Publications
Visual Impact Assessment Method for Cultural Heritage: West Lake Cultural Landscape in Hangzhou, China
A new Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) framework for cultural heritage demonstrates that the Shangri-La Hotel East Building project significantly alters the visual attributes of Hangzhou's West Lake. This study overcomes limitations in traditional VIA methods by integrating objective visual sensitivity assessments with subjective public perception evaluations using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and questionnaires. The framework, grounded in heritage value attributes, provides a more comprehensive and generalizable approach to predicting visual impacts on cultural landscapes. It highlights the importance of Heritage Impact Assessment as a preliminary tool for evaluating development projects, balancing objectivity and subjectivity while emphasizing public participation.
Exploring 1800 years of ecosystem services from West Lake, Hangzhou, China
West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Hangzhou, China, has provided varying ecosystem services over 1800 years, with cultural services like recreation and tourism becoming dominant today. The study uses cultural and political ecology perspectives to analyze historical data, revealing how national, regional, and local policies have shaped these services. It highlights the significance of management strategies in sustaining long-term ecological functions and visual integrity, offering insights for future conservation efforts.
The synergic impacts of salt mixture and frost damage on rock decay: implications for the deterioration of rock-hewn heritages
Rock-hewn heritages, such as those found in the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou (WLCL), are vulnerable to combined salt weathering and freeze–thaw cycles, leading to significant deterioration. A study revealed that stones with moderate porosity (~5%) and a higher proportion of micropores, like flint, were particularly susceptible to these synergistic effects, exhibiting surface deformation and strength decline. Porous tuff developed a hard crust and pore fill, while compact carbonate rock showed minimal damage. The research used laboratory ageing tests on five stone types from the WLCL area, simulating 25 cycles of salt impregnation (Na₂SO₄–MgSO₄ mixture), freezing-thaw, and evaporation. Findings indicate that inherent rock properties significantly influence vulnerability to weathering, emphasizing their role in developing preventive conservation strategies for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
West Lake cultural landscape of Hangzhou
The West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou stands as a testament to the enduring influence of traditional Chinese landscape design principles, blending 'harmony between humans and nature' with poetic and artistic inspiration from literature and poetry. This 700-year-old tradition, rooted in the ninth century, has not only persisted but also spread across China and into neighboring countries like Japan and Korea. The landscape's core value lies in its integration of six creation elements that reflect Chinese cultural aesthetics, where culture dominates nature, creating a unique and significant heritage site. This study underscores the historical and cultural significance of West Lake as an outstanding example of how landscape design can embody and perpetuate cultural values over centuries.
Comparing landscape values and heritage stakeholders: a case study of West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, China
A comparative analysis of perspectives on the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou reveals significant discrepancies between international experts and local stakeholders, including Chinese heritage professionals, residents, and tourists. International experts often overlooked the nuanced cultural values articulated by Chinese authorities due to differences in historical, philosophical, and heritage value systems. Meanwhile, tourists and locals linked traditional and contemporary Chinese cultural values to personal emotions and experiences, enriching the discourse on social heritage value. This study underscores the importance of integrating diverse stakeholder knowledge in UNESCO World Heritage nomination processes to ensure comprehensive and culturally sensitive evaluations.
A Study on the Coordinative Green Development of Tourist Experience and Commercialization of Tourism at Cultural Heritage Sites
Tourists at China’s cultural heritage sites prioritize coordinative green development and high-quality tourist experiences over commercialization, with overall satisfaction at three key sites—West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, Ancient City of Pingyao, and Confucius Temple in Nanjing. This study introduces an indicator system for assessing such development (CGDTECT) and applies fuzzy comprehensive evaluation alongside importance-performance analysis to gauge tourist perceptions. Findings suggest that while tourists value green development and experience, they are generally satisfied with current conditions, supporting the adoption of continuous improvement strategies. The research offers actionable insights for balancing tourism growth with cultural preservation, aiding sustainable heritage management.
Cultural landscape meanings. The case of West Lake, Hangzhou, China
The West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou reflects complex cultural meanings that diverge between international heritage agencies and Chinese perspectives. While Western conservation approaches often prioritize universal values, the study reveals that Chinese interpretations emphasize local identity, historical continuity, and emotional connections to the landscape. International bodies like UNESCO and ICOMOS, alongside Chinese stakeholders involved in its 2011 nomination process, may underestimate these nuanced meanings. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists perceive the site not just as a tourist attraction but as a symbol of national pride and cultural heritage, highlighting the need for conservation strategies that bridge global and local understandings.
World Heritage listing and changes of political values: a case study in West Lake Cultural Landscape in Hongzhou, China
This study reveals that Chinese governments, while pursuing World Heritage listing for the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, strategically adapt to Eurocentric UNESCO criteria by omitting values incompatible with Western heritage discourses. Through extensive fieldwork in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, researchers mapped tensions between local governmental perceptions of heritage value and UNESCO/ICOMOS standards. The findings demonstrate a cynical approach where Chinese authorities recognize the 'rules' of World Heritage listing but selectively conform to them, prioritizing international legitimacy over indigenous cultural narratives. This adaptation, driven by the desire for global recognition, reshapes site management while perpetuating a disconnect between local heritage values and UNESCO's 'outstanding universal value' framework.
Soundscape of the West Lake Scenic Area with profound cultural background—a case study of Evening Bell Ringing in Jingci Temple, China
Research on the soundscape of Hangzhou's West Lake Cultural Landscape reveals that natural, cultural, and historic sounds significantly influence people's subjective experiences. The study, focusing on the Evening Bell Ringing at Jingci Temple, analyzed objective physical indices in winter and spring, combined with subjective evaluations from participants. Findings demonstrate a strong correlation between the soundscape and the local environment, history, and culture, emphasizing the importance of integrating these elements for a cohesive and meaningful auditory experience. This insight underscores the interplay between natural and cultural factors in shaping the perception of scenic areas.
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