MIASU Research Seminar – 11 November – Yushu Liang

Spatial Reconfiguration in the Process of Nomadic–Sedentary Transition: An Architectural Anthropology Study of Vernacular Dwellings in Alashan

Yushu Liang (Nanjing University & MIASU Visiting Scholar) 

Part I: The Evolution of Residential Space in Alashan offers a historical narrative centered on the Alashan region, documenting morphological shifts in local vernacular dwellings. Through historical analysis and typological study of residential spatial forms, this section traces the diachronic process of social transition from a nomadic to a sedentary lifestyle. It identifies key historical turning points and elucidates the underlying drivers of change. The primary aim is to examine the dual interaction between the evolution of dwelling forms and the transformation of social identity among the Mongolian population in Alashan. The findings illustrate a clear trajectory of inheritance and adaptation—from traditional yurts to settled structures—shedding light on the complex interrelations among diverse cultural types throughout this transition.

Part II: 24 Homes in the Desert draws on case studies of 24 contemporary herder families in the Badain Jaran Desert to depict lived experiences of “home.” These households constitute nearly all permanent residents within the desert natural heritage zone, presented here as an uncurated sample. By compiling individual family narratives, this section constructs a collective portrait of contemporary desert settlement. Using micro-scale, thick description, it categorizes spatial organization types and building techniques of settled dwellings, extracting the “nomadic essence” embedded within these spaces—and tracing its contemporary evolution. This analysis reveals processes of identity renegotiation embodied in the everyday spatial practice of local vernacular architecture.

Part III: How to Dwell and With What to Dwell offers a comprehensive account of renovation initiatives in Alashan during Inner Mongolia’s “Ten Full Coverages” project. It critically examines how new village constructions failed owing to their disconnection from production needs, and how dilapidated house renovations—driven by technical inadequacies and a politicized “eliminate earthen houses” campaign—caused irreversible loss of pastoral heritage. Subsequent remedial efforts, such as the “Ten Models of All-Region Tourism” , resorted to symbolic invention of tradition, which further estranged residents through impractical designs and unfulfilled economic promises, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and identity crises. The study concludes by reflecting on design interventions, through over three years of practical experimentation in the heart of the desert, an experiential residence—"the Home in the Badain Jaran Desert”—was constructed. Employing contemporary innovative designs that integrate local materials and building wisdom, this project proposes a sustainable paradigm for pastoral settlement, striving to bridge policy critique with tangible solutions.