Vernacular Cultural Landscapes and Community Well-Being: A Spatial Review of Health, Identity, and Resilience

This study examines how vernacular cultural landscapes (VCLs) contribute to community well-being, addressing fragmented evidence across cultural geography, environmental psychology, and public health. It aims to develop an integrated understanding of the mechanisms linking VCL characteristics to health outcomes. A hybrid narrative–scoping review, following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, synthesizes the interdisciplinary literature (2016–2026). The findings show that VCLs support well-being through interconnected pathways, including physical activity, psychological restoration, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability, although these effects are shaped by governance, access, and socioeconomic conditions. The study concludes that VCLs function as context-dependent, health-supportive socio-ecological systems. Its key contribution lies in developing a conceptual framework that operationalizes VCL–health relationships and informs spatial planning and public health policy.