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Long-Term Sustainability of Water Cellars in Traditional Chinese Villages: Factors Influencing Continuous Use and Effective Water Management Initiatives

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  • Weinan Zhou

    (Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan)

  • Kunihiko Matsumoto

    (Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan)

  • Masanori Sawaki

    (Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan)

Abstract

Traditional rainwater harvesting systems have seen a shift of emphasis in recent years. While recognizing its social, economic and environmental contributions, sustainable use in a modern context can be vulnerable. Through a case study, this study focuses on the long-term sustainability of water cellars in traditional villages if reliable piped water is introduced. The aim is to discern the factors and renovation methods that influence residents’ willingness to continue using these water cellars. The results show that the overall willingness to use them is very low. However, regardless of their continued use or non-use, only a few residents would landfill them. Most residents were interested in their renovation, especially regarding simplifying rainwater harvesting methods. In addition, the management time for rainwater harvesting and heritage identity is positively correlated with the willingness for sustainable use; conversely, the identification of the environmental contribution has no positive correlation. Given these findings, we propose carrying out effective renovation that changes the rainwater catchment surface to roofs and increases residents’ awareness that water cellars can only be heritage if they are in use. By defining the long-term sustainability of a water cellar, this study shows how a quantitative approach focusing on heritage users can offer important insights into a constructive evolution rather than a destructive reconstruction under the influence of modernization. Finally, this study provides planners and water resource managers with effective, sustainable management practices for water cellars as well as similar systems in a historical context.

Suggested Citation

  • Weinan Zhou & Kunihiko Matsumoto & Masanori Sawaki, 2021. "Long-Term Sustainability of Water Cellars in Traditional Chinese Villages: Factors Influencing Continuous Use and Effective Water Management Initiatives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-13, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:9:p:4394-:d:540115
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Amita Sinha, 2019. "Conservation of historic water systems in Champaner-Pavagadh, Gujarat, India," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(5), pages 588-599, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Pengfei Zhang & Menglin Xiao & Yanyan Dai & Zhaorui Zhang & Geng Liu & Jingbo Zhao, 2022. "Evaluation of Water Quality of Collected Rainwater in the Northeastern Loess Plateau," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Mathijs Ambaum & Rense Corten & Mattijs Lambooij & Monique van der Aa & Frenk van Harreveld & Vincent Buskens, 2024. "Determinants of Long-Term Water and Energy Conservation Behavior: An Integrated Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-17, May.

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