New Methods of How to Conserve the Landscape of Historic Village of Shirakawa-Go

Conservation efforts for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go face challenges due to uniform regulations that limit building use and lifestyle adaptability. Research reveals that rigid, one-size-fits-all guidelines for construction and alterations fail to account for diverse household structures and tourism-related changes in residential patterns. Key findings include: 1) Current regulations restrict building flexibility without considering family sizes or ownership dynamics; 2) Spatial diversity among households cannot be standardized; 3) Community composition shifts due to tourism engagement and household evolution. The study proposes tailored landscape management strategies, including adaptive guidelines for different household conditions, use-based regulations, and policies encouraging vacant house utilization to foster employment opportunities. This approach aims to balance preservation with resident needs in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.

ASO, M., & NISHIYAMA, N. (2014). NEW METHODS OF HOW TO CONSERVE THE LANDSCAPE OF HISTORIC VILLAGE OF SHIRAKAWA-GO. Journal of Architecture and Planning (Transactions of AIJ), 79(700), 1373–1381. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.79.1373