Sustaining urban memory through oyster shell Architecture: constructing an evaluation framework for vernacular heritage Planning in Guangzhou

Abstract

This study tackles the preservation of oyster shell walls, a unique Lingnan vernacular architectural heritage, amid Guangzhou’s urbanization. Facing commercial development, material degradation, and cultural identity loss, a systematic evaluation framework for vernacular heritage planning is established. Using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Delphi expert interviews, and community questionnaires, a comprehensive assessment system with four dimensions (historical preservation, environmental protection, style coordination, economic sustainability) and twelve indicators is developed. Input from 36 experts and 30 stakeholders, validated by consistency tests (CR < 0.1), shows visual aesthetics (weight: 1.641) and landscape harmony (1.4608) are critical. Gaps exist in traditional technique preservation (38% material degradation) and sustainable utilization (62% commercial adaptation satisfaction). The study advances a tailored evaluation system, blending international principles with regional needs, and proposes community maintenance, climate-adaptive restoration, and cultural tourism strategies as a replicable model. It demonstrates how systematic assessment balances heritage preservation and urban planning.