Search Results (101)

As the texture skeleton of the traditional village, the street space is the main area for tourists to visit in traditional villages; it is regarded as the spatial conversion place of human flow and the space frequently visited by tourists. Accumulating evidence shows that the visual quality of street spaces has an effect on pedestrians’ walking behaviors in urban areas, but this effect in traditional villages needs to be further explored. This paper takes Huangcun Village, Yixian County, Huangshan City, as the research area to explore the influence of the objective visual factors of street spaces on tourists’ subjective stay willingness. First, an evaluation system of the visual quality of street spaces was developed. With the assistance of computer vision and deep learning technologies, semantic segmentation of Huangcun Village street view images was performed to obtain a visual quality index and then calculate the descriptive index of Huangcun Village’s street space. Then, combining the data of tourists’ stay willingness with the visual quality of the street space, the overall evaluation results and space distribution of tourists’ stay willingness in Huangcun Village were predicted using the Trueskill algorithm and machine learning prediction model. Finally, the influence of the objective visual quality of the street space on tourist subjective stay willingness was analyzed by correlation analysis. This research could provide some useful information for street space design and tourism planning in traditional villages. Full article

Although numerous studies have examined the spatial patterns of traditional villages and their driving factors, limited attention has been devoted to the transformation of tourism. This study focused on traditional villages in Shaanxi Province, employing geodetector and grounded theory methods to analyze their spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors. First, most traditional villages have not developed tourism. Only 11.98% reached the relatively mature tourism stage. Second, the spatial distribution of mature traditional tourism villages is scattered and primarily clustered in Liuba County, Mizhi County, and Jia County. Third, the factors influencing spatial distribution characteristics include resource endowment, transportation accessibility, and regional economic conditions. Among these factors, the level of traditional villages, village heritage values, and the local tourism environment show the strongest explanatory power. These findings can help enhance cultural resilience, promote economic transformation and upgrading, and support the sustainable development of traditional villages. Full article

The development of the Great Wall National Cultural Park has unleashed the potential for integrating cultural and tourism development along the Great Wall. However, ICH along the Great Wall, a key part of its cultural identity, suffers from low recognition and a mismatch between protection and development efforts. This study analyzes provincial-level and above ICH along Hebei’s Great Wall using geospatial tools and the Geographical Detector model to explore distribution patterns and influencing factors, while Geographically Weighted Regression is utilized to reveal spatial heterogeneity. It tests two hypotheses: (H1) ICH shows a clustered pattern; (H2) economic factors have a greater impact than cultural and natural factors. Key findings show: (1) ICH distribution is numerically balanced north–south but spatially uneven, with dense clusters in the south and scattered patterns in the north. (2) ICH and crafts cluster significantly, while dramatic balladry spreads evenly, and other categories are random. (3) Average annual temperature and precipitation have the greatest impact on ICH distribution, with the factors ranked as: natural > cultural > economic. Multidimensional interactions show significant enhancement effects. (4) Influencing factors vary spatially. Population density, transport, temperature, and traditional villages are positively related to ICH. Elevation, precipitation, tourism, and cultural institutions show mixed effects across regions. These insights support targeted ICH conservation and sustainable development in the Great Wall cultural corridor. Full article

