Spatial patterns and influencing factors of traditional villages in developed regions: a case study of Zhejiang Province, China

Traditional villages play a vital role in rural development by promoting the revitalization of China's rural areas and the rejuvenation of national culture. This study examines 701 national traditional villages in Zhejiang Province, analyzing their spatial distribution using the nearest neighbor index, and kernel density analysis. Geographic detectors were employed to quantitatively identify the factors influencing spatial distribution and their interaction effects. Findings indicate: (1) Traditional villages in Zhejiang Province display unique spatial agglomeration characteristics described as "two cores and multiple points," accompanied by notable ethnic differentiation. Predominantly, minority villages are situated in the mountainous regions of southwestern Zhejiang. (2) Elevation, per capita disposable income, social fixed asset investment, per capita GDP, are key factors driving the spatial differentiation of traditional villages in the region. (3) Cross detection reveals that the spatial distribution of traditional villages in Zhejiang Province has evolved through the combined influence of natural, economic, and social factors. This evolution encompasses periods characterized by natural environmental location and subsequent preservation amid socio-economic development. The study quantifies the impact of natural and economic factors on the distribution and preservation of traditional villages in China's developed provinces, identifying the influence of residential income and social fixed asset investment on their retention patterns.