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A Multiscale Approach to Identifying Vernacular Landscape Pattern Characteristics in River Basins: A Case Study of the Liuxi River, Guangzhou

Author

Listed:
  • Nanxi Wang

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China
    State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science, Guangzhou 510641, China
    Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Landscape Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China)

  • Yan Zha

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China)

  • Zhongxiao Lin

    (Guangzhou Urban Planning and Design Survey Research Institute, Guangzhou 510060, China)

Abstract

In recent years, rapid urbanization has transformed the man–land relationship in rural areas, highlighting issues such as the homogenization of vernacular landscapes. This study uses the Liuxi River in Guangzhou as a case and applies a hierarchical interpretation system for vernacular landscapes, utilizing methods from landscape character assessment (LCA) and Historic Landscape Characterization (HLC). Focusing on two scales, “basin” and “vernacular unit”, this study proposes a framework for identifying vernacular landscape patterns. This framework includes scale definition, pattern identification, feature description, and factor analysis. At the basin scale, the investigation concentrates on spatial configurations of vernacular landscapes in 1985, whereas the unit-scale analysis delineates temporal evolutionary trajectories spanning 1974–2020. The results indicate significant differences in landscape fragmentation, dominance, and diversity between upstream and downstream at the basin scale. At the unit scale, the landscape connectivity in the Shaxi River unit remains relatively stable, while landscape heterogeneity increases, resulting in greater diversity. This study provides valuable insights into the continuity and development of diversity in analogous vernacular landscape regions globally, particularly those comparable to the Liuxi River basin.

Suggested Citation

  • Nanxi Wang & Yan Zha & Zhongxiao Lin, 2025. "A Multiscale Approach to Identifying Vernacular Landscape Pattern Characteristics in River Basins: A Case Study of the Liuxi River, Guangzhou," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:5:p:964-:d:1646421
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Graham Fairclough & Pete Herring, 2016. "Lens, mirror, window: interactions between Historic Landscape Characterisation and Landscape Character Assessment," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 186-198, February.
    2. Geoffrey Griffiths, 2018. "Transferring Landscape Character Assessment from the UK to the Eastern Mediterranean: Challenges and Perspectives," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Yulian Pan & Yunong Wu & Xi Xu & Bin Zhang & Weifu Li, 2022. "Identifying Terrestrial Landscape Character Types in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-19, July.
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