Towards a Rural Revitalization Strategy for the Courtyard Layout of Vernacular Dwellings Based on Regional Adaptability and Outdoor Thermal Performance in the Gully Regions of the Loess Plateau, China

In the context of the Chinese rural revitalization strategy, the unique residential characteristics of local vernacular dwellings formed by profound historical and cultural accumulation, climate characteristics, and residential lifestyle have undergone profound change in the gully regions of the Loess Plateau. Accordingly, the contradictions of traditional vernacular dwelling protection, increasing living requirements, and ecological protection have intensified. In this paper, with the aim of optimizing courtyard layout for vernacular dwellings, the thermal performance and regional adaptability of different courtyard layouts were analyzed using Ladybug and Honeybee tools. According to the thermal simulation within the courtyard, the current optimal layout type was determined, and then, several ecological optimization designs were proposed for the further improvement of it. The results revealed that the improved vernacular dwelling model has better regional adaptability, which corresponds to the local living culture and living habits, saves land resources, and provides a better thermal comfort performance. This research not only has a positive function for the protection of local architectural culture, but also plays an essential role in improving residents’ living comfort and living standards. We hope that the research results are meaningful and can be used as a reference for future rural construction in the Loess Plateau.

PRINCIPLES OF PROTECTION AND USE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SITES IN TERMS OF ECOLOGICAL OPTIMIZATION OF RESIDENTIAL AREAS

The article investigates the principles of protection and use of cultural heritage sites in terms of ecological optimization of residential areas. The concept of cultural heritage object is defined and the order of definition of protection zones of cultural heritage objects in the conditions of ecological optimization of settlement territories is established. The principles of formation of the status of a cultural heritage object are revealed and the legislative basis is described. The concept of "territory of cultural purpose" is separated. Describes the problems of protection of cultural heritage sites, the main of which include the complexity of the content of objects, the search for the necessary funds for restoration, to solve which it is necessary to attract external sources of funding other than the state. The generally accepted ways of solving the outlined problems are given and the principles of their realization are substantiated, namely the necessity of complex application is emphasized. The classification of the process of reconstruction of cultural heritage is presented, the main directions of which include: restoration, regeneration, revitalization, revaluation, improvement and new construction. Each of these classes is described according to the method of implementation on site. It is emphasized that the protection zones of cultural heritage sites are areas adjacent to the included in the register of monuments and ensembles, and within which, in order to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage sites and compositional and species links, the construction of capital construction projects and their reconstruction related to changes in height, number of floors, area, except for construction and reconstruction of linear objects. The boundaries of the protection zone of the cultural heritage object are structured according to the zones of location of the latter. The directions of the relation of the state supervision in the field of protection of objects of cultural heritage to the principles of realization of the state support are defined. The list of possible measures of influence of citizens and legal entities in the field of protection of cultural heritage objects in the conditions of ecological optimization of settlement territories is offered.

Ways to optimize steppe under of oil and gas production

Aim. To substantiate ways of geo‐ecological optimization of an oil and gas field landscape (through the example of the Volga‐Ural steppe region).Materials and Methods. The development of directions for geoecological optimization of landscape is based on the authors’ previously developed ideas about the transformation processes of landscape, the formation and stages of the oil and gas natural‐technogenic geosystem development, and the hierarchy and multi‐scale of technogenic changes of landscape.Results. Optimization solutions were developed for the successive stages of planning of oil and gas extraction, operation of an oil and gas natural‐technogenic geosystem field and the end of development and disposal of oil and gas facilities. The main direction of landscape optimization is highlighted and its tasks and principles formulated.Conclusion. Reducing technogenic impact on steppe landscape, its control and regulation is not only a problem of scientific research, but also one of the state of public consciousness and the setting of priorities by management bodies. Methods of reducing the impact and restoringsteppe landscapes can only be effective as a result of implementing a targeted policy of greening education and a corresponding change in public consciousness.

ENERGY-ECOLOGICAL EFFICIENCY OF AGROECOSYSTEM OF WEST KAZAKHSTAN

The negative balance of the reproduction of soil energy indicates a deep ecological and energy crisis in agriculture. Analyzed: indicators of the use of biological factors, such as solar energy and the energy of soil fertility, affect the ecological and economic efficiency of agricultural production; the efficiency of using solar energy and the coefficient of its efficiency. The required level of productivity has been determined to maintain the annual deficit-free soil balance in the western region of Kazakhstan. The necessity of state regulation to determine the critical threshold of the yield level to compensate for the deficiency of soil energy at the expense of other sources of organic matter has been substantiated. For the modernization and ecological optimization of agriculture, a bio-energetic model of individual crop rotations was built, which also includes indicators of crop yield, the degree of mineralization of soil organic matter and some other standard indicators.

A Review on the Progress of Ecological Environment Research and Improvement of the Yellow River Basin

Ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin is a major national strategy for regional economic growth and embodiment of green and coordinated policies. This paper expounds the research direction, implementation measures and existing achievements in the ecological theme for the Yellow River basin in China. It also introduces the methods to realize ecological optimization from the perspective of water resources, which is of certain significance for the further development of ecological protection and rational utilization of water resources in the basin.