A Primary Exploration of Ancient Towns Classification and the Protective Utilization of Resource Based Ancient Towns in China

Towns are a major type of human settlements.According to their formation and social functions,ancient towns can be classified into five categories: rural settlements,regional trading centers,resource based towns,military towns and cultural landscapes.Resource based towns were formed in the process of developing and utilizing the natural resources in a certain area,reflecting the social changes of the region and constituting the local culture and memories.Aiming at serving the local people,the protective utilization focuses on creating a harmonious integration of their physical forms and cultural connotations as well as the surrounding settings of these resource based ancient towns so as to exhibit the historical information and heritage value conveyed by them.