A systematic literature review of environmental attributes in traditional village conservation

Traditional villages are one of the most valuable assets for cultural heritage protection and have a profound historical and cultural significance. The environmental attributes of these villages are critical not only for cultural preservation but also for ecological balance and the sustainability of their natural surroundings, both of which are integral to effective conservation practices. However, the identification of these attributes remains inadequately addressed in current literature. To bridge this gap, this systematic review analyzed 58 articles sourced from the Web of Science database, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, employing bibliometric analysis tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace to visualize thematic clusters and citation networks. The results indicate that environmental factors that influence village conservation can be categorized into two main types: (i) Physical attributes, including not only spatial layout and architectural elements but also culturally significant physical structures such as ancestral halls, sacred sites, and ritual spaces; and (ii) natural attributes such as landscape features and ecological characteristics. However, most of the literature fails to consider both types of factors comprehensively. The findings emphasize the need for an integrated approach to conservation that considers both tangible and intangible environmental attributes. Suggestions for future research include interdisciplinary studies and the application of advanced technologies in conservation practices.