Identifying Shan-Shui characteristics for national landscape heritage: reconciling western and Chinese landscape characterisation from a trans-cultural perspective

Ye Zhao, David Harvey, Chi Gao*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

The recognition of landscape as cultural heritage has increasingly brought together work on landscape and heritage in recent years. In a practical sense, this has been recognized through effective landscape management strategies that have sought to encompass wider information on the historic environment and its associated values. Across Europe in recent years, effective assessment and management of the historic environment have developed through a conversation around such schemes as landscape character assessment (LCA) and historic landscape characterisation (HLC). Further work is required, however, in order to extend this conversation further in trans-cultural contexts. This paper explores the possibilities of developing such a conversation through GIS modeling that draws on both western LCA/HLC perspectives and Chinese Shan-Shui philosophies.

We believe that a creative conversation between western and Chinese landscape heritage philosophies might be able to allow landscape characterisation approaches that use GIS methodologies to attain a greater depth of heritage understanding within their operation. Through trans-cultural exchange, therefore, this research explores how a novel and indigenous language (of Shan-Shui Characterisation) might enliven western Landscape Character Assessment, thus providing a productive conversation between different disciplines, philosophies and culture cognitions.
Original languageEnglish
JournalThe Geographical Journal
Volume186
Issue3
Pages (from-to)300-313
Number of pages14
ISSN0016-7398
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Shan-Shui characterisation approach
  • Wudang Mountains National Park
  • landscape characterisation approach
  • landscape heritage
  • transcultural conversation

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