideration that
loss of specialized labour associ- these landscapes inscribed on the

ated with a specific crop such as World Heritage List deserve. All
grapes or rice but also changes in are outstanding examples of social,
lifestyle brought on by conversion economic or religious needs that
to Christianity can leave sacred have evolved over time in response
(taboo) landscapes unprotected. to and in conjunction with the

2001 This has happened at such sites as natural environment. In this re-
Chief Roi Matas Domain (Vanu- spect, they are repositories of the
atu), and in the alarming case of technical and scientific knowledge

the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) of past generations which, in their
where Taliban fighters blew up the apparent simplicity, hold the key
Buddha statues in 2001, causing that will allow us to face future
2003 inestimable damage to an agricul- threats, including climate change,
tural landscape in a river plain. and to pursue the cultural devel-
opment of our global civilization.
Similarly, crop intensification,
cloning of varieties, use of herbi-
cides or pesticides, can upset the
ecological balance needed to en- 69 2013

sure the survival of the landscape. 10 ) http://pfdmedia.
The landscape is likewise subject to com/read-online/wh_69_eng_oct_2013/
changes brought on by such natu- This article was first printed in World Her-
ral phenomena as hurricanes. This itage, No. 69 (October 2013), which is an
was the case of the tornado that official UNESCO publication from the World
battered Ambohimanga (Madagas- Heritage Centre. Please see http://pfdmedia.
car) in 2003, or earthquakes such com/read-online/wh_69_eng_oct_2013/.
Focus on agricultural and agro-pastoral landscapes

2006 For a number of years the World toral Cultural Landscape in France.
Heritage Committee looked at issues Today 13 per cent of World Heritage
relating to agro-pastoral systems, sites are properties that have agricul-
especially since 2006 when the nomi- tural and/or pastoral characteristics.
2012 10 nation of the Cevennes (France) raised Nearly 75 per cent of all cultural land-
critical issues concerning Outstanding scapes on the World Heritage List have
Universal Value and agro-sylvo-pas- some agricultural or pastoral features,
toral systems. Following these discus- although they may not be the main
sions, a number of expert meetings reason for the inscription. Analysis of
took place and were presented to the the sites on national Tentative Lists in-
World Heritage Committee, including dicates that 10 per cent of them are of
13% the International Meeting on the Cul- agricultural and pastoral importance.
75% tural Landscapes of Agropastoralism Definition: Pastoralism is defined as
(October 2012, Montpellier, France), a breeding system that uses largely
which continued the work initiated at spontaneous plant resources for graz-
10% previous workshops held in Meyrueis ing, often extensively, either on a farm
(France) and Tirana (Albania). They itself, or as part of transhumance or
Pastoralism especially promoted collaboration nomadism;
among different countries around the Features: The pastoral systems, char-
Mediterranean region to look at ex- acterized by a society where farm ac-
traordinary features of movements of tivities and environments interact: In
people and animals and celebrated today's world this can be found in all
the inscription of The Causses and the major geocultural groups and regions,
Cvennes, Mediterranean agro-pas- as well as other major agricultural,

RESEARCH FRONTIER
industrial, commercial, religious and urbanization, financial and technical

artistic expressions. standardization of food production
Agricultural and agro-pastoral land- and in this respect the diversity of cul-

scapes are very present on the World tural expressions may be threatened.

Heritage List as living cultural land- Maintaining these landscapes also
enhances the quality of life of commu-
scapes, but also as relic landscapes
nities and of the planet and addresses
or as representations of this impor-
critical issues such as adaptation to cli-
tant history of humanity in rock art
mate change and risks. The challenge
sites, for example. Agricultural and
today is to make the link between
agro-pastoral landscapes expressions
protection and development choices
can also be taken into account within
and promote an integrated approach
the framework of the Convention for
to heritage and cultural components
the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultur- in the planning and development of
al Heritage as communities, practices, territories.
know-how that are shaping the land-
scape and to develop practical cultiva-
Mechtild Rssler Marie-Noel Tournoux tion or livestock are important. They Mechtild Rssler and Marie-Noel Tournoux
are also subject to industrialization, UNESCO World Heritage Centre

1995

2001ICOMOS
2004
Oaxaca

2001
milpa

2001

Boca de Nigua

2007 2012
2009
/
ICOMOS

29 Continued on Page 29

RESEARCH FRONTIER
Eight Villages in Chengyang
Dong Villages: Living Heritage in A Land of Beauty

/ Written By Sun Hua, Chen Xiao and Liu Xiudan (Peking University)
2006
2012 D ong villages were inscribed on
the Tentative List of China as
early as 2006, and by the end of 2012
lifestyle, and cultural features of
Dong villages.
they were inscribed again on the Dong houses soar into clouds
updated version. The only differ- and people can walk through the
3 ence was that the scope of villages village without going downstairs.
6 nominated have been extended from
Most Dong villages are situated
"Dong villages in Liudong and Jiu-
300 alongside mountains and rivers. As
dong areas" of Southeast Guizhou
a local saying goes, "Han people live
Province to 6 prefectures in 3 prov-
on plains, Dong people by riverside,
inces (autonomous regions).
and Miao people in mountains".
Living by riverside is the most com-
With a population of 3 million,
Dong ethnic group lives in the mon settlement pattern for Dong
villages. At the front or in the
southwest of China, mainly in Lip-
middle of Dong villages there often
ing, Congjiang, Rongjiang, Jinping,
runs a clear river or stream, along
Tianzhu, Jianhe, Sansui, Zhenyuan,
which houses of villages are distrib-
Cengong, Yuping, Shiqian, Jiangk-
uted. The most eye-catching public
ou, Wanshan, Tongren, and Song-
construction in Dong villages is the
tao of Guizhou Province, Sanjiang,
high-rise drum tower. As the sym-
Longsheng, Rongan, Luocheng, and
bol of Dong villages, it is usually
Donglan of Guangxi Zhuang Au- built on the plain or highland in the
tonomous Region, and Xinhuang, middle of villages. A plaza is built
Zhijiang, Huitong, Jingzhou, Ton- in front of it for villagers to discuss
gdao, Chengbu, Suining, Dongkou, important issues and celebrate festi-
and Qianyang of Hunan Province. vals. Grand Lusheng performances
Due to the change of times and and social activities between young
development of transportation sys- men and women are also held here.
tems, the cultural features of most Drum towers and altars of Sa are
of the above-mentioned areas are the two most important elements
no longer distinctive. Only a small of Dong villages, where social

area radiating from Liping to Con- structure is based on family names.
gjiang and Rongjiang in Guizhou, There is one or more family names
and Sanjiang in Guangxi and Ton- in every Dong village. Families of
gdao in Hunan has preserved the the same family name build their
complete settlement pattern, archi- houses around one drum tower. In

tectural style, production mode, villages with several family names,

RESEARCH FRONTIER
family groups live around their own lages, there stand rows of wood-
drum towers in different areas. De- en shelves between villages and
spite their different family names, farmland. When summer harvest

Dong people worship the same an- comes, villagers cut off rice stalks
cestress "Sasui" and every village has and hang them on shelves to air-
its own altar of Sa to worship her. dry, putting rows of golden screens
Another feature of Dong villages is around villages. Originating from
southeast China, Dong people have
wind-rain bridges. As most Dong
always been good at rice growing.
villages are situated alongside riv-
For various reasons, they moved to
ers and streams, except those near
this region where 90% of the land is
big rivers or in mountains where
mountainous area, 5% is water, and
it is not convenient or necessary
5% is farmland. They have made ev-
to build bridges, wooden bridges
ery effort to use water and wetlands
are built to make life more conve-
at riverside or on the mountains.
nient. Single-span or multi-span,
Paddy fields of different sizes and
the wooden bridges are constructed
shapes have been reclaimed in light
with layers of projecting wood,
of landforms.
which shorten the distance between
piers and reduce the shear force on
girders. Wooden corridors with tile

roofs are built on bridges and even
pavilions are built at the end of
some bridges or piers.
In Dong villages, eaves and corri-
dors of houses are connected. When
festival approaches, people gather
together to feast guests. Hence an

old saying goes, "Dong houses soar
into clouds and people can walk
through the village without going
downstairs." Pillar-supported hous-
es constructed with cedar wood

are the typical traditional houses
of Dong people. The ideal house
should have 4 stories: the ground
floor for firewood, cattle and stone
pestles, the second floor for fire-

place and the elder, the third floor

for the young, and the fourth floor
Drum tower in Yutou village
(namely the ceiling) for foodstuffs
and sundries. However, as a re- The intangible cultural heritage
sult of limited financial resources, properties of Dong villages are

many houses end up with only two also very unique. Gallaox, the most
or three stories. Dong houses are distinctive one, has been inscribed
column and tie constructions with on the Representative List of the
timber structures and tile roofs. Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hu-
Besides wooden floors, envelopes manity. As a form of folk chorus,

and separation walls are construct- gallaox is multi-part singing per-
ed with penetrating ties and inlaid formed without instrumental ac-
with wood panels. There are cor- companiment or a leader. It mimics
ridors with railings outside the the sounds of animals and flowing
houses. Bright and spacious, they water, narrates nature, labor, love,

provide a place for family members and friendship, and extols the unity
to rest and do handwork. of humans and nature. Gallaox is
popular in Dong villages of Lip-
Preserving their traditions, Dong ing, Congjiang, and Rongjiang of
villages are culturally isolated Guizhou and Sanjiang of Guangxi,
islands where 90% of the land where every Dong village has its
is mountainous area, 5% is water,
own choruses. Some villages have
and 5% is farmland. even more than 10. Antiphonal
Along the border of Dong vil- singing and singing competition

RESEARCH FRONTIER
10
are often held during festivals like raise them in harmony so that dif-
Dong Year, New Rice Tasting Fes- ferent ecological space is fully uti-
tival, and Spring Festival, when lized. Raising fish in paddy fields
Dong people dressed in traditional has therefore become an important

attire gather in front of drum tow- agricultural contribution made by
3 6 20 ers singing to their hearts content. China to the world and it has also
It is said that some singers can lead set up a good example for sustain-
their choruses to sing for 7 consec- able ecological agriculture.
utive days and nights.

