Vernacular cultural landscapes and community well-being: A spatial review of health, identity, and resilience

Vernacular cultural landscapes (VCLs) are dynamic socio-ecological environments shaped by long-term interactions between communities, culture, and ecosystems, yet their contribution to community well-being remains fragmented across disciplines. This study synthesizes existing knowledge to examine how VCLs influence physical, mental, social, and environmental health. A hybrid narrative–scoping review was conducted, integrating interdisciplinary literature from cultural geography, environ-mental psychology, and public health. The findings indicate that VCLs support well-being through interconnected pathways: enabling physical activity through walkable, productive landscapes; enhancing mental health through culturally mean-ingful, nature-based settings; strengthening social cohesion through shared spaces and practices; and promoting environmental sustainability through traditional ecological knowledge. However, these benefits are context-dependent and shaped by governance, access, and socioeconomic conditions. The study concludes that VCLs function as liv-ing, health-supportive environments, offering valuable insights for integrated plan-ning and public health strategies.