Strategies to Improve Landscape in Designing for Rural Sustainable Environment: Analysis of villages in Yunnan, Southwest China

This study analyses rural development in relation to the landscape in four villages in Yunnan, Southwest China. Three cases are in remote mountainous areas with unique natural environment and special fauna and flora species, and one case is adjacent to developed urban area. The research project demonstrates that farmland and natural environment features around rural and urban areas cannot be considered as separate areas, independent of design considerations for the built environment. The cultivation of the landscape, protection of biodiversity, energy saving measures and villagers’ daily activities are closely linked to each other. The design and planning policies suitable for each village should be discussed with the participation of local villagers through a process of research into its characteristics and identities. Furthermore, the relationships between the rural economy, lifestyles and the landscape have significantly changed. Boundaries of natural environment and farming land are constantly shifting. In Yunnan, development of the local economy goes hand in hand with protection of biodiversity, encouragement for energy efficiency and long-term heritage protection. To encourage the participation by local communities, associated local policies need to consider improving commercial services, promoting economic development, and building local capacity for employment.