Spatial Distribution and Land Use of Traditional Villages in Southwest China

Xiye Zheng,Jiahui Wu,Hongbing Deng

doi:10.3390/su13116326

Abstract

Traditional villages are the historical and cultural heritage of people around the world. With the increases in urbanization and industrialization, the continuation of traditional villages and the inheritance of historical and cultural heritage are facing risk. Therefore, to grasp the spatial characteristics of them and the human–nature interaction mechanism in Southwest China, we analyzed the distribution pattern of traditional villages using the ArcGIS software. Then, we further analyzed the spatial clustering characteristics, influencing factors and landscape pattern, and put forward relevant protection countermeasures and suggestions. The results revealed that traditional villages in Southwest China were clustered, being mainly distributed in areas with relatively low elevation, gentle slopes, low relative positions, nearby water sources, and convenient transportation. They can be divided into four categories due to obvious differences in influencing factors such as elevation, slope, relative position, distance to the nearest river, population density, etc. The landscape pattern of traditional villages differed among the different clusters, being mainly composed of forests, shrubs, and cultivated land. With the increase in the buffer radius, the landscape pattern of them changed significantly. The results of this study reflect that traditional villages and the natural environment are interdependent, so the protection of traditional villages should carry out measures according to local conditions.

Highlights

Traditional villages, termed ancient villages, refer to those with both material and intangible cultural heritage [1]
High-density aggregation areas formed in Southeast with obvious regional differences
Southwest China, the landscape fragmentation of the traditional village significantly decreased with the increase in the buffer radius

Summary

Introduction

Traditional villages, termed ancient villages, refer to those with both material and intangible cultural heritage [1]. They have important historical, cultural, scientific, artistic, social, and economic value [2]. With the rapid urbanization and industrialization rate in China, reaching 60.60% and 39.56% in 2019, respectively, villages are experiencing population outflow and ecological destruction [3,4,5], which are posing considerable obstacles to the protection and development of these villages. From 2010 to 2018, the number of natural villages in China decreased by 10.2%, and the rural permanent population decreased by 6.7% [6], which has led to the gradual disappearance of some traditional villages. Scientifically establishing protection mechanisms and maintaining the sustainable development of them have become the current concerns of both managers and researchers [7,8]

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion