Landscape character of Minangkabau Nagari: customary law-based Assessment of  Padang Limau Sundai, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Saraswati Sisriany; Muchammad Fadhillah Asyari; Mukhlis Pribadi

doi:10.24843/JAL.2026.v12.i02.p02

Authors

Saraswati Sisriany Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Riau
Muchammad Fadhillah Asyari Yayasan Abirama Lestari Indonesia, Bogor, Indonesia
Mukhlis Pribadi Yayasan Abirama Lestari Indonesia, Bogor, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24843/JAL.2026.v12.i02.p02

Keywords:

landscape character assessment, cultural landscape, indigenous knowledge, landscape planning, spatial analysis

Abstract

Rural landscapes in Indonesia are shaped by environmental processes and customary institutions, yet landscape studies often emphasize physical features while overlooking indigenous governance systems. This study identifies the landscape character of Nagari Padang Limau Sundai, South Solok Regency, West Sumatra, by integrating Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) with Minangkabau customary law. A qualitative case study approach was applied using field observation, spatial documentation, and secondary data review. The analysis followed the LCA process of delineating and clustering landscape units, using the seven key elements of Undang-Undang Nagari as culturally grounded indicators. The results show that Padang Limau Sundai is characterized by a settlement corridor along the Batang Sangir River, forested hills, agricultural mosaics, clustered hamlets, and communal institutions. These characteristics are expressed through customary organization of governance centers, circulation routes, productive land, traditional housing, burial areas, and religious facilities. The findings demonstrate that the landscape character of Padang Limau Sundai reflects long-term interactions between ecological conditions and adat-based territorial organization. Integrating customary law into LCA provides a context-sensitive approach to interpreting Indonesian cultural landscapes and strengthens understanding of rural landscape identity and continuity

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