The Spatial Evolution and Geographical Structure of Educational Places in Xi'an(1900-1949)

This paper examines the profound spatial transformation of educational establishments in Xi'an from the late Qing Dynasty (c. 1900) to the end of the Republican period (1949). This half-century witnessed an unprecedented shift in the hierarchical system and geographical distribution of schools, driven by educational modernization, political upheaval, and urban expansion. By employing a multi-temporal spatial analysis focused on the urban core and its immediate periphery at four critical junctures—1911, 1931, 1939, and 1949—this study meticulously traces the evolving distribution patterns and geographical structures. It argues that the evolution of educational space was a complex process characterized by the inheritance of traditional urban patterns, innovation spurred by new policies, disruption caused by warfare, and reconfiguration influenced by demographic and economic changes. The findings illuminate the intricate relationship between educational development, urban space, and broader socio-political forces in the modernization of a major Chinese city.