After hundreds of years of evo-
The Dong villages nominated for lution, Dong villages are now
World Cultural Heritage by 3 prov- relatively stable in geographical

inces (autonomous regions), 6 pre- location and good in ecological
fectures, and 20 villages have cov- environment. Depending on their

ered the main settlements of Dong macro natural environment, the
ethnic group in which cultural expansion of villages has preserved
traditions have been preserved. the authenticity of location and
These villages, with their different environment. Public constructions
locations, ecological environments, and residential houses are all built
family branches, landscapes, and with timber and bark from sur-
cultural features, organically com- rounding forest. With traditional

prise the cultural value system of design and construction process,
Dong villages, distinguishing them architectures in villages are typical
from the cultural landscapes or of Dong ethnic group in both form
agricultural landscapes of other and style. Authenticity has been
villages at home or abroad. preserved in material and fabric,

design and form, and traditions
Containing a history of the origin,
and techniques. Heritage elements
migration, and evolution of Dong
like altars of Sa, drum towers, pla-
ethnic group, these villages, like
zas, residential houses, warehouses,
a large data base of historical and
and roads are still in use and the
cultural information, embody the
authenticity of their uses and func-
history and culture of Dong ethnic
tions are well-preserved.
group. Weathering hundreds of
years and keeping evolving, they Intangible cultural heritage items
have witnessed the fast disappear- of these villages including their
ance of cultural traditions of ethnic language, festivals, songs and
groups and constituted an import- dances, medicines, and crafts have

ant part of the diversified cultures been preserved as well, which dis-
of the world. tinguishes them culturally from
other ethnic groups like Han,
Dong villages are not only rep-
Miao, and Zhuang in surrounding
resentatives of the traditional
areas. Their social life and orga-
settlements of Dong people who
nizations have, to a large extent,
have lived in harmony with nature,
inherited the traditional manage-
but also outstanding examples of
ment pattern, and are authentic in
sustainable utilization of natural
traditional systems. Villagers have
resources and land by Dong people
preserved their natural worship for
for hundreds of years. With the
mountains and woods, as well as
rapid progress of modernization,
worship for Sa Sui and ancestors,
urbanization, and globalization,
and this reflects their spirit and
they are one of the few culturally
feelings as indigenous people.
isolated islands that have pre-
served their own traditions. Its especially worth emphasizing

that as a typical living heritage
With their authentic and harmo- property, Dong villages authentic-

nious cultural landscapes, Dong ity lies in the authenticity of indig-
villages set up a good example enous people and their communi-
of ecological agriculture. ties, which function as the carrier
of authenticity. Indigenous people
Sticky rice is the favorite food of
and their communities determine
Dong people. They plant rice in
the authenticity of Dong villages
paddy fields. In light of the habits
tangible and intangible cultural
of rice, fish, and ducks, they let fish
heritage and it is them that will
and ducks eat the pests of rice and

RESEARCH FRONTIER

Drying racks for the grain in Zhanli Old dwelling house and Wind-Rain Bridge in Gathering of villagers in Pingtan Dong Village
Village Dali Dong Village (Photo by Shi Bin)
pass on the authenticity. and broad in core protection area,

but also unique in the width,
Dong villages have strong cultural
depth, and vividness of culture.
characteristics of their own. Com-
pared with other ethnic villages In short, compared with the ag-
in southwest China like Miao vil- ricultural or cultural landscapes

lages or Zang and Qiang villages, of villages at home or abroad, the
they represent a different cultural nominated Dong villages, as an
subject and have a different ethnic organic whole, has demonstrated
culture. Compared with the cultur- its unique cultural value, which is
al landscapes of villages in other mainly manifested by diversified

regions of China, they are nei- tangible and intangible cultural
ther similar to ancient villages of heritage and typical features of
southern Anhui Province in central living heritage. Against the back-

China which reflect the traditional ground of industrialization and
social and economic structure of globalization, Dong villages in
Han people, nor similar to Hani southwest China, like a living fossil
terraces in Honghe Autonomous of agricultural civilization, ethnic
Prefecture of Yunnan Province groups, and traditional settlement
which highlight the typical agricul- culture, have outstanding cultural

tural landscape of terraces. Com- and anthropological value.
pared with the cultural landscapes
of villages in southern China, they,
like Fujian Tulou and Kaiping Dia-
olou, have reliance on architecture,

but with more diversified cultural 2013 8 25
traditions and intangible cultural h t t p : / / w w w . w h e r i t a g e s . c o m /
heritage. zazhi/20130903/139.html
More importantly, beyond the Note: This article was first printed in World
above mentioned cultural phenom- Heritage, No.25 (August 2013), which is an
ena, Dong villages are not only official publication from World Heritage

large in the number of villages, dis- Magazine in Beijing. Please see http://www.
tinctive in architectural landscapes, wheritages.com/zazhi/20130903/139.html.

CASE STUDY
Research on Protection of Ethnic Ancient Villages: a Case Study on Dong Villages *

/ 1 Written by Zhou Jian 1
I. Problems stood the heritage value of their

The first problem is relating to the houses and have them protected and
development of local tourism. Due maintained accordingly. Most of the
to underdeveloped situation of local efforts in the protection of villages,

their traditional houses in particu-
agriculture and other industries,
tourism which may take advantage lar, are initiated and sponsored by
of local cultural heritage assets government. How can these gov-
ernment-orienting efforts be trans-
means a reliable and instant path
to development for ethnic villages, formed into spontaneous actions by
villagers?
especially for those with relatively
easy access to transport. So the first
problem is about how to develop II. State of Villages
tourism for ethnic villages and to 1. Characteristics of Traditional Vil-
make it sustainable, which in turn lages

will impose more challenges regard-
ing integration of modern life style, First, traditional villages are of dis-
management issues and interaction tinctive cultural significance, which
with local communities. can be interpreted as village cultural
landscape. Second, traditional vil-

The second problem is about the lages are living communities which
awareness to protect local heritage, are in constant change every day.

especially protection of traditional By recognizing changes, we should
houses among the villagers. If the
further think about how and who
first problem is about the exter-
will manage the change, and how to
nal, the second one is from within, have villages developed in a manner
which means the daily need of where villagers are consciously in-
villagers to improve housing condi- volved in the actions to protect and

tions and living standard. According
carry on cultural traditions of their
to local traditions, when the chil- own. Third, cultural heritage of eth-
dren get married, they have to build nic villages are very vulnerable and
their own house and move out. the values are easily destroyed.
With this expansion trend of village,

more and more original houses are Another important issue is huge
replaced with modern brick ones. pressure of urban space develop-
ment arising from local accommo-
Here comes the problem on how
to improve villagers` consciousness dation needs to expand residential
areas by demolishing the old houses
of protecting and carrying on the
culture of local architecture instead and reconstructing new ones. Ac-
of pushing forward the effort from cording to surveys on more than
outside. Government authorities in 10 Dong ethnic villages, traditional
wooden structures which have been
charge of cultural heritage, tourism
1 and housing and construction have reserved in villages are less than
funded housing projects for villag- 50% to the total buildings, with less
ers to renovate buildings by them- than half in good condition. The
selves, to encourage for instance villagers have long been facing the
replacement of aluminum window pressure of limited living space and
frames and brick walls with wood- fire hazards. (see Table 1)
en ones etc. However, the villagers

themselves have not fully under- 2. Difficulties in Protection of Dong
Ethnic Villages
1
WHITRAP Firstly, great changes have taken
1
ZHOU Jian, Vice Dean and Professor of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University; place in traditional architectures in
Secretary-General of WHITRAP and Director of WHITRAP Shanghai. the villages, for instance aluminum
* 2013 and steel window frames are in-
* The article resulted from the original manuscripts and records of the 2013 Sino-French Seminar on Ru- stalled and modern structures made
ral Cultural Heritage conference. of bricks and concrete constructed.
[ CASE STUDY ] January 2014 15

