The study of Lanna Vernacular Landscape in the Community Context of Thai Scholars in Thailand During 2002 - 2021

Abstract

This article is a review article with two objectives: 1) to survey the status of selected academic works in the study of vernacular landscape studies of Thai scholars in Thailand and 2) to summarize the characteristics of the vernacular landscape of agricultural communities in Lanna from the previous studies. The study method is the principle of literature review. The authors collected selected academic works as a sample group published during 2002-2021, which were searched from the database of thesis and research of Thailand, such as 1) Thai digital collection, 2) Thai journals online, 3) National research council of Thailand, and 4) Thailand science research and innovation, totaling 26 items. The authors present the data analysis through descriptions and tables. First, the concepts and theories used in studying environments apart from architecture are built environment, cultural landscape, built landscape, and vernacular landscape. Most of the studies were qualitative research in rural areas. They focused on studying the characteristics or patterns of vernacular landscape, local knowledge related to vernacular landscape, and essential elements of the vernacular landscape. Second, the authors concluded the characteristics of the vernacular landscape of agricultural communities in Lanna from the previous study that the resulting landscape is a result of the villagers' management of the agricultural environment nature on the plains between the valleys in response to livelihoods. The use of physical space for living and agriculture represents local wisdom in solving problems from environmental conditions and organizing community rituals. The use of social space represents people's relationships in the community. Finally, the authors suggest the study direction that the scope of the study of the vernacular landscape of the community should be broadened and deepened, namely: consideration of the knowledge acquisition process of study to be completed, study with other sciences, study to create a database of landscape architecture, expanding the study area to cover rural areas, semi-urban areas, and urban areas, and public participation in the community. They are leading to the development of the study direction to be diverse, modern, and suitable for the context of the study area.