Spatiotemporal Analysis of Traditional Villages in Southern Jiangsu Based on GIS and Historical Data

Abstract

This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution and evolution of traditional villages in southern Jiangsu Province, China. By integrating historical documents, remote sensing images, and socio-economic statistics, we have applied standard geographic information system (GIS) methods, including kernel density estimation, nearest neighbor analysis, and standard deviation ellipse analysis, to examine the patterns and driving forces behind village formation and transformation. The findings are as follows: (1) The spatial distribution of the villages exhibits a spatial pattern of “peripheral agglomeration and central decline,” with a nearest neighbor index value of 0.84 (z = −2.52, p < 0.05), indicating a significantly clustered distribution. Kernel density analysis revealed high-density zones along the southwestern coast of Taihu Lake and southeastern Dianshan Lake. (2) From the Song to the Qing Dynasty, village migration followed three sequential phases, “stabilizing near water → avoiding risks around water → adapting inland,” showing strong spatiotemporal linkages to climate change and warfare. (3) The density of the villages showed a significant negative correlation with the per capita GDP (Moran’s I = −0.69, p < 0.05; 0.69, p < 0.01) and was positively correlated with the proportion of primary industry. These findings highlight the spatial resilience characteristics of traditional villages under combined natural and socio-economic pressures and provide a theoretical foundation for regional heritage conservation and rural revitalization strategies.

1. Introduction

Traditional villages are invaluable cultural landscapes that preserve the history, architecture, and lifestyle of agrarian societies. In the context of rapid urbanization and modernization, these settlements represent a vital component of China’s cultural heritage system and play a key role in promoting rural revitalization and sustainable development [1]. However, urbanization and modernization pose significant challenges to their protection and revitalization. Urban expansion, land reallocation, and demographic shifts have profoundly impacted the social structures and cultural ecologies of these villages. Many traditional villages in China face decline, disrepair, or even disappearance. The number of natural villages in China has sharply decreased, from 3.77 million in 1990 to 2.33 million in 2022 [2]. Statistics have revealed that an average of over 70 villages disappeared daily in 2001 [3], underscoring the ongoing crisis facing these communities. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the spatial and temporal characteristics as well as the evolution patterns of village development. This understanding will provide the foundation for formulating adaptive and sustainable conservation strategies, which are key to revitalizing these villages and maintaining their vitality [4].

In response, the government has introduced several measures, including the “Measures for the Selection of Famous Historical and Cultural Towns (Villages) in China” [5], guiding municipalities to prioritize the protection and utilization of traditional villages. That document establishes explicit evaluation criteria encompassing historical value, cultural value, and integrity of traditional patterns, among other requirements. It mandates formal listing and protection statuses for selected villages, requires the preparation of conservation plans, and establishes mechanisms for regular monitoring and assessment. These efforts aim to strengthen the safeguarding of cultural heritage. Traditional villages, as cultural carriers, continue to attract significant academic attention across various disciplines.

Domestic research has largely focused on village protection and development [6,7], spatial distribution characteristics and evolutionary mechanisms [8,9,10,11,12,13,14], rural tourism [15,16], and cultural landscapes [17,18]. However, most studies have been conducted at the macro scale, with insufficient research at the meso-micro scale and municipal level. Research has examined the national distribution of traditional villages and their influencing factors [19], while analyses have explored the relationship between intangible cultural heritage and the spatial distribution of villages in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan [20]. Nonetheless, regional studies have been primarily concentrated in central and western China and among ethnic minority areas, with insufficient research on the eastern region [16]. Additionally, the existing studies lack comprehensive analyses of human and social elements as well as in-depth investigations into the historical and temporal dimensions of village development.

International research on traditional villages has extensively covered rural settlements, vernacular architecture, and historical towns, focusing on the preservation of vernacular architecture [21,22,23], the relationship between social organization and settlements [24], and the interaction between cultural landscapes and tourism [25]. However, these studies have often emphasized static preservation approaches and overlooked the dynamic, long-term spatiotemporal evolution of rural settlements. Moreover, few studies have integrated quantitative GIS analysis with historical processes.

