Evaluation of spatial form and activation strategies of traditional villages using spatial information technology

Abstract

Traditional villages are important carriers of regional cultural inheritance. The challenge of utilizing spatial information technology to protect and preserve the architectural spatial patterns and regional context of traditional villages has attracted significant attention. This study focuses on Biasha Miao village in Guizhou province, China, as the case study. Digital information technology was used to evaluate the architectural spatial texture and typical street space characteristics of different villages. Using the DepthMap model of space syntax and parameters such as integration, average depth value, and connectivity, the article examines the spatial form of traditional villages across three aspects: overall space, street space, and point-like public space. In the end, a spatial activation optimization strategy was proposed. The results showed that the spatial layout of buildings in different villages is closely related to the distribution characteristics of landscape elements such as landform, water system, and farmland, as well as residents’ production, lifestyle, and regional culture. Da village and Zaige new village are well-connected to the main traffic roads connecting them to the outside world, resulting in high spatial permeability and a more extroverted spatial development. Most public spaces are located near the main village road, offering good accessibility, or at the geometric center of the village, where they serve critical roles in cultural display and distribution. This study proposes targeted activation strategies focusing on road traffic, street layout, and spatial nodes to optimize and enhance the spatial quality of traditional villages, improve residents’ living environments, and provide practical guidance for the sustainable development of traditional village spaces.