Regional characteristics of the point-like historical water supply facilities of traditional villages in semi-arid China

Abstract

In this study, we use the integrated concept of the “historical water supply facility” to advance the regional characterization of point-like facilities. Eighteen villages in eastern Shanxi Province, which has a typical semi-arid climate, were taken as the study area, and data were collected by field observations and in-depth interviews. The results reveal that the natural environment, specifically the terrain and river systems, influenced the formation of water cellars and water-logging pools, but had less direct effects on well construction. The formation of these facilities was eventually influenced by the residents pursuing stability and exhibiting a preference for water resources. Furthermore, under the pressure of survival, the types of facilities gradually diversified, while the numbers changed dynamically. Additionally, water cellars exhibited a minor correlation with the flood prevention, environmental sanitation, and yard drainage facilities of the village. These findings demonstrate that the core issue in the formation of diversified regional water supply characteristics is the attempt to find a balance between nature and water use/flood prevention, an embodiment of the explicit recognition of limited self-ability.

Keywords

• water resources in semi-arid china
• traditional rainwater harvesting system
• water supply formation mechanism
• water cellar
• water consumption pattern