Research on the Preservation of Ming Dynasty Southwest Weicheng Based on Spatial Gene Theory：Taking Guizhou Pu’an Fortress as an Example

As the core of the military system constructed by the Ming Dynasty to stabilize the southwest⁃ern border area， the garrison town settlements possess distinctive characteristics of Han immigrant cul⁃ture and military defense， giving them with high recognizability and cultural landscape value.This study took Pu’an Fortress， a key military garrison town at the junction of three southwestern provinces during the Ming Dynasty， as an example. Using spatial gene theory and related technologies， it constructed a research path for identify⁃ing， extracting， analyzing， and inheriting the spatial genes of Pu’an Fortress. Following this path， the study identified spatial elements in multiple spatial layers and categories at key historical stages， employing methods such as historical map deciphering， literature review， and qualitative analysis. The characteris⁃tics and inner development mechanisms of the spatial genes of garrison towns were then extracted and analyzed. Finally， these spatial genes were translated into new development structures and functions，providing a reference for the conservation， sustainable development， and regional urban design of tradi⁃tional settlements in Southwest China.