Fractal Characteristics of the Spatial Texture in Traditional Miao Villages in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, China

Abstract

Traditional villages are the crystallization of the wisdom of human beings when living harmoniously with nature. The spatial texture of villages is complex, vague, and uncertain, making it difficult to describe with traditional Euclidean geometric spatial measurement methods. Based on the fractal theory, this study analyzes the texture of traditional Miao villages in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, China. It constructs an index system that is suitable for the fractal characteristics of traditional Miao villages. This study uses aggregation fractal dimension and capacity fractal dimension to reflect the spatial aggregation and complexity of the traditional villages, and employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to explore the influencing factors of spatial texture, thereby revealing the characteristics of the spatial texture of traditional villages and their relationship with the ecological environment in the process of continuous development. The research results show the following: (1) There is a significant coupling relationship among the capacity fractal dimensions of the research objects in the sampled villages, indicating that the village textures exhibit clear fractal characteristics. The villages, whether in terms of location selection or development degree, show a good fit with the surrounding environment, maintaining a relatively good original state. (2) Human factors have the greatest impact on the texture of the traditional villages, followed by natural and historical factors, economic policies, and social factors. This study provides specific development strategies for traditional Miao villages in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, offering a scientific basis for their sustainable development. It also explores a new approach for the study and conservation of the spatial morphology in traditional villages of ethnic minorities in China.