Spatial form and formation process of irrigation district cultural landscapes: the Songgu irrigation District, Zhejiang, China

Considering the threat of urbanization, exploring the multilevel spatial characteristics of irrigation district cultural landscapes (IDCLs) is crucial for their sustainable conservation. This study employs a multiscale framework and interdisciplinary approach to reveal the spatial pattern characteristics of the Songgu IDCL, a World Heritage Irrigation Structure in China. Two typical irrigation district unit types, four farmland texture types, and three settlement distribution types are identified, and the water–society management systems are clarified. The results indicate that IDCLs are multilayered systems driven primarily by their irrigation infrastructure. Water–society management maintains and reconfigures spatial patterns by regulating resource allocation and resolving conflicts of interest. These findings deepen our understanding of the spatial characteristics and evolutionary patterns of IDCLs, thereby providing a scientific basis for their living conservation and value regeneration.