CASE STUDY
12012

% %
189 69 31 36% 45%

190 55 19 29% 35%
153 26 9 17% 35%
472 161 60 34% 37%
236 56 32 24% 57%
50%
138 25 13 18% 52%
229 26 24 10% 92%
1 500 67 48 13% 72%
Table 1: Surveys on State of Traditional Houses (2012)

2
Percentage of bad-
Traditional Pe r c e n t a g e
Traditional ly-preserved tradi-
Resident house in bad of traditional
Village house tional houses to total
(household) condition houses in the
(household) traditional houses
(household) village %
%
Tangan 189 69 31 36% 45%

1 Yutou 190 55 19 29% 35%
Yangcan 153 26 9 17% 35%
Gaoyou 472 161 60 34% 37%
Pingtan 236 56 32 24% 57%
2000 2000 Hengling 138 25 13 18% 52%
200 Zhongbu 229 26 24 10% 92%
Gaobu 500 67 48 13% 72%

60%

Monthly Family Income
<200 >2000
1
Fig. 1: Newly-Constructed Houses in Xiaohuang Village
Techniques of traditional wooden of the villagers believe that tourism

architectures are broken down, with will facilitate increase in their in-
their artistic values and rational comes and 28% believe in new job
functionality simply replaced by opportunities brought by tourism.

modern ones. (see Fig. 1) Only about 12% of the villagers have
Impacts of Tourism on Daily Life
understanding of negative impacts
Secondly, there are strong demands
Increase income New jobs of tourism, such as interventions
among villagers to have their in-
to their daily life, even less than 1%
come increased and living standard
Disturb daily life Break the peace think that tourism will bring prob-
and quiet improved. According to our survey
lems of pollution. (see Fig. 2)
in Tangan Village, even as one of
the most-visited villages in the area, Thirdly, the sense of culture identity
very few families have a monthly in- among the villagers is getting weaker.
come over 2000 Yuan, and most are The surveys found that only 20% of
below, with one third less than 200 villagers know about the history of
Yuan. The surveys also show that their villages, while 50% have little
villagers would be willing to develop or even no knowledge. It is probably
2 tourism and think making-money as because that 65% of villagers have
Fig. 2: Survey the greatest benefit of tourism. 60% been out of their villages to work in
16 January 2014 [ CASE STUDY ]

CASE STUDY
28% other cities for years. The problem is

conservation practice of traditional
more than an issue of protection ofbuildings. In some villages, all hous-
rural heritage, but a real challenge in
es, new or old, wooden or concrete,
12%
front of us. (see Fig. 3) are painted the same colours with
uniformed decorations and styles in
Fourthly, we have made mistake
1% 2 the ridge, windows and doors, even
of destructive protection in our

20% 50%
65%
4
Fig. 4: Effects after renovation in Shanghao

Whether or Not Know About Reasons to Reconstruct or
the History of Village Build New Houses
Yes No A Little
4 Increase of family Need for family inns
members and shops

80%
3 5
Fig. 3: Survey Fig. 5: Survey
20% 5
the paintings. Though the acts are Villagers are granted funds to re-
3 out of good intention, the bad ef- store their houses, which gradually
fects from this mentality are one of causes passive dependence among
the cute problems we are facing. (see the villagers on external aids. Vil-
Fig. 4) lagers get used to be a receiver, and
We also have done a survey on vil- always look to the government to
lager`s motivations, which shows do the repair work. However, over
time, the mentality of the more

that a lack of enough space to ac-
commodate is the major reason to famous and beautiful the village is,
the more funds are granted is tak-
demolish the old house and rebuild
a new one. About 80% villagers ing place, and spontaneous aware-
are facing this problem due to an ness of conservation and inheritance
increase in family members when
is weakened. Our intention is to
the children get married. Less than increase villagers` income through
20% families also think about other conservation and development

utilizations of their houses such as of tourism and other sectors, and
commercial use for shops, inns and make them spend some of profits
other tourist services. (see Fig. 5) on the restoration of their own
houses. Therefore, the problem is

3. System of Conservation and De- not about technical issue, but a sus-
velopment tainable mechanism of development
by the government or other social
The current conservation of villag-
es, including development of local organizations; otherwise very prob-
tourism and other sectors, is a top- ably it will lead to an unsustainable
down system led by government. blood-transfusion development.

CASE STUDY
1
6

Fig. 6: Newly-Constructed
Houses in Dimen Village
(upper: after construction;
lower: before construction)

2 III. Strategies scape, the land owner will have to

1. to establish multilateral coopera- build new houses somewhere else

tion where new construction is per-
mitted. Policies on replacement of

The first strategy is to establish a property right should be established
mechanism of multilateral cooper- accordingly to support the plan-
6 ation. All parties should work to-
ning of villages, or the integrity and
gether to solve the problems instead
cultural values of the entire village
by government authorities or ex-
landscape will be hampered by par-
perts alone. Stakeholders concerned
ticular demands of each individual
include local government, experts
villagers.
and scholars, civil society, villagers
and eco-museums run by both state 3. to develop pilot reconstruction
or private sectors. The mechanism
schemes on traditional houses
should consider the existing inher-

ent decision-making system within Then comes the issue on how to
the traditional communities in the construct new houses. Experts
villages, which includes a communi- should be invited to help with some
ty system to balance the interests of design work, but they should be the
all parties. rural architects originated from

the villages. They will design houses
2. to identify spatial distribution of
with various scales and function
3 villages
layouts according to specific de-
The second strategy is to teach vil- mands and location of each family,

lagers where and how to build their even some free plans of folk houses

houses. In most cases, villagers al- for demonstration.
ways construct their new houses on
For some functional needs of tra-
the lands of their own, which caus-
es negative impacts on the village ditional houses, we need architects
to do the research and some explo-
landscape and heritage (see Fig. 6).
From perspective of urban planning ration work. For instance, whether
we should define the boundaries of bricks should be applied in the
construction areas for the expansion houses of Dong or Miao ethnic

of new houses, and develop rules on groups? Both wood and brick have

layout and volume of houses. We their own advantages, and with a
may have another problem about view on the evolution of architec-
the replacement policy of land. If a ture, brick-wood or brick-stone
( 7) land is delineated as non-construc- structures are both good examples
tion area by taking into account for vernacular architectures in some
the impact on integrity of the land- places. (see Fig. 7)

CASE STUDY

7
Fig. 7: Dwelling houses with brick walls
4. to develop community tourism viable policy and mechanism to
sustain the development of com-

The last issue is tourism. As tourist
munity in the long run, rather
destinations, each village is more
than simply granting subsidies for
like a tourist community instead
poverty-alleviation, renovation and
of community tourism where all
conservation in a direct manner.
villagers get involved in tourism.
Besides, government should set up
The ultimate aim is more than to
a platform for the participation of
increase the revenue and attract
community, and to play an active
more tourists, but to improve vil-
role in local capacity building, in-
lagers` capacity of management, the
stead through some family inns or
cultural consciousness and ability
restaurants led by few local tourism
of employment. Any development,
companies.
either tourism or other sectors,
if fails to facilitate the improve- Tourism Company: should first
ment of villagers` personal ability make sure a reasonable percentage
to work, adaptability to changes of revenue is returned to the village

in outside surroundings, and the to promote its development, as well
awareness and recognition of their as the specific amount, the receiver
own cultures, is sustainable in na- and the utilization. Second, there
ture. Therefore, we should give should be a transparent and equal
consideration to the roles of each contract between the company and
player. the village regarding each others

obligations and responsibilities, as
Community: including villagers
well as other issues like property
and their organizations should
and land renting. Tourism compa-
strengthen their own capacities
nies should also facilitate the capac-
through participation in tour-
ity building of local community.
ism. They should be trained and
equipped with necessary techniques Social Organization: including ex-

and knowledge, and protect their perts and universities, should give
own cultural resources, including support to the capacity building of
the traditional organizations and local communities, such as provid-
mechanisms. ing trainings and introduce experts
to do the consultation. Social orga-

Government: should first develop
nizations are the coordinator and
a set of policies to support com-
platform between government and
munity`s sustainable development,
community, to ensure smooth com-
including regulations on the source
munication in between and facili-
and assignment of funds. Wheth-
tate to solve conflicts due to misun-
er the subsidy should be given for
derstanding and bad exchange.
free? What are obligations of villag-
ers, tourists and tourist companies?
Government should formulate a

CASE STUDY

Sternenfels
Protection and Regeneration of Industrial Heritage in Rural Areas in Germany
A Case Study in Sternenfels, Baden-Wrttemberg
/ Written by Jinpeng Liu (Staedtebau-Institut, Universitaet Stuttgart)
With their favorable locations, tion. For local government, they, as

industrial land and architectural industrial heritage, are both trea-
heritage in urban area, especially sure and burden. How to protect

downtown area, can be successfully and regenerate these old industrial
transformed into service sector (e.g. architectures in rural area? Sternen-
office buildings, hotels, restaurants, fels of Baden-Wrttemberg provides
shopping malls, recreational centers, a different answer.

