Abstract
This research focusing on the world architectural heritage sites registered in the World Heritage List established by UNESCO aimed to analyze its spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors at the world and regional level to provide a scientific basis for further architectural heritage conservation. Firstly, this study explored the spatial distribution characteristics of the world architectural heritage sites using the ArcGIS spatial analysis method. Then, we used the space–time statistical method to analyze their spatial and temporal distribution characteristics. The main findings are as follows: (1) world architectural heritage sites are distributed in clusters with imbalanced patterns and a strong degree of concentration: in Western Europe, Eastern Asia, and Northwestern Latin America, with clear country distribution, especially in Italy, China, and Mexico; (2) the time of construction can be divided into four stages: the ancient historic sites stage, the uniform and stable stage, the stage of growth in Asia and Europe, and the stage of growth in Europe, America, and Africa; (3) different types of heritage sites are unevenly distributed, and the type distribution differs significantly between regions, with regional uniqueness. The authors also analyzed the influencing factors of the spatial distribution characteristics and highlighted the important influence of the geographical environment, historical evolution, economic strength and discourse power, international heritage protection situation, and registration policy. This study may provide basis for specific guidance and directions for heritage protection for various countries and regions.
Highlights
The protection of cultural and natural heritage is a cultural trend affecting the world and a cultural hotspot concerning governments, people, and various international and regional organizations [1,2]
The results show that the average observation distance d is 180,428.4902 m, the expected average distance dE is 304,183.9475 m, and the nearest neighbor ratio is 0.59, less than 1, which shows that the world architectural heritage sites are clustered in space
The number, registration time, construction time, and type distribution of heritage sites in each geographical division are different, which is related to the geographical environment, historical process, economic strength, international heritage protection situation, and registration policy
Summary
The protection of cultural and natural heritage is a cultural trend affecting the world and a cultural hotspot concerning governments, people, and various international and regional organizations [1,2]. The UNESCO 1972 World Heritage Convention defines architectural heritage as cultural heritage monuments, groups of buildings and sites with the outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art, or science [26]. Groups of separate or connected buildings which, because of their architecture, their homogeneity, or their place in the landscape, are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art, or science They are illustrative of the evolution of human society and settlement over time, under the influence of the physical constraints and/or opportunities presented by their natural environment and of successive social, economic, and cultural forces, both external and internal. The concept of heritage routes is shown to be a rich and fertile one, offering a privileged framework in which mutual understanding, a plural approach to history, and a culture of peace can all operate
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