Research on the Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics and Accessibility of Traditional Villages Based on Geographic Information Systems—A Case Study of Shandong Province, China

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The traditional settlements are of paramount significance as indispensable elements of China’s cultural heritage, simultaneously functioning as prime assets for the enhancement of rural economic and social dynamics. Nestled within the comprehensive framework of China’s rural revitalization endeavor and Shandong Province’s proactive initiatives toward the amalgamation of cultural and tourism sectors, a meticulous exploration of the spatiotemporal evolution and connectivity of traditional villages in Shandong Province is indispensable for their preservation and forward-thinking evolution. For this study, 557 traditional villages across Shandong Province are identified as pivotal points, with the application of geographic information system (GIS) techniques to scrutinize their spatiotemporal transformation patterns and spatial characteristics. Additionally, a suite of analytical instruments, encompassing metrics for accessibility assessment, ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression, and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models, are deployed to evaluate the accessibility levels and influential factors shaping traditional villages within the region. The analytical outcomes reveal the following: (1) Chronologically, approximately 80% of the traditional villages in the province of Shandong were established during the Ming and Qing epochs, and they demonstrate a migratory pattern that is spatially and temporally oriented from “southwest to northeast”; geographically, these traditional villages are characterized by pronounced clustering, predominantly situated at the confluence of Jinan and Zibo Cities, the Shantou District of Zaozhuang City, Zhaoyuan City of Yantai City, and Rongcheng City of Weihai City, forming a coherent “four-core” spatial distribution configuration. (2) Considering the criteria for village location, traditional villages in Shandong are predominantly found in areas with a predominantly flat landscape and a certain proximity to water bodies. (3) On the whole, the accessibility of traditional villages in Shandong is relatively high, with the average accessibility assessed at 199.92 min, a range spanning from 175 min, and approximately 57.99% of the villages falling within the 100 to 200 min accessibility bracket, indicating a systematic decline in accessibility from the central areas to the periphery. (4) The pivotal factors influencing the accessibility of traditional villages in Shandong are primarily altitude, slope, and road network density, with altitude and slope showing a negative correlation with accessibility, whereas road network density exhibits a positive correlation, and the proximity to water bodies has a relatively minor impact on accessibility.