Nomadic heritage villages constitute significant material cultural heritage. Under China’s cultural revitalization and rural development strategies, these villages face spatial degradation driven by tourism and urbanization. Current research predominantly employs isolated analytical approaches—space syntax often overlooks social dynamics while social network analysis (SNA) overlooks physical interfaces—hindering the development of holistic solutions for socio-spatial resilience. This study proposes a multi-scale integrated assessment framework combining social network analysis (SNA) and space syntax to systematically evaluate public space structures in traditional nomadic villages of Xinjiang. The framework provides scientific evidence for optimizing public space design in these villages, facilitating harmonious coexistence between spatial functionality and cultural values. Focusing on three heritage villages—representing compact, linear, and dispersed morphologies—the research employs a hierarchical “village-street-node” analytical model to dissect spatial configurations and their socio-functional dynamics. Key findings include the following: Compact villages exhibit high central clustering but excessive concentration, necessitating strategies to enhance network resilience and peripheral connectivity. Linear villages demonstrate weak systemic linkages, requiring “segment-connection point supplementation” interventions to mitigate structural elongation. Dispersed villages maintain moderate network density but face challenges in visual integration and centrality, demanding targeted activation of key intersections to improve regional cohesion. By merging SNA’s social attributes with space syntax’s geometric precision, this framework bridges a methodological gap, offering comprehensive spatial optimization solutions. Practical recommendations include culturally embedded placemaking, adaptive reuse of transitional spaces, and thematic zoning to balance heritage conservation with tourism needs. Analyzing Xinjiang’s unique spatial–social interactions provides innovative insights for sustainable heritage village planning and replicable solutions for comparable global cases. Full article

China’s rapid urbanization has given rise to the phenomenon of “urban villages”, which are often regarded as chaotic fringe areas in traditional studies. With the rise of the concept of resilient cities, the value of urban villages as potential carriers of sustainable development has been re-examined. This study adopted research methods such as field investigations, in-depth interviews, and conceptual sampling. By analyzing the interlinked governance relationship between Xiamen City and the urban villages in the Bay Area, aspects such as rural housing improvement, environmental governance, residents’ feedback, geographical pattern, and spatial production were evaluated. A field investigation was conducted in six urban villages within the four bays of Xiamen. A total of 45 people in the urban villages were interviewed, and the spatial status of the urban villages was recorded. This research found that following: (1) Different types of urban villages have formed significantly differentiated role positionings under the framework of regional governance. Residential community types XA and WL provide long-term and stable living spaces for migrant workers in Xiamen; tourism development types DS, HX, BZ, and HT allow the undertaking of short-term stay tourists and provide tourism services. (2) These urban villages achieve the construction of their resilience through resisting risks, absorbing policy resources, catering to the expansion of urban needs, and co-construction in coordination with planning. The multi-cultural inclusiveness of urban villages and their transformation led by cultural shifts have become the driving force for their sustainable development. Through the above mechanisms, urban villages have become the source of resilience and sustainability of healthy cities and provide a model reference for high-density urban construction. Full article

As the global urbanization process accelerates, rural settlements in China are facing the challenges of rural hollowing and widening urban–rural disparities. The establishment of the national scenic area system has made scenic settlements a primary direction for tourism development. However, industrial transformation has led to significant restructuring of the human–land relationship and the spatial functions of these settlements, resulting in issues such as over-tourism, ecological degradation, and cultural loss. This paper focuses on the Mosuo settlements around Lugu Lake, selecting nine villages, including Gesha Village, Wuzhiluo Village, and Daluoshui Village, to explore the formation and expression of Mosuo spatial concepts. Through spatial measurement, area statistics, and the analysis of development paths, the core of the research is to propose that “there is consistency between conceptual order and spatial form,” revealing the multi-dimensional evolutionary mechanism of Mosuo settlement spatial morphology under the intertwining of traditional concepts, market logic, and institutional policies, providing a replicable Chinese reference for global cultural heritage rural areas. Full article

Rural tourism has emerged as an efficient strategy for rural revitalization while having various impacts on rural governance. Previous studies predominantly focused on the social implications of rural tourism and its impact on institutional arrangements while neglecting the influence of rural tourism on collective action in rural governance. This study employed a social–ecological system (SES) framework to investigate the influence of rural tourism on rural collective action, utilizing survey data from 22 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government), 178 villages, and 3282 rural households across China. The findings revealed that rural tourism exerted a positive influence on collective action, primarily through labor force reflow mechanisms. Specifically, the leadership of village cadres had a moderating role in enhancing this positive correlation. Further analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in tourism governance effects: non-plain regions and villages with medium to low economic development levels exhibited substantial improvements in collective action, whereas plain areas and economically advanced villages may manifest potentially negative impacts. Theoretically, this study contributes to elucidating tourism-driven self-governance mechanisms by applying the SES framework, thereby transcending the traditional dualistic debate between state-market and development-governance paradigms. Practically, we propose institutional designs that embed collective action mechanisms into the coupled synergistic development of rural tourism and community governance, thereby activating endogenous motivations for rural self-governance. Full article

