湖南通道侗族自治县传统聚落的空间构建

湘西传统聚落作为一种为数不多的、保存完好的聚落景观之一,其保护研究是我国文化生态及其生物多样性保护研究的重要组成部分。以怀化市侗族传统聚落为研究对象,从传统风水学理念与现代生态位出发,探索传统聚落空间格局的构建方法和驱动因素,以期为传统聚落合理的生态位扩充和空间结构演变提供理论依据。研究表明:湘西传统聚落形成了东、南、西、北四面山林围护、中间宽敞开阔的独立地理空间结构,构建了符合大众追求的"山-林-屋-水-林"的理想聚落空间模式,而且民居建筑大多都"坐西朝东,背风向阳,靠山面水而建"。这种聚落是在自然、经济和文化三大因素共同影响下构成的复合生态系统,有其独特的运行机制。在传统聚落空间系统不断发展的过程中,应遵从其演变发展的客观规律,根据不同传统聚落的生产力水平条件,合理推进经济社会空间结构的转型,并适度加以调控,以稳步实现传统聚落的空间演变和生态位扩充。

Spatial construction of traditional dong settlements in Tongdao, Hunan

Western Hunan is one of few well-preserved traditional cultural landscapes in China. As such, research on and conservation of this area with respect to both cultural ecology and biodiversity are considered important. With traditional Dong settlements in Huaihua as the research milieu, this paper first describes traditional feng shui concepts and incorporates modern ecological niche ideology to explore the driving factors behind the spatial patterns of traditional settlements and the construction methods employed in their development. The aim of this research is to provide a sound theoretical foundation for ecological niche expansion and spatial structure evolution of traditional settlements. Our study reveals that traditional settlements and the natural environment in Western Hunan have attained a harmonious equilibrium over time. Spatially, this is manifested as a unique settlement pattern with local Chinese characteristics. Settlements are bordered by mountain forests in all directions and are constructed around large, open, central spaces, reflecting the "mountain-forest-house-water-forest" spatial settlement concept, which conforms to the principles of feng shui. In addition, most of the residential buildings of the Dong settlement in Tongdao, Western Hunan, are positioned west to east, facing the sun, facing the water, and against the mountains. These settlements can be conceptualized as unique complex ecosystems formed under the joint influences of three major factors, that is, nature, economics, and culture. The elements of the systems interact with one another in complex ways, directing the development of the settlements, ensuring the survival of their residents, and producing unique cultural characteristics. As traditional settlements expand, it is important that planners remain mindful of the ways in which these areas have developed and evolved. They should ensure that projected development trajectories for these areas will protect their unique identities and preserve the delicate balance that currently exists between their human and natural systems by facilitating effective integration of physical, social, and economic factors as these systems adapt and evolve over time. When considering ecological niche expansion with regard to the settlements, traditional planning approaches cannot be ignored; however, they need to be adapted to incorporate planning with respect to population growth control, the cultivation of environmental awareness among residents, and the development of nonagricultural industries to augment farmers'' income. In the meantime, relevant policies and standards need to be formulated to guide the orderly development of traditional settlements and to curtail injudicious construction of new buildings in these areas.