Despite growing scholarly interest, current research on traditional villages has revealed several limitations. Most studies have been conducted at national or provincial scales, offering macro-level insights but lacking fine-grained spatial analysis at the meso or micro level. Moreover, regional studies are often concentrated in central and western China or minority areas, with less attention to the developed eastern regions like the Yangtze River Delta. Additionally, many studies have focused predominantly on natural or spatial factors, with insufficient integration of historical, social, and economic elements in the analysis. Research that incorporates the temporal dimension and the historical development of villages remains scarce. These gaps highlight the need for comprehensive and localized studies to support policymaking and sustainable conservation planning.

Suzhou is located in the south of Jiangsu Province. The region features a dense water network, flat topography, and a long history of rice cultivation and craft production, making it an ideal area to study the long-term spatial evolution of traditional villages. As a representative region of the Jiangnan water towns, Suzhou provides both historical depth and contemporary challenges in heritage preservation.

Building on this foundation, this study integrates GIS spatial analysis with historical literature to systematically examine the distribution patterns and evolutionary characteristics of traditional villages in Suzhou from both temporal and spatial perspectives. It defines spatiotemporal distribution as the manifestation of village distribution patterns across geographic space and historical time and investigates the influence of natural and socio-economic factors on these patterns. Temporally, this study reviews historical records to construct a chronological timeline of village formation and identify trends in development. Spatially, it applies GIS-based methods to analyze the distribution patterns of these villages. Finally, by integrating both temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and incorporating relevant influencing factors, overlay analysis is employed to reveal the mechanisms underlying their evolution. The goal is to provide theoretical support for the scientific protection and rational revitalization of these villages, offering decision-making guidance for policymakers and urban planners to promote harmonious coexistence with modern society. The research outcomes aim to provide an empirical foundation for the conservation and development of similar villages, injecting new vitality to ensure their sustainability in contemporary society.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Area: Southern Jiangsu Province

Suzhou, located in southeastern Jiangsu Province, lies within the core area of the Yangtze River Delta. It borders Shanghai to the east and Taihu Lake to the west and is traversed by a dense network of rivers and lakes, including Yangcheng Lake and Dianshan Lake. The region features flat terrain, fertile plains, and abundant water resources, forming ideal conditions for early human settlement and agricultural development.

Historically, Suzhou has maintained continuous settlement patterns since the Neolithic period, particularly during the Majiabang and Liangzhu cultures [26]. The integration of water-based transportation and rice cultivation fostered the emergence of clustered rural settlements. During imperial times, stable administrative divisions and cultural governance further supported the sustained development of traditional villages.

These unique geographical and historical features make Suzhou a highly representative area for studying the spatial distribution and preservation patterns of traditional villages in eastern China.

2.2. Data Sources

This study identified traditional villages in Suzhou City based on three criteria: (a) the list of traditional Chinese villages published by the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development and other departments since 2012 [27]; (b) the list of Chinese historical and cultural villages published by the Ministry of Construction and the National Cultural Heritage Administration since 2003 [28]; and (c) the list of provincial-level traditional villages published by Jiangsu Province since 2020 [29]. Further based on the Suzhou local chronicles and other literature, combined with Google Maps, village names and corresponding geographical locations were determined, and the villages that were repeated in the three lists were removed. Finally, 67 traditional villages in Suzhou were selected as the research sample (Figure 1).

The geographic coordinates of the traditional villages were extracted from Google Maps. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data were obtained from the Geospatial Data Cloud of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Some traditional villages may have experienced geographic relocation over time while retaining their original names; such cases were excluded due to a lack of continuous spatial records. Water system and road traffic data were sourced from the OpenStreetMap platform. Socio-economic data were drawn from the Suzhou Statistical Yearbook—2023, published by the Suzhou Bureau of Statistics. It should be noted that although the traditional villages originate from historical periods, the socio-economic data used in this study are from 2023. These current indicators help assess the present development pressures and survival conditions of historically formed villages, which remain active spatial units within contemporary urban–rural systems. The village formation dates and other historical information were primarily derived from county, town, and village records. For villages lacking clear founding dates in the local records, formation dates were inferred from the oldest existing historical sites. Data processing was conducted using the ArcGIS 10.6 software.

