Multiple Values and System Mechanisms of Rice Terrace Systems from the Perspective of Heritage Comparison

Rice terrace systems, such as the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in China and the Ifugao Rice Terraces in the Philippines, exhibit complex interconnections between multiple heritage values, including cultural landscape, agricultural production, irrigation engineering, and intangible cultural heritage. This study reveals that these systems consist of five interconnected subsystems—nature, terrace, village, irrigation, and concept—which collectively form a highly self-consistent and diverse yet unified whole. By analyzing typical cases through comparative research, the study demonstrates how rice terrace systems meet the criteria for multiple heritage classifications while maintaining their overall value integrity. The findings highlight the potential of systematic thinking in heritage protection and conservation, emphasizing the need for future research to address challenges in heritage activation, utilization, and value continuation.

YANG, Y., YU, X., JIAO, Y., & SUN, S. (2025). Multiple Values and System Mechanisms of Rice Terrace Systems from the Perspective of Heritage Comparison. Landscape Architecture, 32(3), 65–72. https://doi.org/10.3724/j.fjyl.202407160386