the genes of tulou a study on the preservation and sustainable development of tulou土楼的基因研究土楼的保护和可持续发展.pdfVIP

Sustainability 2012, 4, 3377-3386; doi:10.3390/su4123377 OPEN ACCESS sustainability ISSN 2071-1050 /journal/sustainability Article The Genes of Tulou: A Study on the Preservation and Sustainable Development of Tulou Shao-Sen Wang *, Su-Yu Li and Shi-Jie Liao School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China; E-Mails: njfishli@ (S.-Y.L.); 309725690@ (S.-J.L.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: w3m@. Received: 19 October 2012; in revised form: 28 November 2012 / Accepted: 11 December 2012 / Published: 18 December 2012 Abstract: This paper analyzes the formation of Tulou villages and the characteristics of Tulou buildings. The genes of the Tulou are examined within the unique physical forms and the significant social culture background. The paper is concerned with how to apply the valuable genes in the preservation and sustainable development of Tulou with a special case analysis. Keywords: Tulou; genes; preservation; sustainable development; Hakka culture; earthen buildings; round houses; sustainability 1. Introduction Tulou is a unique type of rural dwelling in China which carries with it its social background, history, and local culture [1–4]. The Tulou provides an important architectural gene pool, in which many valuable genes can be abstracted for contemporary architectural design [5,6]. The gene of Tulou refers to a combination of factors which affected the formation and development of Tulou, as well