design and creativity studios, etc.).
1970 Unlike them, industrial heritage in
I. Development Crisis and Project
rural area is faced with an innate
Decision
defect, namely the inadequacy in The study is based on the case of
follow-up utilization.
Gemeinde Sternenfels, Baden-Wrt-
With the deepening of the revolu- temberg, a state of Germany where

tion of IT industry since late 1970s, industry is fairly developed. With
electronic information and automa- beautiful environment and pleasant
tion have been gradually grouped terrain and climate for vineyards,
into the secondary industry. Influ- the town is situated in a traditional
enced by it, traditional manufactur- Riesling region in southwest Ger-

ing industry declined fast in rural many. As a part of Nature Park
Germany. Factories closed, workers Stromberg-Heuchelberg, it also has
Sternenfels lost their jobs, and small towns with a lot of tourist resources, includ-
industry and commerce as main- ing Wrttemberger Weinstrae,
stays were unprecedentedly impact- Schlossberg, etc. Its population to-
ed. Old factories in ancient towns taled 1,500 in 1975, and by the end
particularly became the victims of of 2009, that number increased to
social and economic transforma- 1850 (see Table 1).
Gemeinde
Sternenfels 1Sternenfels
1975 2000 2009
1555 1606 1850
Naturpark Stromberg- 42 31 17*
( / ) (7 / 35) (1 / 30) (4 / 13*)
Heuchelberg
450 1020 904**
Wrttemberger Weinstrae
/
- 812 / 826** 734 / 857**
Schlossberg
1975 1500 2009 * 2007 ; ** Diefenbach
1850 1
Table 1: Structural Data of Sternenfels

1970 1985
Development Data 1975 2000 2009
Resident population 1,555 1,606 1,850

Sternenfels Local agricultural enter- 42 31 17*
Pendelgemeinde prises
(Full time / Part time) (7 / 35) (1 / 30) (4 / 13*)
Sternenfels
Local job positions 450 1020 904**

Inward commuter pop-

ulation /
- 812 / 826** 734 / 857**
Outward commuter
population

* Data of 2007; **Including data of the rural community of Diefenbach


CASE STUDY
18
1988
Gewerbepark
Sternenfels
1 Sternenfels
1905 Fig. 1: The location of Schweitzer Regeneration Project in Sternenfels
(Messwerkzeugfabrik Schweitzer 1)
Grnder-
und Innovationszentrum 2
1997-2000 Sternenfels
Deutsche Telekom 2 1905

Fig. 2: Messwerkzeugfabrik Schweitzer, which was established in 1905, has been regen-
erated into a service center for innovation and entrepreneurs.
Under the impact of information dle 18th century, had long since in-
20 250
technology, small-sized local man- jected creation and innovation into
ufacturing enterprises closed one the blood of local people. Engaged
after another and two thirds of job in processing, manufacturing and
positions were lost from 1970 to research for generations, residents
1985. Unless the trend could have refused to accept jobs in tourism.
Akademie
been effectively contained, Stern- Furthermore, the employment a
Sternenfels tourist town could provide was too
enfels would become a Pendelge-
Dienstleistungstzentrum meinde in near future. With a large limited to satisfy the local demand,
number of vacant factories, Stern- and the risk of shrinking young
population was quite high.
Informations- enfels reached the cross road of its
destiny. Two opinions were formed
und Kommunikationstechniken, IKT)
in the town council. One was to II. Industrial Heritage of Schweitzer
utilize the town's favorable location
In order to implement the strate-
3TeleGIS and scenic resources to transform it gy to develop local manufacturing
into a tourist town, and the other industry, Sternenfels took the first
was to face up to difficulties and measure in 1988, which was to
restore its manufacturing industry set up a high-tech industrial park
with new technology. After fierce (Gewerbepark). In light of the

discussion and vote, and with the parks sustainable development,
support of the majority, the latter, local government set its sights on
the more challenging one, was cho- a vacant factory near the towns
sen by the town council. The choice center, Messwerkzeugfabrik Sch-
was, in fact, an inevitability of his- weitzer which was established in

TelePower tory. The industrial development of 1905 (see Fig. 1). Witnessing the
the town, which originated in mid- towns industrial development, the

CASE STUDY
service, education, and community

service, latest network information
and communication technology
was fully utilized. Among the 4
main sectors constructed (see Fig.
3), TeleGIS Innovations Center was
the core. Aiming at incubating
new-tech enterprises, it provided
enterprises with information and
technology communication among
political, commercial, and academic
circles, e.g. to accomplish admin-
istrative approval and tax affairs of
enterprises through virtual office, to
share information with commerce
chamber, big regional enterprises,
and institutions through internal
network, to hold regular joint meet-
3Sternenfels ings of political, commercial, and
academic circles to share new tech-
Fig. 3: The 4 main sectors constructed by Grnder- und Innovationszentrum of Sternenfels nology, to organize regular visits to
through network information and communication technology big regional enterprises, to organize
enterprises to join in industrial ex-
4 hibitions, and to hold marketing
activities. In addition to that, Tele-
Power Tele-Service-Center provided
Fig. 4: Partitioning the old workshops of Schweitzer not only provided offices for enterprise remote services (such as network
incubation base, but also satisfied the demand for space of service organiations including maintenance, hotlines, etc.) for
Tele-Service-Center, training classroom, post office, bank, travel agency, etc. small-sized enterprises at favorable
prices, and the further education
century-old factory turned out a school offered online courses for
victim of changing times. To con- employees of enterprises (see Fig. 4).
4
serve and transform it into a center For the first time, public and private
KOMM-IN
for innovation and entrepreneurs service suppliers gathered together
(Grnder- und Innovationszentrum, at the community service center
see Fig. 2) was but a flash of thought named KOMM-IN. Besides police
of local government. The original station, post office, bank, newspaper

intention was that as the factory office, insurance company, travel
shut down because of information agency, and caf, governmental con-
technology, why not regenerate it venience service terminals that had
Marktplatz with new technology. From 1997 been far from rural areas came into
to 2000, Sternenfels participated in the life of rural residents through
KOMM-IN
the Information Network Joint virtual office for the first time. A
Action launched by Baden-Wrt- small town Marktplatz came into
temberg and Deutsche Telekom. being in an era of network informa-

With the financial and technical tion. Now, the remote service mode
support of state and federal gov- of KOMM-IN has been popularized
ernment, abandoned constructions in rural areas of Germany. One of
of Schweitzer were rejuvenated. its distinctive advantages is that
Sternenfels Workshops were partitioned into with the expansion of convenience
offices from 20 to 250m2 in size and service into rural areas through

leased to entrepreneurs and small- virtual office, unnecessary trips of
sized enterprises at a very low rent rural residents have been spared.
until they got successful and moved
into the high-tech industrial park.
Besides, through reorganizing in- III. Significance and Inspiration of
the Project
ternal traffic, building vertical traf-
fic core and expanding on a small With the successful implementation
scale, a further education school of industrial heritage protection and
(Akademie Sternenfels) and a small regeneration project in Sternenfels,

community service center (Dien- its demonstration effect becomes
2000 Sternenfels more and more apparent. As with
stleistungstzentrum) were also built
- - here. In this center of entrepreneur the original intention, its signifi-

CASE STUDY
cance lies not just in industrial her- tered a transformation period and
itage conservation, but also in its timely measures must be taken.
unique thought and answer to the
Sternenfels Second, during the progress of the
challenges brought about by eco-
nomic and social transformation and project, Public-Private-Partnership
at the local level, namely effective
technological revolution. Industrial
interaction between the government
heritage has been rejuvenated by new and people for the same goal, is
information technology, and the life
ELR also key to its success. Opinions of
and employment of rural residents
Deutsche Telekom have been benefited. The project the public are taken into thorough
consideration while development
marks a milestone in the sustainable
strategies are made. At the begin-
regeneration of rural areas in Ger-
ning of the project, government, as
many and even the Europe. In 2000,
Sternenfels, as the representative of the service supplier, has considered
how to build an effective platform
Baden-Wrttemberg, took the proj-
for public and private cooperation,
ect to Expo 2000 Hannover (Theme: and how to encourage, through fi-
Humankind, Nature, Technology) to
PPPPublic-Private- nancial or service incentives, local
show the world the achievements of
Partnership Germany in this field. Faced with the residents and natives studying or
working outside (especially those
crisis of traditional manufacturing
studying or working in universities,
industry, Sternenfels has found an institutes, and big enterprises) to
uncommon road and regenerated its
come back and start their own busi-
industrial heritage with new technol-
ogy. Two lessons have been learned nesses. In addition to favorable loan
policies, the platform also provides
from the operation and progress of
entrepreneurs with cheap offices,
the project:
free consultancy for the first 3 years,
First, once the strategy to continue and assistance in marketing. In fact,
developing traditional manufactur- these measures have proved equally

ing industry is determined, financial effective in private investment and
support from superior government employment growth. According to
(ELR Rural Development Plan of incomplete statistics, the number
Baden-Wrttemberg) and regional of innovative manufacturing enter-
cooperation (an internal network prises newly established has totaled
2004
integrating local political, commer- 60 by 2004, and 750 jobs have been
60 750 cial, and academic resources has created (see Fig. 5). Strong perfor-
5 been built by Deutsche Telekom) mance of the data has enhanced
Sternenfels become necessary prerequisite for local population and employment,
the project. The whole society, brought Sternenfels through the
especially academic and political crisis, and realized the strategy to

circles, should realize that with the regenerate local manufacturing in-
approaching of information revolu- dustry.
tion, economy and society have en-
Jobs
Year
5Sternenfels
Fig. 5: The number of jobs in Sternenfels over the years

ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION

2013
Safeguarding Villages and Arousing Cultural Consciousness
Voices from the 2013 Sino-French Seminar on Rural Cultural Heritage
/ Written by Guizhou Provincial Administration of Cultural Heritage (China)
Cultural Heritage should be the focus of sustainable develop-

ment
Guy Amsellem (President of Cit de larchitecture et du patrimoine)
Our method is to interact between inheritance and innovation,

memory and development, education and communication.
I believe, as the engine of social and economic development
and powerhouse of living quality and innovation, cultural

heritage should be the focus of sustainable development. The
protection and development of it shall be achieved through in-
tercultural communication and mass participation.
In our practical work, we should realize that cultural variety is
not only a key momentum of development but also a catalyst

of human harmony. Learning from past experience, we should
protect cultural heritage while developing tourism to avoid
the damage of short-term commercial activities. Whats more,

adopting various methods is the guarantee of success in cultural
heritage protection. A unified and standard method will lead to
nothing but disharmonious conventions. Meanwhile, innovation
should be highly valued in cultural heritage protection. Only in
this way can we realize the accumulation of culture, society, and
human being.

Practice of rural Cultural Heritage protection in Guizhou

Chen Shunxiang (Director of Guizhou Provincial Center for the Research of Cultural
Heritage Protection)
Rural cultural landscape contains two aspects, the tangible and

intangible. The tangible refers to visible cultural landscape that
has color and form, i.e. settlement, architecture, apparel, people,

street, etc. The intangible refers to invisible and imperceptible
cultural landscape that is significant to the development of land-
scape, i.e. ideology, lifestyle, customs, religion, relations of pro-
duction, etc.

Centering on the concept, Guizhou has innovated in rural cultur-
al heritage protection. Looking back on our practice, we could
find our concept of rural cultural heritage protection has been
gradually enriched and improved through unremitting efforts
in ethnic village, ecologic museum, cultural heritage site under

protection, historic cultural village, intangible cultural heritage,
village cultural landscape, etc. In general, the concept of cultural
heritage protection has evolved from individual case to group
and then to surrounding area, from the protection of tangible
and intangible cultural heritage to combination of both, from

static protection to dynamic protection, from simple protection
to sustainable development, and from the protection by govern-
mental organizations to participation by society, communities,
organizations, and multi-disciplines.

24 January 2014 [ ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION ]

To enable traditional villages to form their own blood

Zhou Jian (Vice Dean and Professor of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning,
Tongji University)
Traditional ethnic villages have both the characteristics of tra-

ditional Chinese villages and their own particularities. The par-
ticularities are reflected by their comparative independence and

vulnerability of culture, introversion and comparative closure of
society, self-sufficiency of industries, and backwardness of condi-
tions.

To solve these problems, we cant just rely on government. Whats
more, protection from outside and above usually result in oppo-
site effects and bring about protective damage. The reason can
be attributed to three aspects. First, we lack a protection plan to
coordinate all parties. Second, protection activities have little sus-
tainable benefit. The follow-up effects of most protection activi-
ties are small and theres no evaluation in the later stage. Third,
protection activities are independent, which is impossible to pro-
duce any overall and comprehensive effect.
Therefore, the key problem in the protection of traditional ethnic
villages is that we havent included villagers and traditional com-
munities into our protection mechanism. Meanwhile, the protec-

tion mechanism hasnt brought sustainable and substantial growth
to the income of villagers.
The protection and development of traditional villages calls for

coordinated participation by communities (villagers), govern-
ment, travel agencies, and third parties. Participating in tourist
service, villagers and communities can improve their capability,
learn more knowledge and skills, and safeguard their cultural re-
sources. Avoiding taking everything on itself, the government
should make sustainable policies to support community develop-

ment, build platforms for community participation, and carry out
community capacity building. Travel agencies should distribute
their income reasonably to reward villages, guarantee the fairness
and openness of village contracts, and provide service for commu-
nity capacity building. The third parties should help with com-
munity capacity building, build communication and cooperation
platforms for communities and government, and provide advice
for communities. The purpose of coordination among the four
parties is to change the blood-transfusion way of protection and
enable traditional villages to form their own blood.
To protect and develop mountain culture at the same time

Regis Ambroise (French Agricultural Engineer and Planner, Former Head of Landscape
Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture of France, Member of World Mountain People As-
sociation)
1972 Since 1972, the French government has developed and implement-
ed a series of policies to protect mountain landscape. The policies

include four aspects: first, the government gives allowances to
mountain peasants and helps them get more benefit; second, the
government helps mountain peasants raise the price of agricultur-
al products, makes favorable policies for the sale of agricultural
products from mountain areas, raises prices, and develops a price
protection system for products from origin; third, the govern-
ment helps mountain peasants with employment and encourages

them to go into other industries during slack season; fourth, the
government makes tough regulations to prevent the damage of ex-
cessive urbanization on mountain landscape and stipulates that all
activities in mountain areas must comply with regulations.

As the concept of sustainable development spreads, people begin
to reconsider the problem of mountain agriculture and try to find
[ ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION ] January 2014 25

a new mode of production. In fact, peasants have already trans-

formed the unique culture and knowledge of mountain areas into
production. Through management of land resources and other

common property, they have increased the value of local resourc-
es and unfavorable areas. New business models have been found
and set up on the basis of recognition and approval of biological
quality. It has been proven that the cost of agriculture no longer
outweighs its benefit. The protection of mountain landscape and
development of ecological tourism can be realized at the same
time through development of mountain agriculture and improve-
ment of product quality.
Protection of rural architecture demands cultural conscious-

ness
Pan Nianying (Professor of the College of Humanities, Hunan University of Science and
Technology)

Ten years ago, the rural architecture of Guizhou kept its tradition-
al layout, of which wooden constructions composed the major
part. However, it has been transformed with the acceleration of
urbanization. Wooden constructions have been replaced by brick
or reinforced concrete ones. Compared with traditional architec-
ture, these constructions have both advantages and disadvantages.

The biggest advantage is their fire resistance has been greatly im-
proved, and the worst flaw is the loss of traditional aesthetics.
Based on it, three forms have studied and summarized for the
transition of Guizhous rural architecture. The first is original
form, in which countryside has been hardly developed and origi-

nal architectural forms and natural landscape have been preserved.
35% This group of villages accounts for 35% of all traditional villages
in Guizhou. The second is urbanized form, in which original
60%
culture has disappeared in the process of industrialization and
urbanization. This group of villages accounts for 60% of the total.
The third is combined form, in which local government has, for
the purpose of developing ethnic cultural tourism, carried out
protective development to preserve the original culture of villages.
In the meantime, modern civilization has been introduced as well.
5%
This group of villages makes up 5% of the total.
So the protection and development of Guizhous rural architec-
ture demands deeper cultural consciousness. Besides the update of
development concept and improvement of technical means, long-
term education on architectural aesthetics must be held for vil-

lagers. Only with the appreciation for traditional beauty can they
perfectly combine the modern with traditional.
To break the besieged city psychology in the protection of

village culture
Suo Xiaoxia (Researcher of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences, Editorial Director
and Executive Editor of Guizhou Social Sciences Magazine)
Villagers are the core of community cultural ecology of tradition-

al ethnic villages in Guizhou. Their understanding of communities

is different from the outsiders. In the opinion of outsiders, an-
cient and traditional ethnic villages, as well as original landscape
and customs, should be preserved. Whereas, what villagers want
are wealth families and big houses. Thats why traditional ethnic
villages become besieged cities.
In fact, traditional rural communities provide cultural room for

the inheritance and development of traditional ethnic culture.
It is not only the birthplace of gene for cultural innovation, but

also the platform for ethnic culture to show its unique glamour
in a living form in an era of open culture. Moreover, its also the
realistic prerequisite for the cultural ideal of individual beauty
and common beauty in the overall layout of integrated Chinese

culture.
Therefore, in the process of urbanization and modernization, a
variety of policies should be implemented for the protection and
development of community cultural ecology of traditional ethnic
villages in Guizhou, including rural culture inheritance and de-

velopment policy that ensures rural cultural communities full of
vitality, overall planning policy that specifies protection and de-
velopment activities, implementation body policy that integrates

diversified functions, selective policy that specifies what to do and
what not to do, win-win policy for cultural environment and eco-
logical environment, and development and protection policy that
ensures the interdependence of both.
Archaeological development facilitates the redevelopment of

traditional villages
Dong Wei (Vice Dean and Professor of the School of Architecture, Southeast University)
The planning and construction of Kele National Archaeological