Traditional villages possess considerable heritage values. Tourism provides an effective way to protect and revitalize the traditional village heritages. Current research has insufficient consideration of tourism potential when constructing the spatial utilization pattern of traditional villages. This study aims to build a spatial utilization pattern of traditional villages within the Yellow River Basin by assessing the tourism potential of each traditional village via the Combined Weight Method and identifying cultural heritage corridors through the application of the Minimum Cumulative Resistance model. The results indicate the following: (1) The traditional villages situated within the Yellow River Basin demonstrate an uneven spatial distribution, with a notable concentration in the middle and lower reaches. (2) The traditional villages located in the middle and lower reaches possess greater tourism potential compared to those found in the upstream, and they are primarily situated in Shanxi and Henan provinces. (3) In light of the cultural attributes, this study proposes a spatial utilization pattern characterized by “four core areas, seven cultural zones, and a three–tiered corridor system”. These findings promote the development of traditional villages while preserving their heritage values, strengthen the communication and integration of regional cultures, and offer practical guidance towards regional coordination and enduring development. Full article

The “hand-waving sacrifice” is a large-scale sacrificial ceremony with more than 2000 years of history. It was passed down from ancient times by the Tujia ethnic group living in the Wuling Corridor of China, and it integrates religion, sacrifice, dance, drama, and other cultural forms. It primarily consists of two parts: ritual content (inviting gods, offering sacrifices to gods, dancing a hand-waving dance, etc.) and the architectural space that hosts the ritual (hand-waving hall), which together constitute Tujia’s most sacred ritual space and the most representative art and culture symbol. Nonetheless, in existing studies, the hand-waving sacrifice ritual, hand-waving hall architectural space, and hand-waving dance art are often separated as independent research objects, and little attention is paid to the coupling mechanism of the mutual construction of space and ritual in the process of historical development. Moreover, with the acceleration of modernization, the current survival context of the hand-waving sacrifice has undergone drastic changes. On the one hand, the intangible cultural heritage protection policy and the wave of tourism development have pushed it into the public eye and the cultural consumption system. On the other hand, the changes in the social structure of traditional villages have led to the dissolution of the sacredness of ritual space. Therefore, using the interaction of “space-ritual” as a prompt, this research first uses GIS technology to visualize the spatial geographical distribution characteristics and diachronic evolution process of hand-waving halls in six historical periods and then specifically analyzes the sacred construction of hand-waving hall architecture for the hand-waving sacrifice ritual space throughout history, as well as the changing mechanism of the continuous secularization of the hand-waving sacrifice space in contemporary society. Overall, this study reveals a unique path for non-literate ethnic groups to achieve the intergenerational transmission of cultural memory through the collusion of material symbols and physical art practices, as well as the possibility of embedding the hand-waving sacrifice ritual into contemporary spatial practice through symbolic translation and functional extension in the context of social function inheritance and variation. Finally, this study has specific inspirational and reference value for exploring how the traditional culture and art of ethnic minorities can maintain resilience against the tide of modernization. Full article

