Page 41 - JCAU-6-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Regenerating tradition: Rural revitalization

Figure 11. Yulong Village master plan and perspective section. Source: Drawings by the authors

black-faced spoonbill, which, in turn, help ameliorate With the integration of traditional water and vegetation
locust infestation. The spoonbill, like many other native systems, there is an opportunity to expand the cultivation
animals, holds significance as an object of totem worship of Li family’s Shanlan rice and implement a crop rotation
for the Li people, and their return is important for the system on the slopes of Yulong Village. This approach
continuity of Li family’s agriculture. A healthy riverbank aims to compensate for the constraints posed by recurrent
space surrounded by mangrove shallows would also flooding in lowlands and the extensive cultivation of tropical
provide a safe environment for local activities such as cash crops in mountainous areas. Traditional Shanlan rice
fishing and children’s water games. cultivation practices, facilitated by the establishment of

Similarly, the green drainage canals in the village would terraces for improved accessibility and safety on the slopes,
function as miniature ecological corridors, attracting local can contribute to soil restoration. In addition, the traditional
insects and birds. These canals could become potential play crop rotation and planting practices hold potential value in
spaces for Li children and foraging spaces for the poultry that restoring and protecting the soil in Yulong Village. After a
roam the streets of Yulong Village. These localized vegetation few rounds of Shanlan rice planting and traditional crop
systems, coupled with a broader vegetation corridor running rotation, a healthy soil profile would enable the diversification
through the entire production and living space of Yulong of agricultural products, including the rotation with some
Village, would provide sufficient space for local animals tropical crops. This diversified approach aims to make land
to move and migrate. This setup ensures sufficient plant resources as sustainable as possible. By working in tandem
resources for traditional Li villagers gathering activities and with cash crops, these traditional agricultural systems can
offers context for Li elders to teach their children the skills ensure both the ecological security of the sloping plantation
of identifying and utilizing local plants, thus preserving and area in Yulong Village and the economic security of the
passing down traditions to newer generations. villagers (Figure 13).

Volume 6 Issue 2 (2024) 11 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.1304