Exploring a Nature-Culture Approach to Improve the Resilience of a Heritage Site : A Case Study of Dujiangyan Old Town, China

Dujiangyan Old Town is the starting point of the Songmao ancient trade route, adjacent to the World Heritage site, Dujiangyan Irrigation System. The Old Town is surrounded by mountains and rivers and retains cultural heritages including the city walls, the mosques, temples, towers, and traditional wooden houses. It suffered during the Wenchuan earthquake (magnitude 8.0) in 2008 when over 80% of the buildings were damaged. The local government launched a three-year reconstruction plan with multiple objectives of heritage conservation, housing improvement, and tourism development. The post-earthquake reconstruction enforced the seismic performance of the buildings, improved the infrastructures, enhanced the traditional spatial features, and stimulated tourism. During the process, the number of residents reduced sharply, from 15,000 to 3,000, following a functional transition from residential to commercial. In addition, earthquakes and mudslides still threaten Old Town. Exploring a nature-culture approach is an urgent issue in order to improve the resilience of the Tow