Study on the coupling characteristics of traditional village protection and development in North China

China boasts a total of 8,155 traditional villages, collectively forming the world’s largest, most content-rich and valuable, best-preserved, and living heritage cluster of agricultural civilization. Amidst the dual challenges posed by urbanization and rural modernization, the preservation and utilization of these traditional villages face unprecedented hurdles. A pivotal issue that arises in this context is how to strike a balance between conservation and development. This research focuses on the interplay between the preservation and development of traditional villages. To achieve this, an evaluation index system was established to assess the protection and utilization of traditional villages, in conjunction with a coupled coordination measurement model. Key findings include: 1. There are notable differences in the levels of protection and development of traditional villages across various provinces in the North China region, with Beijing standing out as the top performer. 2. On the whole, the protection and development of traditional villages in North China demonstrate a largely harmonious state, though some areas show signs of imbalance. 3. Key factors contributing to the variations in village protection and development encompass transportation, socio-economic elements, and policy management mechanisms.