2.3. Methods

The spatiotemporal distribution of the traditional villages was analyzed along four dimensions: (1) temporal quantity distribution; (2) spatial distribution patterns; (3) historical evolutionary features; and (4) influencing factors.

Temporal quantity distribution reflects the socio-economic impacts on village formation, spatial distribution patterns indicate the natural constraints on settlement locations, and historical evolutionary features synthesize the spatiotemporal dynamics across historical periods. Based on these analyses, this study has identified the key factors influencing village distribution.

This study employed historical documentary analysis to quantify the village formation chronologies, the nearest neighbor index (NNI) to classify the spatial distribution types, kernel density estimation (KDE) to identify high-density clusters, and standard deviation ellipse analysis (SDEA) to delineate directional agglomeration; these synergistic methods systematically elucidated the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and evolutionary patterns of the traditional villages (Figure 2).

2.3.1. Historical Document Analysis

Through an in-depth analysis of Suzhou’s local records and related documents, this study systematically identified the formation years and major historical events of the traditional villages. This process enabled the accurate identification of key historical moments and facilitated the exploration of the temporal distribution characteristics of these villages and their influencing factors.

2.3.2. Standard Deviation Ellipse Analysis (SDEA)

Standard deviation ellipse Analysis (SDEA) is a geospatial statistical method used to assess the spatial distribution characteristics of geographic elements, including directionality, central tendency, and the extended directional deviation of distribution [30]. In this study, ArcGIS 10.6 software was used to draw the standard deviation ellipses of traditional village distributions across different dynasties, enabling analysis of their spatial center of gravity and directionality.

2.3.3. Nearest Neighbor Index Analysis

The nearest neighbor index (NNI) is a geographic metric that measures the proximity of point-like features in space [31]. The index value, R, reflects the spatial distribution characteristics of these features. When R > 1, the features trend toward uniform distribution; when R = 1, the distribution is random; and when R < 1, they exhibit clustering. Considering the traditional villages as point-like features at a macro scale, their nearest neighbor index was calculated using ArcGIS 10.6 software to determine their spatial distribution type.

2.3.4. Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) Analysis

This study employed kernel density estimation (KDE), a non-parametric method, using ArcGIS 10.6 software to analyze the spatial distribution of the traditional villages in Suzhou. KDE allows for the assessment of spatial agglomeration characteristics, revealing the clustering and distribution patterns of these villages.

3. Results

3.1. Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Evolutionary Characteristics of Traditional Villages in Southern Jiangsu Province

3.1.1. Formation-Time Distribution Characteristics of the Traditional Villages

This study synthesized archaeological excavations and historical documents to compile a timetable for the formation of the traditional villages in Suzhou and to quantify the number of villages established during various dynasties (Figure 3). The findings reveal the following: (a) the formation of traditional villages in Suzhou spans a wide temporal range, dating back to the Majiabang and Liangzhu cultures, and (b) the Song Dynasty represented the peak of the village development, after which the cumulative number of traditional villages continued to increase, but (c) the growth rate of new village numbers declined after the Song Dynasty. This slowdown indicates fewer newly established villages during the Yuan Dynasty, followed by a resurgence in the Ming Dynasty, which marks the second major peak in village formation.

In the sample analyzed, six villages contain remnants of Majiabang or Liangzhu culture, marking them as the earliest formed villages. At the conclusion of the Spring and Autumn Period, King Zhu Fan of Wu established Suzhou as his capital, and the subsequent governance by King Helu of Wu and Lord Chun Shen of Chu laid the foundation for the city’s development. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, Suzhou was part of Kuaiji County. However, during the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, the city experienced a population decline due to frequent warfare. Following the “Yongjia Rebellion” at the end of the Western Jin Dynasty, Suzhou’s population rebounded through the migration of ethnic minorities from the South and individuals from the central plains of the North [26].

The Tang Dynasty was marked by social stability, improved livelihoods, and advancements in agricultural production, while the Grand Canal, constructed during the Sui Dynasty, facilitated north–south transportation, contributing to Suzhou’s commercial prosperity and population growth.

