Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into climate adaptation: a vulnerability assessment framework for Chinese skywell-style architectural heritage against rainstorms

Global climate change has increased the risk of rainstorms to architectural heritage, while traditional rainwater management systems (TRMS) are sometimes insufficient to cope with extreme precipitation. This study analyzes disaster vulnerability in Chinese skywell-style architectural heritage (SAH). By examining the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) utilized in SAH for rainstorm management and the primary damage patterns, a vulnerability assessment system was developed that encompasses five dimensions: drainage, infiltration, water storage, protection, and structure. Subsequently, the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Entropy Weight Method were employed to ascertain indicator weights for constructing a vulnerability assessment model. This model was tested with Li’s Grand Ancestral Hall, which experienced the “16th June” rainstorm, and an obstacle degree model was applied to identify key vulnerability-enhancing indicators. Results indicate that drainage effectiveness, particularly outlet accessibility and topographic elevation, is critical in TRMS. The model aligns with actual damage conditions with an accuracy of 85.19%. The water storage system emerges as a key vulnerability-enhancing subsystem in TRMS. Moreover, vulnerability assessments should extend beyond individual buildings to consider the spatial layout of the entire architectural ensemble. This study presents a framework for applying TEK to climate adaptation, thereby enhancing the resilience of architectural heritage to climate change.