Network Construction for Overall Protection and Utilization of Cultural Heritage Space in Dunhuang City, China

Abstract

An important recent issue in research is the effective protection and rational utilization of cultural heritage. In particular, the regional protection and utilization network of heritage space is the overall requirement for promoting cultural protection and high-quality development of its industry. Using Dunhuang city, Gansu Province, China, as a case study, it is argued here that the cultural heritage space is a living unit that is composed of not only cultural heritage but also its overall environment. By identifying the key historical factors of Dunhuang’s regional cultural heritage space, this paper explores the conservation factors and utilization factors. The suitability of the conservation factors and utilization factors is assessed through a two-way index of conservation and utilization. In addition, using a field strength model that considered various factors, the suitability characteristics of conservation and utilization were summarized. It was found that the conservation and utilization space of Dunhuang’s cultural heritage had three network features: same level overlap, primary and secondary combination, and significant differentiation. At the same time, these formed an organization network of “patch collage and corridor concatenation” and the network of “mine field pattern and branch extension”. From this, the sustainable development of the Dunhuang cultural space network can be realized through the combinations of site protection and ecological protection and environmental utilization and ecological restoration.