Park is a brand-new exploration aimed at fostering the co-existence
and co-prosperity of heritage conservation and social economic de-

velopment and boosting the urbanization of poverty stricken areas
and scientific development of grand heritage sites.
We believe Kele National Archaeological Park should have the fea-

tures of grand heritage site, grand culture, grand economy,
and grand transformation. Therefore, we have reconsidered its
orientation and planning with a view to providing new ideas for
the re-development of traditional villages against the background
of urbanization.
First, sticking to national urbanization strategies and catering to
local social and economic development needs, we should give full

play to the Parks historic and cultural value, facilitate innovations
in culture industry, and build a new archaeological park town
that integrates and promotes the simultaneous development of
ecological agriculture, natural environment, and cultural heritage.
Second, development of ecological agriculture and environment

industry is the important economic basis of Kele National Archae-
ological Park. We should set up examples, create brands, broaden
structural adjustment of agriculture and environment industry, and

develop new products suitable for the development of Kele. Third,
seizing the opportunity of major national and provincial infrastruc-
ture projects, we should duly develop cultural tourism in Kele on
the solid basis of archaeological research and historical and cultural
research. Fourth, the protection and management of villages should
be strengthened. Instead of standardized design, new constructions

should be featured with traditional ethnic culture to avoid being
symbolized or tagged.
To return the rights of protection and development to villagers

Bertrand Gauvrit (Director of the Syndicat Mixte du Grand Site Puy Mary Volcan du
Cantal, Rseau des Grands Sites de France)

Grand Landscape Site is set up to explore new mode of devel-

opment. It is our belief and work principle that: though Grand
Landscape Site is an area under national protection, its rights of

development and management should belong to local manage-
ment. Whether landscape protection or economic development,

local management shall be responsible for that.

The best tool to protect a landscape site is neither law nor policy,
but people. Local residents constitute the core force of protec-

tion. It has been proven that its of great significance to respect
local residents and return development and management rights to
them.
We have done some exploration in our actual work. The first is to
define the scale of landscape site. We would enlarge its boundaries,

include relevant elements into management, evaluate its capacity,
and strictly restrict the number of visitors.
Then, features of the landscape site are preserved. Its very im-

portant to preserve its entire characteristics. While preserving
primary resources, we also take into consideration the psychology
of visitors. We show them not only picturesque view but also hu-
manistic landscape and cultural features.
The last is to provide residents with a comfortable life and devel-
oped society. Only organic development of the landscape site can

offer visitors real beautiful view, connect them to the landscape,
and promote sound development of local economy.
Our concept is to build balance among landscape site, visitors,
and residents. Without affecting the daily life of residents, land-
scape resources will be properly developed and used and the spir-

it of each landscape site will be preserved to contribute to the
growth of local economy.

Severing village system will result in Isolated Islands

Sun Hua (Professor of the School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University)
In recent years, the policy of planning in advance is pursued in

cultural heritage conservation in China. Its irrational that some

planners rushed into planning without thorough understanding of
the history, status quo, and value of villages. In fact, rural cultural
landscape is a kind of complex cultural heritage, whose protec-
tion and development involve sharp conflicts. Its planning is quite
challenging.

Before planning for the protection and development of rural
heritage, we should conduct a detailed survey of the area to get a
comprehensive grasp of the villages in it. Then we compare the

value of each people or villages in each natural geographical unit,
and sort villages with different values into different protection
levels. Thus the scope and focus of protection are determined.
No village is isolated. To protect a village, we should not only
protect itself, but also protect the village system it exists in. It
must be avoided that the natural evolution tradition of surround-

ing villages are severed when one or several villages are protected.
Otherwise, villages under protection will lose the cultural envi-
ronment their natural development needs and become an isolated
cultural island and a fixed and alienated historical site that only
serves tourism. Attention should be paid to the problem partic-

ularly in the current tide of village merge and construction of
new socialist countryside. Historical connection, blood ties, and
kinship among villages shall be noted. Severing the ties through

administrative means doesnt comply with the policy of building
harmonious society.
As a synthesis of culture, villages contain not only tangible and
intangible culture, but also the natural environment of the two
cultural elements. To protect rural cultural landscape, we should
protect both village architecture and the farmland and environ-

ment villages exist in. We should preserve the cultural veins of
villages and include them into the modern multicultural society.

Villagers are experts of rural cultural heritage protection

Isabelle Marechal (Vice Director of the Heritage Branch of French Ministry of Culture
and Communications)
To protect rural cultural heritage, we must protect the entire vil-

lage system in an area rather than a single village. It requires us to
combine overall thinking with local action.
=
With the growth of global economy, the rapid development of
China has drawn worldwide attention. After the World War II,
almost all historical constructions in France have been renovated.

Its quite likely that China will come across the same situation.
So its imminent to find proper ways to preserve village landscape
and its culture.
I think it is a proper way to give the matter a further thought.
Before making protection plans, we should conduct field study
and grasp a thorough understanding of the history, culture, cus-
,
toms, and landscape environment of villages through careful
study, survey, and research. This is the basic condition. In the
meantime, we should also encourage villagers to participate in
cultural heritage protection, which concerns not only democracy,
but also efficiency. Villagers are experts of rural cultural heritage
protection. The teaching of skills, inheritance of culture, and tran-

simission of spirit all rely on them. We should learn from their
experience.

Note: The article resulted from the original manuscripts and records of the confer-
ence. The speakers are organized in the order of speech at the conference.
10 Continued from Page 10
Agricultural Landscapes on the World Heritage List

Crops, production
Meetings, thematic studies World Heritage List Tentative Lists
systems
Philippine mountain ranges, subak system in Bali
Regional thematic meeting,
Rice terrace systems Province (Indonesia), Honghe Hani terraces (Chi-
Philippines, 1995
na)
Five inscribed vineyards: Saint-milion (France),
Meeting of experts, Tokaj (Hun- Champagne and Bourgogne
Tokaj (Hungary), Alto Douro and Pico (Portugal),
Vineyards gary), 2001. ICOMOS thematic (France), Pimont and Prosecco
Lavaux (Switzerland) and several cultural land-
study, 2004 (Italy), Cape Region (South Africa)
scapes where vines are prominent
Prehistoric Caves of Yagul and Mitla in Oaxaca
Meeting of experts on Car-
Valley, Mexico (oldest evidence of domestication
Associated crops, maize ibbean plantation systems,
of gourds and maize, two of the three crops of
Suriname, 2001
milpa agriculture)
Kuk Early Agricultural Site (Papua New Guinea),
Tubers, taro
region of cultivation of taro since Neolithic times
Meeting on desert and oasis Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauri-
Palm trees, oases Palmeral of Elche (Spain)
landscapes, 2001 tania
Archaeological landscape of first coffee planta-
Coffee
tions (Cuba), Colombian coffee landscape
Agave landscape and industrial installations in Boca de Nigua rum refinery and
Alcohols, sugar
Tequila (Mexico) distillery (Dominican Republic)
Cinque Terre and Amalfi coast (Italy), Alto Douro
Mediterranean terrace
(Portugal), Lavaux (Switzerland) may also be in-
systems (e.g. olives)
cluded in this category
African terraces Sukur (Nigeria), Konso Region (Ethiopia)
Three meetings of exper ts
Mediterranean
(France, 2007 and 2012, Alba- Causses and Cvennes (France) Mesta livestock trails (Spain)
pastoralism
nia, 2009)
ICOMOS study under prepara- Mont Perdu (France/Spain), Hortobgy National
Other pastoralism
tion Park (Hungary), Laponian Area (Sweden)

HERITAGE KNOWLEDGE

Introduction to Policies on Protection of Villages in China
/ 1 Written by LI Yanning 1
20 In the middle of the 20th century, at the national level in four group
ICOMOS the international academia started lists.
to pay attention to ancient villages
On 2 April 2008, the State Council
around the world, with the an-
nouncement of documents such as promulgated the Regulation on
the Protection of Famous Histor-
30 Resolution on the Conservation
ical and Cultural Cities, Towns
of Smaller Historic Towns and
and Villages, which sets out that a
Charter on the Built Vernacular
20 80 city, town or village meeting the
Heritage by ICOMOS. About 30
sites of the village and town types following conditions may apply
for being a famous historical and
have been listed as World Heritage
cultural city, town or village: (1) the
by UNESCO. cultural relics preserved there are
Since the late 1980s, researches particularly rich; (2) the historical
on ancient villages in China have buildings there are clustered; (3) the
started, with studies on residential traditional pattern and the histori-

buildings, village environment, cal style and features are preserved;
21 2000 cultural space and tourism devel- and (4) it has ever been a political,
2002 opment conducted by experts from economic, cultural, transportation
architecture, geology, urban de- center or an important military
signing and tourism. These studies place in the history, or has gone
2003
facilitate to promote the protection through any important historical
and conservation of local history events, or its traditional industries
and culture of villages through- or major projects built in the his-
out the country, with a group of tory have ever produced important
well-preserved vernacular buildings influences on the development of

listed as important heritage sites the local place, or it is able to col-
108 under protection at the municipal, lectively reflect the cultural or eth-
2008 4 2 provincial and national levels. nical features of local buildings.
In 21st Century, the southern Anhui On 16 April 2012, Ministries of
1 Villages was included in the World Housing and Rural-Urban De-
Heritage List in 2000, and 2 years velopment, Culture, Finance and
23
later, provisions on the protection State Administration of Cultural
4 of towns or villages with histori-
Heritage issued the Notice on
cal and cultural value were speci- the Survey on Traditional Villag-
fied in Law of the People's Republic es(hereinafter referred to as the
of China on Protection of Cultural Notice), requesting departments

