Study of the characteristics of the mountainous cultural landscape in Yemen: mountain cities, mountain villages, and cultivated terraces

Abstract Cultural landscapes enhance the spiritual relationship between people and their environment. They represent civilized evidence of peoples’ interaction with nature and exploiting its resources to build civilization. Yemeni urban and rural environments are rich in many cultural landscape elements that reflect the ingenuity of Yemeni people interacting with nature. Unfortunately, there is a severe shortage of research studies that discuss the cultural landscapes in Yemen and the mechanisms for their preservation. Therefore, this study aimed to shed light on the types of mountain cultural landscapes in Yemen and discuss the means of their preservation. The study achieved its objectives through a theoretical review of available studies and field visits to some sites in Ibb, Jableh, and Taiz cities. The authors visited three mountainous cities in May and June 2021: the historic city of Jableh, the historic city of Taiz, and the old city of Ibb. The authors also visited some mountain villages and cultivated terraces in Sana’a, Ibb, and Taiz in July and August 2021. The study highlighted the human contribution to these sites and elements and showed the Yemenis’ skills in adapting to nature and benefiting from it ideally. The results indicate the environmental, social, and economic aspects that Yemenis have reaped through their fruitful use of nature and landscapes. This study can guide the competent authorities in assessing, developing, and protecting cultural landscape sites in Yemen.