The Song Dynasty was pivotal for Jiangsu’s population boom, as the region’s agricultural and handicraft prosperity shifted the nation’s developmental center southward. The Anshi Rebellion during the Tang Dynasty and subsequent turmoil from late feudal clans and towns led to significant depopulation in the North, while the southern region experienced an influx of labor. Concurrently, the Song government invested in southern water conservancy, greatly enhancing local agricultural production [32]. The opening of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal established Suzhou as a crucial north–south transportation hub, further promoting the flourishing of handicrafts and commerce, thus positioning Suzhou as a major center for domestic trade during the Song Dynasty [33]. The economic success of agriculture and handicrafts spurred the establishment and growth of villages. During the Ming Dynasty, Suzhou’s population density increased, prompting Zhu Yuanzhang to implement the “Hongwu Catching Scattering” strategy, which resulted in a northward migration of some residents, thereby increasing the population and labor force in Suzhou.

3.1.2. Spatial Distribution Pattern of Traditional Villages

To thoroughly analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of the traditional villages, this study employed ArcGIS 10.6 software to calculate the nearest neighbor index for the traditional villages in Suzhou City. The resulting index value was 0.839289, indicating a cohesive distribution pattern, as it is less than 1. The corresponding z-score was −2.516603, with a p-value of 0.011849, further confirming this distribution pattern.

Additionally, kernel density analysis was conducted on the sample villages to elucidate their spatial agglomeration trends. The results (Figure 4) indicate that the traditional villages in Suzhou are primarily concentrated in the southern region, while fewer villages are found in the central area, potentially due to urbanization. A notable clustering phenomenon can be observed along the Taihu Lake basin, particularly in the southwest. In the southeastern region, the agglomeration is predominantly concentrated in Kunshan City, characterized by a dense network of lakes and the presence of Majiabang and Liangzhu culture sites.

From a county distribution perspective (Figure 5), Wuzhong District, located in the southwest, has the highest number of traditional villages, accounting for 37%. Kunshan City follows closely, with 25%, while Huqiu District and Xiangcheng District in the central and western parts of the city exhibit relatively low percentages of traditional villages.

3.1.3. Characterization of Spatiotemporal Evolution of Traditional Villages

Utilizing GIS technology, this study analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the traditional villages in Suzhou and their influencing factors. The findings indicate that the Song and Ming Dynasties were pivotal periods for changes in village numbers. This study employed standard deviation ellipse and kernel density analyses on village data from three key periods (Figure 6).

The results reveal that prior to the Song Dynasty, villages were concentrated along the southwest coast of the Taihu Lake basin and the southeast coast of the Dianshan Lake basin, with a preference for distribution near Taihu Lake, displaying no obvious directionality. From the Song Dynasty onward, the villages in the Xishan area exhibited significant agglomeration, with the distribution’s center of gravity shifting southwestward, forming an elliptical pattern oriented southwest–northeast and highlighting the characteristics of being surrounded by water. By the Ming Dynasty, the center of gravity of the village distribution migrated northeastward, gradually moving away from the Taihu Lake basin.

Before the Song Dynasty, economic conditions and technological limitations restricted village construction on water-surrounded islands. Consequently, plains near water sources became the preferred choices for early village development due to convenient transportation and abundant resources. During the Song Dynasty, economic prosperity and technological advancements further promoted village development, particularly in the Xishan region. In the Ming Dynasty, continued improvements in productivity and technology facilitated village development in the far northeast of Taihu Lake.

3.2. The Influence of the Natural Environment on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Traditional Villages in Southern Jiangsu Province

3.2.1. Water System

As the foundation of production and life, water sources play a crucial role in the formation and development of traditional villages. This study extracted water system information for Suzhou from maps and analyzed its spatial overlap with the distribution of the traditional villages (Figure 7) to elucidate the influence of the water system on the village layout.

The analysis shows that the traditional villages in Suzhou are generally situated adjacently to lakes or rivers. In contrast to the northern region, the southern part of Suzhou has a denser water network and a larger area of lakes, resulting in a more concentrated distribution of traditional villages. This tendency is particularly pronounced in the southwestern part of the Taihu Lake basin and the southeastern part of the Dianshan Lake basin.

3.2.2. Topographic Features

Topographic conditions, such as variations in elevation, are closely related to environmental elements like light, precipitation, and temperature, which collectively shape local production and lifestyles. In this study, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data for Suzhou City were utilized to analyze and generate elevation maps (Figure 8) through ArcGIS 10.6 software, which were subsequently overlaid with the locations of traditional villages for a comprehensive assessment.

