Architectural characteristics and preservation status of traditional dwellings in Luoshan County, Henan

Rapid urbanization has placed Chinese traditional dwellings at growing risk of loss. Luoshan County, a representative area of southern Henan culture, retains a substantial stock of such dwellings, partly because the northern foothills of the Dabie Mountains have offered geographical protection. However, most remain lack formal grading and are therefore highly vulnerable to natural decay and human disturbance. Using primary data from the Fourth National Census of Cultural Heritage, this study investigates 55 groups of traditional dwellings in Luoshan County. It examines their architectural characteristics at two scales, courtyard complexes and individual building units, and develops a hierarchical assessment of preservation status. Based on this assessment, the study proposes targeted conservation strategies linked to architectural grading. The study contributes a regionally grounded framework for understanding and managing vulnerable heritage in rapidly transforming rural China.