Spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of intangible cultural heritage in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao region

This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution and influencing factors of national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH) within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao (GHM) region. It utilizes Geographic Information System (GIS)-based spatial analysis methods, including the Nearest Neighbor Index (NNI) and Kernel Density Estimation. The results indicate that: (1) Macao exhibits the highest ICH density; (2) Guangzhou serves as a core clustering zone; (3) spatial centroids of ICH shift along a north–south–north trajectory across five historical stages; and (4) economic factors exert the most significant influence on ICH distribution, surpassing natural and cultural variables—diverging from previous studies that emphasized natural determinants. By integrating spatial analysis with historical contextualization, the study develops a robust methodological framework for assessing ICH dynamics across time and space. These findings offer empirical support for targeted heritage management and contribute to broader theoretical discussions on the spatial mobility of cultural heritage in urban and regional planning contexts.