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Spatio-temporal evolution and spatial patterns of traditional villages under multi-dimensional influential factors—a case study of Zhejiang Province, China

Guo, Yanlong; Wang, Longhao; Zhang, Ning; Huang, Jie

Spatio-temporal evolution and spatial patterns of traditional villages under multi-dimensional influential factors—a case study of Zhejiang Province, China Thumbnail


Authors

Yanlong Guo

Longhao Wang

Ning Zhang

Profile image of Jie Huang

Jie Huang jie.huang3@durham.ac.uk
PGR Student Doctor of Philosophy



Abstract

Introduction: Traditional villages in China, with a history spanning over thousands of years, reflect significant socio-cultural evolutions and ecological adaptations. Methods: In order to deeply explore the multidimensional factors affecting the layout and survival of villages, this study uses geographic data analysis, historical documentation, and ArcGIS 10.8 tools and applies spatial analysis methods such as kernel density, nearest neighbor index, disequilibrium index, and geodetic detector to characterise the layout of traditional villages and their influencing mechanisms in Zhejiang Province from the perspectives of spatial distribution, historical evolution, natural geography, and socio-economics. A systematic study was carried out. Results: The results of the study show that (1) the distribution of traditional villages in Zhejiang Province presents an unbalanced pattern of ‘double core and peripheral dispersion’, mainly concentrated in Lishui and Jinhua, with water resources and topographic conditions as the basis for aggregation; (2) the distribution of villages advances from northeast to southwest, reaching the peak of development in the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, reflecting the changes in national political policies This reflects the far-reaching influence of national political policy changes and ecological changes on village development; (3) Historical, geographic and social factors jointly play a role in the distribution of villages, in which geographic and natural factors such as elevation, precipitation, slope direction and water system dominate the siting and layout of villages. Discussion: This study identifies the key influence mechanisms of factors such as elevation and water system on the distribution of villages, enriches the understanding of the spatial pattern and development mode of traditional Chinese settlements, and provides references for the sustainable development and cultural preservation of traditional settlements around the world.

Citation

Guo, Y., Wang, L., Zhang, N., & Huang, J. (2025). Spatio-temporal evolution and spatial patterns of traditional villages under multi-dimensional influential factors—a case study of Zhejiang Province, China. Frontiers in Earth Science, 13, Article 1543256. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2025.1543256

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 6, 2025
Online Publication Date May 27, 2025
Publication Date May 27, 2025
Deposit Date Jul 15, 2025
Publicly Available Date Jul 15, 2025
Journal Frontiers in Earth Science
Electronic ISSN 2296-6463
Publisher Frontiers Media
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 13
Article Number 1543256
DOI https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2025.1543256
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4105157

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