Identifying Landscape Character for Large Linear Heritage: A Case Study of the Ming Great Wall in Ji-Town, China

Shuang Zhao, Diechuan Yang and Chi Gao ()
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Shuang Zhao: Ecological Landscape Construction & Research Institute, China Architecture Design & Research Group, Beijing 100044, China
Diechuan Yang: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
Chi Gao: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Horticulture & Forestry Sciences, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: The Ming Great Wall (M-GW) is the most representative large linear heritage in China, and faces the problem of landscape fragmentation caused by traditional monument-based protection and disorderly tourism development. We propose to utilise character-based approach for managing landscape change and preserving its integrity. This paper presents a hierarchical characterisation method for the M-GW landscape in Ji-Town in two steps: definition and delimitation of landscape area, and zoning of landscape characters. The landscape area was identified based on the landscape relevance of the space from natural, cultural, and visual aspects. The landscape character types and areas were identified by two dominant attributes using a layout method at Level I (general zoning), and by eight specific attributes using a synthetic method that combines digital and manual approaches at Level II (detailed zoning). According to the analysis results, a wide belt landscape area of about 8650.7 km 2 was delimited. A total of eight landscape character types, 15 sub-types, 47 landscape character areas and 359 sub-areas were obtained. Additionally, the results highlighted the key landscape characteristics that could be used for the planning and construction of the National Cultural Park. Finally, this research provides further direction for the theoretical and technical basis of future research on landscape characterization and sustainable management of the whole M-GW and other linear heritage landscapes.

Keywords: landscape characterisation; the Ming Great Wall; large linear heritage; GIS; National Cultural Park (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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