The construction mechanism of landscape patterns: a case study of traditional villages in the Pearl River Delta region

In response to globalization, consumerism, and the prioritization of modernization, we examine rural historical and cultural heritage and the knowledge embedded in traditional villages. Traditional villages, as non-renewable cultural heritage resources, embody regional cultural characteristics and the harmonious relationship between villagers and the natural environment. The clusters of traditional villages in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region are multi-dimensional and multi-layered complex systems that were formed under the influence of various factors. These traditional villages are an important carrier of Lingnan (south of the Five Ridges) regional culture. Utilizing schematic language theory and methodology, this paper represents and analyzes the spatial configurations and environmental patterns of typical PRD villages. It interprets planning concepts and schematic vocabularies to uncover the underlying mechanisms of rural landscape construction and regional differences. The theoretical contribution of this research lies in advancing an understanding of rural landscape structures and local cultural heritage in PRD, thereby enhancing public awareness and appreciation of rural landscapes. On a practical level, the study establishes a framework for designers to apply schematic language in creating new rural landscapes in PRD, supporting the conservation and transmission of the region’s rural landscape heritage.