The analysis reveals that the topography of Suzhou City is predominantly flat, with hills primarily located in the southwestern Taihu Lake basin. The eastern and western hill areas benefit from the irrigation water source of Taihu Lake, facilitating domestic water use and agricultural production, leading to a dense distribution of traditional villages exhibiting significant agglomeration. In contrast, the hills in the northeastern part of Taihu Lake are farther from water sources, resulting in a more dispersed distribution of traditional villages.

Overall, the topography of Suzhou City features gentle undulations and is primarily characterized by plains. Consequently, the topography itself has a limited influence on the distribution of the villages, primarily affecting the spatial distribution pattern through its interaction with the regional water system.

3.3. The Influence of the Socio-Economic Environment on the Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Traditional Villages in Southern Jiangsu Province

The formation and development of villages depend not only on natural conditions but also on cultural and historical continuity, which are closely linked to social and economic environments. Natural conditions, social environments, and economic levels are interdependent and interact to shape the survival and development of villages [34]. This study selected population density, the GDP per capita, the proportion of primary industry, road network density, and the urbanization rate as key indicators to assess the impact of socio-environmental factors on the spatial distribution of villages (

Table 1. Social and economic data indicators for various regions of Suzhou City.

District Name	Number of Traditional Villages	Population Density (Persons/km2)	GDP per Capita (Million CNY)	Proportion of Primary Industry (%)	Road Density (km/km2)	Urbanization Rate (%)
Wuzhong	25	630.82	11.30	1.11	1.38	77.43
Kunshan	15	2281.46	23.56	0.62	5.19	79.39
Wujiang	11	1266.00	14.89	1.63	2.69	75.82
Changshu	5	1326.00	16.39	1.49	3.38	74.04
Zhangjiagang	4	1467.07	22.81	0.93	3.75	74.38
Taicang	3	1041.57	19.60	1.46	2.91	71.03
Xiangcheng	3	1842.40	12.24	0.75	4.47	94.27
Huqiu	1	2539.04	20.93	0.07	4.29	91.97
Gusu	0	11153.20	9.81	0.00	12.21	100
Industrial park	0	4138.72	30.56	0.02	9.82	100

).

It should be noted that although no traditional villages currently exist in Gusu District and Industrial Park, these highly urbanized areas were included in the statistical analysis for comparison with other regions, thereby revealing the influence trend of urban development on the disappearance of traditional villages.

3.3.1. Population Size

Population size is a critical factor in the establishment of village settlements and plays a crucial role in their sustainable development [35]. Historical events, including the “Yongjia Rebellion,” the “Anshi Rebellion,” the southward migration during the Song Dynasty, and the “Hongwu Dispersal” during the Ming Dynasty, have profoundly impacted Suzhou’s population, consequently shaping the emergence and evolution of traditional villages.

The urbanization rate serves as an important indicator of the rural population proportion, with areas of low urbanization rates typically having a higher proportion of the rural population. According to Table 1, the regions with greater numbers of traditional villages generally exhibit lower urbanization rates, suggesting that traditional villages are more likely to be found in less-urbanized areas.

3.3.2. Transportation Conditions

Road network density is a significant indicator of the maturity of regional road transportation systems. Generally, higher road network density implies ease of transportation, which can attract population concentration and promote regional development. However, it may also accelerate land conversion and reduce the spatial integrity of traditional villages. In contrast, lower road density can limit access for large-scale development, preserving traditional spatial forms and cultural landscapes. This pattern is particularly evident in Wuzhong District, which has retained the highest number of traditional villages alongside low transportation penetration.

3.3.3. Economic Development Level

This study utilized GDP per capita and the proportion of primary industry output as primary economic indicators to explore their influence on the spatial distribution of traditional villages (Table 1).

The level of economic development significantly impacts the survival and development of villages. Historical data indicate that village construction and development accelerated notably during periods of economic prosperity, driven by improvements in living standards and population growth. For instance, during the Song Dynasty, the prosperity of Suzhou stimulated considerable growth in the surrounding traditional villages. However, as the economic focus shifted from agriculture to urbanization, a surprising number of traditional villages persisted in regions with lower GDPs.

