Architettura fortificata e paesaggi rurali nel sud della Cina

The research deals with the study of a part of fortified architecture found in two coastal regions of Southeast China, Guangdong and Fujian, as an experience of ways of living, which is based on an idea of ​​territory as "palimpsest", stratification of elements linked to intangible facts, history and memory of places that in different ways determine culture and identity of a territory. The relationship between urban morphology, architecture and geography is investigated as a possible project tool starting from an assumption that considers the territory as "system-architecture". Both studied areas, are rich in rivers, canals and lush vegetation and are characterized by a warm and humid tropical climate. Architectural characters of the analyzed case studies therefore represent a balanced combination of traditional Chinese and Western elements, due to their geographical location in historically crossroads of different cultures. UNESCO has already recognized the value of these architectural heritage in 2007, but the knowledge of these places and architectures is still very little investigated.