Recognizing the Pattern Language and Developing a Restoration Approach for Katu Villages in Central Vietnam

Traditional villages serve as vital repositories of agricultural civilization, preserving cultural and spatial heritage. In the context of rural urbanization, understanding and revitalizing the spatial elements and cultural environments of traditional villages is essential. This study focuses on Katu villages, utilizing pattern language theory and landscape gene analysis to construct a framework for decoding spatial elements and guiding restoration efforts. The research identifies three key findings: (1) the spatial landscape of Katu villages can be systematized into a pattern language, encompassing distinct spatial elements such as gươl (communal houses), stilted houses, and ceremonial zones, along with principles of spatial order, scale, and cultural context; (2) three primary landscape genes—dominant architecture, overall spatial layout, and cultural practices—are identified as critical to preserving the historical and cultural essence of Katu villages; and (3) an integrated restoration mechanism is proposed, addressing weak points in spatial structures, reorganizing hierarchical connections to ensure cohesion within the circular pattern, and repairing large-scale elements such as housing clusters and sacred landscapes. This approach provides a sustainable pathway for protecting the cultural identity and spatial integrity of traditional Katu villages, ensuring their resilience in the face of modernization.