Page 8 - JCAU-7-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Visualizing research on Huizhou houses

With growing international attention in cultural Despite the volume of existing research, many studies
heritage studies, the volume and diversity of related on the local cultural and historical context of heritage
literature have increased dramatically (Syahrial et al., buildings lack systematic and comprehensive scientific
2024). Faced with vast amounts of data, the importance of literature analysis. This deficiency impedes the effective
scientific literature analysis tools has become increasingly identification of key elements of local characteristics and their
prominent, especially visualization tools, such as CiteSpace, interrelationships. Consequently, visual scientific literature
VOSviewer, and Biblioshiny, which play important roles analysis tools remain underutilized and insufficiently applied
in helping researchers understand complex knowledge in the study of local heritage buildings, highlighting a research
structures, disciplinary evolution, and research trends gap and the need for further exploration (Zhou et al., 2022).
(Tang et al., 2024; Zeng et al., 2023). For example, word
frequency analysis and co-occurrence networks can 2. Methods
help researchers identify hot research topics within 2.1. Research area
a certain period, such as sustainable development in
global cultural heritage preservation, tourism research, Located in the southern region of Anhui province, China,
and digital technological innovations. Researchers can the traditional houses of Huizhou are known as the “living
quickly identify influential academic groups and their fossil of Chinese architecture” (Zheng & Yan, 2011) for
main research results (Aboulnaga et al., 2024; Lian & their distinctive regional characteristics, subtle design
Xie, 2024; Zhang et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2023). Visual concepts, skilled construction techniques, and profound
scientific literature analysis tools play a crucial role in cultural connotations. These houses serve as the most
exploring cutting-edge academic trends (Zhou et al., intuitive physical carriers for understanding the social
2024; Zhang & Zou, 2022). As an interdisciplinary field structure, family concepts, religious beliefs, and daily life
encompassing history, architecture, sociology, and other of the region (Zhang et al., 2011). They hold considerable
domains, these visualization tools allow researchers value for studying the traditional culture of Huizhou and,
to track the evolutionary path of specific disciplines, more broadly, Chinese culture.
monitor the expansion of cross-disciplinary research, In 2000, the historical villages of southern Anhui,
identify academic gaps, and anticipate cutting-edge exemplified by Xidi and Hongcun villages in Yixian
topics for future research (Rong & Bahauddin, 2023). county, Anhui province, were successfully inscribed
Local heritage architecture, as a unique dimension on the World Heritage List (Zhang &, 2013; Zhao et al.,
in global cultural diversity, not only demonstrates the 2018). Yixian county, one of the six historic counties
wisdom of local architecture in adapting to the needs of of Huizhou, was founded in 221 BCE during the Qin
nature and society – constituting the unique historical dynasty (221 – 206 BCE). Nestled in a valley with beautiful
memory and cultural identity of the region – but also natural environments, rolling peaks, and relatively isolated
reflects the interaction between cultural specificity and transportation, this geographic setting enabled Yixian
global universal values (Kahvecioğlu & Arslan Selçuk, 2023; county to preserve its independence and strong self-
González Martínez, 2022). A cross-cultural and cross- sufficiency over a prolonged period, contributing to its
regional comparative approach from a global perspective distinctive pattern of cultural and economic development
enables researchers to understand the commonalities (Zurndorfer, 1989). During the Ming (1368 – 1644)
and differences in the conservation of heritage buildings and Qing (1644 – 1912) dynasties, Huizhou merchants
within different cultural contexts, promoting cooperation accumulated significant wealth through trade in
and coordination in global cultural heritage conservation commodities such as tea and timber across China (Du,
at a macro level. It also helps scholars understand the 2015; Guo, 2022). Driven by the desire to honor their
challenges faced by heritage buildings across different ancestors and return to their hometowns, these merchants
regions, facilitating mutual learning and exchange among invested their wealth in building and restoring homes,
different cultures (Mohamed & Marzouk, 2023). Therefore, spurring rapid growth in Yixian county’s economy, culture,
visual scientific literature analysis tools have great potential and architecture. However, under the constraints of the
in local heritage building research to help scholars gain feudal hierarchy at that time, even wealthy Hui merchants
insights into the local characteristics of heritage buildings, were restricted from constructing magnificent houses, so
their sustainable management practices, and practical they turned to interior decoration. They intricately carved
activities (Adegoriola et al., 2021). These tools further foster profound and exquisite designs on doors, windows, beams,
scholarly exchange and dialogue across cultures, widening and other architectural components, in contrast to the
the breadth and depth of global cultural heritage research plain, simple, and understated exterior of the buildings
(Morkūnaitė et al., 2019; Nadkarni & Puthuvayi, 2020). (Zhang, 2016; Cao & Mustafa, 2023) (Figure 1).

Volume 7 Issue 2 (2025) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4473