CHINESE CULTURAL LANDSCAPES. Sustainable development, Conservation and continuity of tradition.

Research Field The research starts from the need to reflect on the growth of the contemporary city and the land consumption in China, investigating the question in the light of the sustainable development and of the preservation of cultural heritage. In a rapidly developing context as the Chinese one, the relentless rules of industrialization and urbanization have broken the existing balance in the countryside and transformed the entire social structure. The metropolis swallows places and several villages are dismantled without reserves. In addition to this ‘topofagia’ there is the progressive threat of abandonment of a large-scale of rural territory. The landscape, result of the dialogue and the connection between mankind-nature-culture, loses its link with the territory and traditions, becoming a (non) place that support business and economic functions in which the tourism industry fits as an additional factor that sees reducing the identity of rural sites in a mere stereotype of tourist attraction. Research Object The research looks to the agricultural and productive landscape in the north-central China with particular attention to the area of the Loess Plateau, involved in an important process of sustainable development and soil conservation that takes into account the protection of local traditions (cultural, architectural , agricultural, etc.). In particular, the study addresses the issue of preservation of the earthen vernacular heritage represented by Yáodòng, today completely abandoned and at risk. Subject of studies and research, this heritage is becoming a point of reference to look to for the preparation of land development plans driven by the principles of sustainability, inclusion, innovation and social responsibility and which attempting to reconcile the local traditions with the new modern standards in low-cost housing. Research Methodology The research uses a methodology of reading of the landscape, which is divided substantially according to two approaches: a 'sensitive' approach and a 'descriptive' one. Initially a landscape awakens in us emotions and feelings. Our first approach is therefore aesthetic, emotional and sensory. In this meaning, literature and iconography are an interesting method of investigation of the landscape that provides a reading not detached from the experience of the writer/photographer/painter / etc. ('sensitive' approach). Subsequently, the analysis of the landscape for individual layers allows us to highlight the structural elements and trace individual items, which summarize its identity and influence our vision ('descriptive' approach). Research Tools Through involvement in the cultural debate and active participation in the projects of protection of local heritage conducted by the University (Xi’an Jiaotong University. Department of Architecture / Institute of heritage sites & historical architecture conservation), by local research centers (Silk Road Economic Belt Cultural Tourism Union / Xi’an Tourism Design and Research Institute) and international ones (ICOMOS), it was possible to investigate the strategies and guidelines of ongoing development. Bibliographic and archivistic researches, as well as the study of law (local and international) for the protection of cultural heritage, have been useful to track the state of the art and highlight any discrepancies between the legislative guidelines (theory) and modus operandi (practice). Research Outline The research is made up of four chapters. The first chapter traces the main historical stages of post-revolutionary China, with particular attention to land reforms that have affected the country (from agricultural collectivization of the early years of the People's Republic until the decollectivisation following the plenary session of the eighth Central Committee and the reforms dictated by Deng Xiaoping in the late 70s). The second chapter focuses on the study of the conservative practice of cultural and environmental heritage in China, looking to the local instruments of safeguard in the broader context of the international legislation. The third chapter give us a 'sensitive' reading of cultural landscapes, offering a 'vision' of rural China through the lens of literary and iconographic sources. The fourth chapter deals with the vernacular heritage of earthen architecture, investigated and presented through case studies in the territory, offering the occasion to reflect on issues relating to the protection and conservation of the agricultural and productive Chinese landscape. Research Results The commitment of this country to pursue a sustainable development that will necessarily have to pass the sifter of the policies of heritage protection, is an important test bed from which you can identify successful policies and perhaps growth patterns compatible with the protection of the heritage, with advantages, therefore, for both the heritage and for the community. Research Conclusion The aim of the research was to understand and highlight the special features of the agricultural and productive Chinese landscape analyzing the landscape values of the place fixing a starting point for any kind of transformation of the places.