Cultural Heritages Lead to Less Dense and Greener Cities—Evidence from 371 Chinese Cities

Cultural heritage sites play a significant role in shaping urban development, yet their impact on key urban outcomes remains underexplored. This study investigates how the number and proximity of heritage sites influence development through an analysis across 371 Chinese cities. Using a range of urban metrics, including population density, building height, urban form complexity, and green space accessibility, we find that cities with more heritage sites tend to exhibit lower population density (−0.168) and building height (−0.0314), respectively. These cities also show more complex urban forms and irregular city layouts, potentially caused by heritage preservations. We also analyze the impact of heritage sites on green accessibility, revealing that cities with more heritage sites have a higher green area per capita and better access to green spaces. Furthermore, our analysis of urban growth from 2000 to 2020 highlights the positive relationship between heritage sites and population growth (0.223), as well as the potential trade-offs between heritage preservation and GDPPC growth (−0.865). Our findings underscore the positive impacts of cultural heritage on urban development as well as address its potential trade-offs, highlighting the need for urban planning strategies that balance heritage preservation with sustainable growth and equitable access to green spaces.