Adaptive use of streams, wells, and tianjing based on riverbanks and drainages in Hakka settlements of Futang Village before access to piped water

To address the homogenisation of rural water use brought about by the popularity of water appliances, this study attempted to find a solution in the spatial and behavioural correspondence and fitness of environment on water use practice in Hakka settlements, habitats for immigrants. Studies on settlements have focused on landscape features, heritage conservation, and life behaviour. Water use has been analysed based on its relationship and comparison with space composition. Traffic-related studies have detailed planning practices, system functions, and history evolution. Unlike previous studies, this study combines the perspectives of architectural planning and environmental adaptability to examine linkages among riverbanks, drainages, and water use patterns in Futang Village and elucidated 3 of 11 hakka settlements’ adaptive use of streams, wells, and tianjing (courtyards) before piped water is available. Satellite map depictions, field surveys, and chi-square distributions showed that upstream and downstream settlements had distinct yet flexible water use behaviours, depending on their access to clean water bodies and sewage areas, concerns about the distance to water sources to perform household chores, and weather conditions. This demonstrates the practical value of adapting to fluvial landforms for developing water facilities and restoring water use activities.