Spatial distribution patterns and quantitative analysis of traditional villages in the Qiantang River Basin using geographic detectors

The distribution pattern and agglomeration characteristics of traditional villages play a crucial role as historical and cultural assets in rural development, emphasizing the significance of regional cultural preservation and rural revitalization. This study examines 362 national traditional villages in the Qiantang River Basin (QRB) in Zhejiang to uncover their spatial settlement patterns and analyze the influencing factors. Employing spatial analysis methods such as the nearest neighbor index, geographical concentration index, and kernel density estimation, the study elucidates the spatial distribution of these villages. Utilizing the geographical detector model, it identifies key factors associated with their spatial distribution, quantitatively assessing their explanatory power and interaction patterns among natural, economic, and cultural dimensions. The study also suggests strategies for the protection and sustainable use of traditional villages in the QRB. The research findings reveal that traditional villages in the QRB exhibit a clustered distribution pattern, characterized by a spatial structure of “two cores and multiple clusters”. This agglomeration tendency is observed at the county level, with a distinct pattern of concentration in the southwestern mountainous regions and sparsity in the northeastern plains. Various factors such as slope, altitude, per capita disposable income, road network density, and the proportion of the primary industry play significant roles in shaping the spatial distribution of these traditional villages. A multifactor detection model demonstrates that the distribution pattern of traditional villages in the QRB is a result of the dynamic interplay between natural features and human influences. The impact of each factor varies across different stages, highlighting the complex nature of village distribution. This quantitative analysis assesses the varying degrees of influence exerted by the natural environment, socioeconomic conditions, and historical heritage on the distribution of traditional villages, addressing limitations of previous qualitative studies. This study not only enhances our understanding of the factors driving the distribution of traditional villages but also provides a scientific foundation for the strategic conservation of these villages in the QRB and the management of cultural heritage on a basin-wide scale.