Toward Cultural Heritage Sustainability through Participatory Planning Based on Investigation of the Value Perceptions and Preservation Attitudes: Qing Mu Chuan, China

Abstract

Conservation efforts and cooperation from major stakeholders are critical factors for cultural heritage (e.g., historical landmarks) sustainability. Although landscape planners provide professional knowledge and intended designs for sustainable management of cultural heritage sites, the active effort and participation of local residents or communities are the decisive facts of whether relevant preservation actions can be successfully implemented. Traditional village landscapes in Qing Mu Chuan, China, were selected as the study area. We used photo questionnaires to explore the preferences, value perceptions, and preservation attitudes toward traditional village landscapes of landscape professionals and local residents. The results revealed large differences in the perceptions and preservation attitudes toward traditional village landscapes between the two groups. The most unexpected finding was that the local residents showed much stronger preferences and preservation willingness toward traditional village landscapes with cultural elements than the professionals. In addition, the local residents’ preservation attitudes were mainly affected by their perception of economic benefits and daily utility values, rather than cultural values. Meanwhile, the preservation of professionals’ attitudes was significantly related to recreational and cultural value perceptions. These findings will direct the participatory planning process to provide appropriate incentives for developing the preservation attitudes of local residents. They will also support the implementation of participatory planning to promote the positive collaboration of local residents and landscape planners toward cultural heritage sustainability.