Rural Landscape and Features of Manipulation of Natural Environment

Rural regions have a significant role in preservation of environmental values، folklores and tacit knowledge of nations. Herein، the potentials of natural environment mainly the ways by which a rural landscape can be manipulated by applying natural elements is of major consideration. Based on past and current studies، exploring this area of research can clearly delineate some of the ecological aspects of landscape، while it presents the state of equilibrium and sustainability of natural elements in specific climatic conditions of each region. From a Landscape Architecture point of view، the article aims to present part of carried out studies and researches within the cognition of identity of specifications embedded in rural landscapes with a primary focus on aspects of natural environment and therefore، it’s relevant to specific ecological circumstances. Including both national and international case studies، the research methodology rests on the studies of creditable bibliographies penned in the field of rural areas and countryside regions. More، with respect to the significance of “Ecology”، geographical conditions and social customs in the identity and formation of rural landscape، the article has its main concerns on the land manipulation and the role of natural elements in doing so. On the other hand، “neo-naturalism” approaches were taken into account whereas they have caused documentaries، fundamental studies and re-cognition of vernacular patterns in manipulation of rural landscape. Furthermore، such considerations are of more importance in Iranian plateau due to its specific climatic features and unique vernacular methods; there are plenty of outstanding exemplars of sustainable habitations in central parts of the plateau confirming such claim. Accordingly، the study attempts to answer the following questions:  What is the rural landscape and what are its features in terms of habitation and environmental values?  What is the role of natural environment and geographical space in the articulation of Rural Landscape?  What are the lessons taken from tacit knowledge and the manipulation of rural landscape? The studies confirm the important role of tacit environmental knowledge and ecological tendencies of people in benefitting from natural potentials and cultural values in order to shape habitation clusters and manipulate the landscape of any rural region. Consequently، some of the definitions and specifications regarding rural landscape، as well as scholars’ viewpoints of natural environmental capacities، habitation; the geographical space of a village، economy، lifestyle and eventually the cultural aspects of rural landscapes have been presented in this paper. Some case studies from Kharaneq، Maymand and Al-kas have been provided as in order to support the theories and discussions.