Cultural Heritage Protection and Flood Hazard Control in Arid Areas: A Case Study of Xixia Imperial Tombs in China

Cultural heritage sites in arid regions are often underestimated in terms of flood risk; however, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events under climate change have significantly amplified threats to these fragile environments. Taking the Xixia Imperial Tombs in China as a case study, this research investigates strategies for flood hazard prevention and control for cultural heritage in arid areas. By situating the study within the broader context of climate change and global heritage conservation, the paper examines the impacts of flooding on heritage sites and the historical evolution of flood control measures. It further integrates an analysis of the site’s geographical characteristics, traditional flood management structures, and contemporary conservation practices. The study systematically elucidates the compound risks of “drought–desertification–sudden flooding” faced by cultural heritage in arid landscapes. The findings suggest that heritage protection should transition from reactive, post-disaster restoration toward proactive preventive conservation. This shift requires the integration of both engineering and non-engineering measures, supported by technology-based systems such as environmental monitoring and early warning platforms, to establish a comprehensive risk management framework. The research highlights that overcoming the prevailing misconception that “arid regions are free from flood risks,” embedding heritage flood management into regional planning, and ensuring legal, financial, and interdisciplinary cooperation are essential for the long-term safeguarding of cultural heritage in arid environments. This study offers practical insights and a transferable reference for the protection of heritage sites in similar climatic and geographical contexts worldwide.