Notably, despite lower economic development, traditional villages have been preserved and developed in certain regions. For example, Kunshan City has successfully achieved coordinated development of economic growth and traditional village preservation despite its relatively low economic level compared to the rest of Suzhou City. This suggests that economic prosperity is not the sole determinant of traditional village decline. Moreover, under specific conditions, economic development and traditional village preservation can be mutually reinforcing. Further analysis indicates a positive correlation between the proportion of primary industry output value and traditional villages, underscoring the significance of the agricultural economy in the survival and development of these communities. Consequently, protection and development planning for traditional villages should consider the development and sustainability of the agricultural industry to ensure the long-term viability of these communities.

This comprehensive analysis aims to reveal the key economic factors influencing the distribution of traditional villages, providing a theoretical basis for the protection and development planning of traditional villages in Suzhou City. Ultimately, this research lays a data foundation for the digital protection and inheritance of traditional villages [12].

4. Discussion

4.1. Implications for Policymaking and Rural Revitalization

The spatial pattern of “peripheral agglomeration and central decline” observed in the traditional villages in Suzhou reflects the dual impacts of socio-economic development and spatial exclusion. Urban centers, under rapid industrialization and land transformation, often experience rural homogenization and the erosion of cultural landscapes, whereas peripheral areas, especially those adjacent to ecological corridors like Taihu Lake, retain higher landscape integrity and traditional elements. This supports the finding of a negative correlation between urbanization intensity and traditional village density [10].

Based on the findings of this study, several recommendations are proposed to enhance the conservation and development of the traditional villages in Suzhou:

(1)

Water system protection: Strengthen efforts to protect water systems to maintain the integrity of both the ecological environment and village patterns.

(2)

Infrastructure and policy incentives: Upgrade village infrastructure and implement policy measures that encourage residents to return, thereby steadily increasing the population and enhancing village vitality.

(3)

Balance between transportation facilities and conservation: Improve road transportation infrastructure to enhance village accessibility while striving to balance conservation and development.

(4)

Industrial diversification: Encourage industrial diversification, particularly in the primary and tertiary sectors, to elevate the economic statuses of villages and foster coordinated growth in line with socio-economic development.

4.2. Limitations of This Study

This study utilized national and provincial lists of traditional villages and historical and cultural villages for sample screening. However, the existing screening criteria require improvement. Future research should adopt more rigorous and systematic evaluation criteria to enhance those studies’ scientific validity and accuracy. Furthermore, this study has not thoroughly examined the daily life, social structures, customs, and habits of local residents. Subsequent research should delve into the future development trajectories of traditional villages and offer practical recommendations for development planning.

5. Conclusions

This study integrates analysis of historical documents with GIS spatial analysis techniques, employing a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and evolutionary patterns of traditional villages in Southern Jiangsu Province from the Song Dynasty to the modern era. These findings not only identify the key factors influencing village distribution but also provide a solid theoretical foundation for the protection and development planning of traditional villages in Southern Jiangsu, as well as a robust data framework for the digital preservation and inheritance of these settlements.

The main conclusions are summarized as follows:

(1)

Characteristics of spatial distribution: The traditional villages in Southern Jiangsu exhibit a cohesive spatial distribution, with higher village densities in the southern and marginal areas and fewer villages in the northern and central regions. A significant tendency toward village clustering can notably be observed in the southwestern part of the Taihu Lake basin and the southeastern part of the Dianshan Lake basin, reflecting the traditional settlement pattern of residing in proximity to water sources.

(2)

Socio-economic development level: Analysis at the district and county levels revealed that the traditional villages are predominantly concentrated in areas with lower socio-economic development, which is inversely related to the number of the traditional villages. This highlights the complex relationship between economic development and the preservation of traditional villages.

(3)

Historical distribution: The temporal analysis indicates that the formation of traditional villages in Southern Jiangsu spanned several dynasties, with the Song Dynasty serving as the peak period for village establishment, significantly influencing the current spatial distribution of these settlements.

(4)

Influencing factors: Natural conditions, social environments, and economic statuses are the primary factors influencing the spatial and temporal distribution of the traditional villages in Southern Jiangsu.