Mapping Traditional Village Cultural Landscape Research: A Systematic Bibliometric Analysis

Traditional villages epitomise the rural cultural heritage, embodying historical, cultural, scientific, artistic, economic and social significance, and are worthy of preservation efforts. This study conducts a systematic bibliometric analysis to understand the knowledge structure, prevailing themes, and emerging research paths within the realm of traditional village cultural landscapes (TVCL) from 1992 to 2023. Drawing upon data from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, we meticulously examined 830 articles and conference papers, employing VOSviewer and Citespace for comprehensive analysis. Our findings reveal a discernible upward trajectory in TVCL research and delineate three key components. Firstly, while countries like China and EU member states dominate TVCL-related scholarly output, an expanding cohort of nations is demonstrating burgeoning interest and influence in the field. Secondly, there exists a pervasive acknowledgement of the value and imperative of conserving TVCLs. Thirdly, recent efforts towards revitalising TVCLs have primarily centred on cultural, historical, and ecological dimensions, with a burgeoning exploration of sustainable local tourism pathways emerging as a pivotal trend for future development. By systematically scrutinising over three decades of publications, this study enriches our understanding of TVCL research and offers key insights to inspire future exploration in this evolving field.