Relics. Since 2003, several groups of of housing, culture, finance and
towns and villages with an unusual
administrations of cultural heritage
2012 4 16 wealth of cultural relics of import- of provinces, autonomous regions,
ant historical value or high revolu- or municipalities to count the num-
tionary memorial significance, or ber of traditional villages in China,
201258
the ones with a relatively complete to strengthen the protection and
presentation of traditional land-
improvement of the villages and to
scapes and local ethnic character- conduct joint investigation on the
istics of a certain historic period, number, types, distribution and val-
have been nominated, verified and ues as well as the living conditions

announced by Ministry of Housing of traditional villages in China. The
and Rural-Urban Development
four government ministries will
and State Administration of Cul- specify a list of traditional villages
tural Heritage as famous villages under state protection based on the
or towns of historical and cultural survey results and value of the vil-

value. A total of 108 villages have lages, and build a set of system for
been announced as famous ones
the scientific protection after the
1 listing.

The Notice gives a preliminary
1
LI Yanning, PhD, Assistant Researcher, Advanced Research Institute of Architecture and Urban-Rural Plan-
ning, Tongji University definition of traditional villages,
30 January 2014 [ HERITAGE KNOWLEDGE ]

HERITAGE KNOWLEDGE
1 and specifies the conditions for a The Opinions consists of two

traditional village, including: (1) parts: the first one defines the con-
integrity of the traditional archi- notations of traditional villages
1/32
tectural style: with a concentration and points out the significance and
coverage of historic buildings, necessity for protection; the sec-
vernacular buildings and cultural ond part specifies the fundamental
3 heritage or with the number of principles of protection and tasks
the above constructions exceeding in terms of protection and develop-
:
more than one thirds of the total ment.
buildings in the village; (2) tradi-
Based on the review of relevant
2012 12 12 tional features maintained in terms
studies in China, the concept
of the selection of site and pattern: of village refers to a house-
the site selection of the village
2012184 hold-based spatial unit inhabited
keeps its distinct and local features,
by a number of populations in a
and the pattern of the village shows
certain age structure, which op-
a typical distinction of the tradi-
erates on land and biological re-
tional culture of the place and is sources in the region. A village, or
well preserved in general; (3) active
known as rural settlements, means
and dynamic transmission of intan-
a particular residential settlement
gible heritage: rich assets of intan-
or hamlet. Currently, there is no
gible cultural heritage and distinct
such a unified definition of village
ethnic features.
and traditional village in Chinese
On 12 December 2012, the Guiding academia yet, with various inter-
Opinions on Strengthening the pretations from architecture, geog-
Protection and Development of raphy and sociology.

Traditional Villages (hereinafter
In this context, the Opinions, as a
referred to as the Opinions) was
follow-up document of the Notice,
jointly issued by three Ministries of
describes the traditional villages
Housing and Rural-Urban Devel-
as an early village, which shall be
opment, Culture and Finance.
protected, with abundant tradition-
The Opinions defines the funda- al resources and of historic, cul-
mental principles and tasks of the tural, scientific, artistic, social and
protection and development of economic value. For the first time,
traditional villages, and calls for the Opinions gives a relatively com-
continuous efforts to do the sur- prehensive definition of traditional
veys on traditional villages, includ- villages and its connotation, which
ing establishing a list system for is a village with both tangible and
traditional villages, and tracking, intangible cultural heritage and of
monitoring and building a graded a relatively high value in terms of
management system for the their history, culture, science, arts, soci-
state of conservation as well as for ety and economy.
the implementation of the plans.
>>> >>> Links for Chinese References:

1. 1. Notice of Ministries of Housing and Rural-Urban Development, Culture,
[2012]58 Finance and State Administration of Cultural Heritage on the Survey on Tradi-
http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2012-04/24/content_2121340.htm tional Villages, http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2012-04/24/content_2121340.htm
2. 2. Notice of Ministry of Housing and Rural-Urban Development on Issuing the
2012125 Evaluation and Verification Measures for Traditional Villages (Trial), http://
http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/zcfg/jsbwj_0/jsbwjczghyjs/201208/ www.mohurd.gov.cn/zcfg/jsbwj_0/jsbwjczghyjs/201208/t20120831_211267.
t20120831_211267.html html
3. 3. Guiding Opinions of Ministries of Housing and Rural-Urban Development,
[2012]184 Culture and Finance on Strengthening the Protection and Development of
http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/zcfg/jsbwj_0/jsbwjczghyjs/201212/ Traditional Villages, http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/zcfg/jsbwj_0/jsbwjczghy-
t20121219_212337.html js/201212/t20121219_212337.html
4. 4. Notice of Ministries of Housing and Rural-Urban Development, Culture, Fi-
2012189 nance on the Announcement of the First Traditional Villages, http://www.gov.
http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2012-12/20/content_2294327.htm cn/zwgk/2012-12/20/content_2294327.htm
5. 2013 5. Notice of Ministries of Housing and Rural-Urban Development, Culture,
[2013]20 Finance on Better Pushing Forward the 2013 Surveys on Traditional Villages
http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/zcfg/jsbwj_0/jsbwjczghyjs/201302/ and their Nomination, http://www.mohurd.gov.cn/zcfg/jsbwj_0/jsbwjczghy-
t20130206_212809.html js/201302/t20130206_212809.html
[ HERITAGE KNOWLEDGE ] January 2014 31

WORLD HERITAGE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
Copyright: Qatar Museums Authority/QIAH

Author: A. Pantos
Image Source: Nomination File
Al Zubarah Archaeological Site

2013
(iii) (iv)(v)

9
18 19 1811
20
merchant and pearl trading tradi-
Category: Cultural Heritage

Location: Qatar tion of the Arabian Gulf during the
18th and 19th centuries, the almost
Date of Inscription: 2013
final flourishing of a tradition that
Criteria: (iii) (iv) (v) sustained the major coastal towns

of the region from the early Islamic

The walled coastal town of Al period or earlier to the 20th centu-
Zubarah in the Gulf flourished as a ry.
pearling and trading centre in the
late 18th century and early 19thcen- Criterion (iv): Al Zubarah, as a for-

turies, before it was destroyed in tified town linked to settlements in
1811 and abandoned in the early its hinterland, exemplifies the string
1900s. Founded by merchants from of urban foundations that rewrote
(iii)(iv) (v) Kuwait, Al Zubarah had trading the political and demographic
links across the Indian Ocean, map of the Gulf during the 18th
2013
Arabia and Western Asia. A layer and early 19th centuries through
(iii) of sand blown from the desert has building on the strategic position
18 19 protected the remains of the sites of the region as a trading conduit.
Al Zubarah can thus be seen as an
palaces, mosques, streets, courtyard
houses, and fishermens huts; its example of the small independent

harbour and double defensive walls, states that were founded and flour-
20 a canal, walls, and cemeteries. Exca- ished in the 18th and early 19th
vation has only taken place over a centuries outside the control of the
small part of the site, which offers Ottoman, European, and Persian
(iv)
an outstanding testimony to an empires. This period can now be
18 19 urban trading and pearl-diving tra- seen as a significant moment in hu-
dition which sustained the regions man history, when the Gulf States
major coastal towns and led to the that exist today were founded.
development of small independent

states that flourished outside the Criterion (v): Al Zubarah bears
control of the Ottoman, European, a unique testimony to the human
and Persian empires and eventually interaction with both the sea and
the harsh desert environment of
(v) led to the emergence of modern day
Gulf States. the region. Pearl divers weights,
imported ceramics, depictions of
Al Zubarah Archaeological Site in- dhows, fish traps, wells and agricul-
scribed into list of World Heritage tural activity show how the towns
Site by the criterions followed: development was driven by trade

and commerce, and how closely the
Criterion (iii): The abandoned set- towns inhabitants were connected
tlement of Al Zubarah, as the only with the sea and their desert hinter-
remaining complete urban plan of land.
an Arabian pearl-merchant town,
is an exceptional testimony to the
32 January 2014 [ WORLD HERITAGE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION ]

FORTHCOMING

Forthcoming
2014 The 2014 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heri-
tage Conservation Coming up
2013 11 12 -2014 3 31 12 November 2013 - 31 March 2014
2013 11 12 2014 The application of the 2014 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cul-
The UNESCO Asia- tural Heritage Conservation has announced in 12 November 2013.
The Awards were established in 2000 to recognize the achievement
Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage
of individuals and organizations within the private sector, and
Conservation 2000 public-private initiatives, in successfully conserving structures of
heritage value in the region. Entries for the 2014 Award programme
must be submitted with an official entry form, project descrip-
tion using the official format, occupant comment form(s), owner
consent form, rights authorization form, including drawings and

2014 photos in hard copy and on CD before 31 March 2014. For further
2014 3 31 information, please check: http://www.unescobkk.org/news/arti-
cle/2014-unesco-asia-pacific-awards-for-cultural-heritage-conserva-
tion-call-for-entries/.
http://
www.unescobkk.org/culture/heritageawards.
Using Natural and Cultural Heritage in Sustainable Devel-

opment Synergy for Development in Berge
2014 3 24 26 24-26 March 2014, Bergen, Norway
This Conference will be focus on the UNESCO 1872, 2003 and 2005
conventions, hold in Bergen near the Bryggen World Heritage Site,
18722003 2005
which is organized by the University of Bergen with contributions
from the Norwegian National Commission for UNESCO, the City
of Bergen, Hordaland County Council, and the County Governor
of Hordaland. The meeting will invite both practitioners and re-
searchers to present their papers along with invited keynote speak-
ers, sites visiting is scheduled on the second day of the conference.

