Quantitative Research of Traditional Village Morphology Based on Spatial Genes: A Case Study of Shaanxi Province, China

• Published in: Sustainability 2024-10, Vol.16 (20), p.9003
• Main Authors: Zhang, Weidi, Yang, Hanyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Architecture; Cultural heritage; Cultural property, Protection of; Environmental aspects; Geographic information systems; Geography; Methods; Social aspects; Social science research; Traditional knowledge; Villages
• ISSN: 2071-1050; 2071-1050
• DOI: 10.3390/su16209003

As urbanization accelerates, many traditional villages face the threat of destruction or disappearance. To better protect and utilize the cultural heritage of traditional villages, it is essential to deeply analyze the inherent patterns of their spatial morphology. This paper selects Nihegou Village in Yulin City, Shaanxi Province, China, as a case study. Utilizing the theory of spatial genes, a quantitative inheritance model was developed, integrating natural, physical, and intangible spatial factors. Through the collection of multidimensional spatial data, such as village topography, slope, and aspect, combined with GIS spatial analysis and the AHP-Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method, the spatial morphological characteristics and genetic inheritance of Nihegou Village were identified, decoded, and quantitatively assessed. Based on the assessment results, corresponding conservation and development strategies were formulated. The findings show that the formation and development of Nihegou Village’s spatial pattern are closely related to factors like the natural environment, social policies, and economic technologies. The terrain and the process of urban modernization have impacted the inheritance and development of Nihegou Village’s intangible spatial genes. The application of spatial quantitative analysis methods to formulate strategies for the preservation and inheritance of traditional village spatial characteristics not only provides theoretical guidance for village planning and conservation rooted in cultural heritage, but also effectively safeguards and revitalizes the spatial gene inheritance of Nihegou Village, contributing to the village’s sustainable development.