Few questions are addressed in the meeting, such as the practice
http://www. works of the UNESCO convention at ground level, the role of her-
uib.no/unescobergen2014/en/nyheter/2013/04/
itage in contributing to sustainable developmentetc. For further
information, please check: http://www.uib.no/unescobergen2014/en/
conference-theme nyheter/2013/04/conference-theme.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater

2014 5 12 16 Cultural Heritage
12-16 May 2014, Hawaii, USA
The Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural
Heritage will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, host by National Ma-

2001 rine Sanctuary Foundation and University of Hawaii Marine Op-
tion Program. Follow-up by the UNESCO convention 2001 come
into force, the conference is sponsored by UNESCO Office for the
Pacific States, Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology and
potential sponsors by Australian National Commission for UNE-

21 SCO, SEAMEO-SPAFA, the Korean National Research Institute
of Maritime Cultural Heritage, and more. This Conference aims
to address management and protection strategies of underwater
cultural heritage in Asia, especially the countries of the Indian and

Pacific Oceans in the 21st Century, which enhance and facilitate re-
http://www.unesco.org/new/ gional cooperation by developing the networks between academic
en/culture/themes/single-view/news/second_call_ and governmental in the region. For no doubt this give rooms for
further discussion of technical and ethical issues related to un-
for_sessionspapers_2014_underwater_cultural_
derwater cultural heritage and underwater archaeology. For more
heritage_conference-2/#.UqfJ-dKBnDN information, please check: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/
themes/single-view/news/second_call_for_sessionspapers_2014_
underwater_cultural_heritage_conference-2/#.UqfJ-dKBnDN.
[ FORTHCOMING ] January 2014 33

Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs)
Category: Natural Heritage
Location: Tajikistan
2013 Date of Inscription: 2013
(vii)(viii) Criteria: (vii) (viii)
Tajik National Park covers more than

2.5 million hectares in the east of the
country, at the centre of the so-called

250 Pamir Knot, a meeting point of the impounded behind the highest natural
highest mountain ranges on the Eur- dam in the world, is of great geomor-
7000 asian continent. It consists of high phic interest. Lake Karakul is likely to
plateaux in the east and, to the west, be the highest large lake of meteoric
rugged peaks, some of them over 7,000 origin.

meters high, and features extreme sea-
1085 170 sonal variations of temperature. The Criterion (viii): The Pamir Mountains
400
longest valley glacier outside the Polar are a major centre of glaciation on the
region is located among the 1,085 gla- Eurasian continent and Tajik National
ciers inventoried in the site, which also Park illustrates within one protected
numbers 170 rivers and more than 400 area an outstanding juxtaposition of
lakes. Rich flora species of both the many high mountains, valley glaciers,
south-western and central Asian flo- and deep river gorges alongside the
ristic regions grow in the Park which cold continental desert environment
shelters nationally rare and threatened of the high Pamir Plateau landforms.
birds and mammals (Marco Polo Arga- An outstanding landform feature of
li sheep, Snow Leopards and Siberian the propertys geologically dynamic
Ibex and more). Subject to frequent terrain is Lake Sarez. It was created by
strong earthquakes, the Park is sparse- an earthquake-generated landslide of
(vii) (viii) ly inhabited, and virtually unaffected an estimated six billion tonnes of ma-
2013 by agriculture and permanent human terial and is possibly the youngest deep
(vii)
settlements. It offers a unique opportu- water alpine lake in the world. It is of
nity for the study of plate tectonics and international scientific and geomor-
subduction phenomena. phological hazard significance because
of the on-going geological processes
The Tajik National Park was nominat- influencing its stability, and the sort
ed as world Heritage in 2013 according of lacustrine ecosystem which will de-
to the following criteria: velop over time. Tajik National Park
furthermore offers a unique opportu-

Criterion (vii): Tajik National Park is nity for the study of plate tectonics and
one of the largest high mountain pro- continental subduction phenomena
tected areas in the Palearctic Realm. thereby contributing to our fundamen-
The Fedchenko Glacier, the largest tal understanding of earth building

valley glacier of the Eurasian Conti- processes.
(viii) nent and the worlds longest outside
of the Polar Regions, is unique and a

spectacular example at the global level.
The visual combination of some of the
deepest gorges in the world, surround-
ed by rugged glaciated peaks, as well as
the alpine desert and lakes of the Pamir
60
high plateaux adds up to an alpine wil-
derness of exceptional natural beauty.
Lake Sarez and Lake Karakul are super-
lative natural phenomena. Lake Sarez, All the cover photos are from the Internet.

World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region
under the Auspices of UNESCO (Secretariat)
1239 3 200092
Address3F Wen Yuan Building, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, P.R. China
Tel0086 21 65987687 URLhttp://www.whitr-ap.org
Fax0086 21 65987687 8004 Email whapshanghai@gmail.com
whc.unesco.org

Newsletter 27

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Newsletter 27

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Contents Introduction

International Conference on Sustainable Building Restoration and Revitalisation-2013

ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION 24 The World Heritage Institute of Training and

University, China. It was organized China and their conservation man-

by WHITRAP Shanghai, who is tak- agement challenges. The training

region by providing technical assis- in China is currently destroying

The central idea was to explain the

(Shandong) and Jinzhong (Shanxi). and stakeholders are involved in the

also concerned with orchestrating

days, which included 6 training mod- est groups, understanding different

[ SPECIAL COVERAGE ] January 2014 1

viewpoints, letting them be heard outcomes of the discussion will be

>>> >>> Background to the Historic Urban Landscape

2 January 2014 [ SPECIAL COVERAGE ]

cultural heritage institutes from the

ny for the Development Report on

[ WHITRAP NEWS ] January 2014 3

2013 Advanced Course on Conser-

4 2014 January [ WHITRAP NEWS ]

World Heritage Agricultural Landscapes

H uman cultural development is World Heritage, natural heritage,

essentially the cultivation of nature,

tion process initiated by Neolithic the evolution of human society and

timately, the Iron ages. sive social, economic and cultural

soil, endeavouring to improve it so experts throughout that period,

incided with an celebration of the

was included in the Operational all three categories or perhaps we

[ RSEARCH FRONTIER ] January 2014 5

Types of Cultural Landscape

The final category is the asso-

6 January 2014 [ RSEARCH FRONTIER ]

This apparent simplicity of typol- Most of these landscapes in which

category (ii) in both in their relict in the South of France or in

Similarly, some sites also belong eas.

or was closely linked to agricul- sentation focuses on landscapes

silviculture (silva, forest); and (Papua New Guinea), which at-

[ RSEARCH FRONTIER ] January 2014 7

pasture, making the area an evolu- implementation of any agricultur-

8 January 2014 [ RSEARCH FRONTIER ]

the List of World Heritage in Dan-

loss of specialized labour associ- these landscapes inscribed on the

(taboo) landscapes unprotected. to and in conjunction with the

ecological balance needed to en- 69 2013

Focus on agricultural and agro-pastoral landscapes

[ RSEARCH FRONTIER ] January 2014 9

industrial, commercial, religious and urbanization, financial and technical

10 January 2014 [ RSEARCH FRONTIER ]

Eight Villages in Chengyang

Dong Villages: Living Heritage in A Land of Beauty

no longer distinctive. Only a small of Dong villages, where social

complete settlement pattern, archi- houses around one drum tower. In

[ RSEARCH FRONTIER ] January 2014 11

12 January 2014 [ RSEARCH FRONTIER ]

Dong people dressed in traditional has therefore become an important

utive days and nights.

World Cultural Heritage by 3 prov- relatively stable in geographical

cultural features, organically com- rounding forest. With traditional

villages at home or abroad. preserved in material and fabric,

groups and constituted an import- dances, medicines, and crafts have

With their authentic and harmo- property, Dong villages authentic-

[ RSEARCH FRONTIER ] January 2014 13

pass on the authenticity. and broad in core protection area,

14 January 2014 [ RSEARCH FRONTIER ]

Research on Protection of Ethnic Ancient Villages: a Case Study on Dong Villages *