The present study explores residents’ perceptions of Stintino (Sardinia, Italy) as a tourist destination. The municipality is predominantly known for La Pelosa beach, widely regarded as one of the most attractive coastal sites in Europe. However, its popularity has raised critical issues related to carrying capacity and seasonal overcrowding, contributing to a tourism model centered almost exclusively on beach-related activities. This study aims to investigate how locals conceptualize their place beyond the dominant seaside narrative, particularly considering Stintino’s identity as a former fishing village with a strong maritime tradition. As part of Italy’s designated inner areas, Stintino also embodies a deep-rooted connection to cultural heritage, further reinforcing the need for its preservation. Adopting a photovoice-based participatory visual methodology, this study engaged 15 local stakeholders from key sectors (hospitality, fishing tourism, retail, gastronomy, and cultural institutions) who produced and discussed photographic representations of their lived experience of the territory. The visual material was thematically analyzed using a conceptual framework informed by theories of place perception and social representations. The findings suggested a multifaceted territorial storytelling rooted in local heritage, symbolic spaces, and everyday practices. Tourism governance strategies could incorporate community-based approaches, such as participatory mapping and inclusive narrative development, to foster more sustainable and place-sensitive promotion models. Full article

In the context of rapid urbanization, traditional villages in the Weibei Loess Plateau gully region are facing compounded pressures from social structure disruption and physical space reconstruction. It is urgent to deeply analyze the influence mechanism of social relations on spatial adaptability. This study attempts to construct an analytical framework that couples social relationships with village spatial development. With Tangjia Village in the gully region of the Weibei Loess Plateau as an example, the study integrated various data sources such as satellite imagery, interviews, and policy documents. Through social network analysis and an improved cascade failure model, the spatial adaptation processes and characteristics based on changes in kinship, occupational ties, and geographical networks were explored. The findings indicate that (1) before 2001, kinship networks led to the formation of a monocentric settlement structure. From 2001 to 2011, occupational ties fostered the differentiation of industrial and residential zones. After 2011, geographical networks drove the multifunctional integration of space. (2) Clan-based settlement zones (consisting of 80 kinship nodes) and core cultural tourism facilities are key units in maintaining spatial adaptability. The research reveals the impact mechanism of social network fission on spatial function reorganization and proposes adaptive planning strategies, aiming to provide theoretical and practical value for the coordinated governance of society and space in traditional villages. Full article

Tourist walkability is essential for sustainable tourism in traditional villages, where walking is often the primary mode of exploration. However, few studies have examined walkability from tourists’ perspectives, especially in village settings. This study investigates how immediate built environment perceptions, shareability (defined as the capacity of a place to encourage social media sharing), and personal attributes affect tourist walkability in traditional villages. A questionnaire survey was conducted in two traditional villages in Yongzhou, Hunan, to explore these relationships. The results reveal that the perceived quantity of traditional architecture strongly influences tourist walkability, while among built environment features, artificial features exert a greater overall impact than natural ones. Moreover, shareability plays a significant role in enhancing walkability, whereas personal attributes, though influential, have a relatively smaller effect. As the majority of survey participants were aged 18–24, these findings are particularly relevant to understanding the tourism preferences of Generation Z, a cohort with growing influence in the tourism market. These insights provide valuable guidance for designers, tourism developers, and authorities aiming to enhance walkability, promote sustainable tourism, and revitalise culturally rich traditional villages. Full article

Rural tourism is growing as travelers seek authentic experiences with local traditions, culture, and heritage. This form of tourism plays a key role in the sustainable development of rural areas by effectively utilizing rural resources. To ensure its continued success, best practices must be adopted to enhance the visitor experience while ensuring long-term viability. Research on rural tourism in the villages of Sremski Karlovci, Irig, and Vrdnik in Fruška Gora (Serbia) and Pienza, Montalcino, and San Gimignano in Tuscany (Italy), involving 357 tourists, identified four key factors influencing their experiences: ‘Organic Heritage’, ‘Authentic Comfort’, ‘Authentic Flavors’, and ‘Warm Farmstead’. These factors show that the motivations driving tourists to rural destinations and village accommodations are universal. However, Tuscan villages attract more tourists due to their superior infrastructure, diversified offerings, and strong international promotion, attracting wealthier tourists who tend to stay longer and spend more. Stakeholder research (58 participants) confirmed that Fruška Gora must improve infrastructure, diversify experiences, and strengthen promotional efforts to enhance sustainability and competitiveness. These changes are essential for the long-term success of rural tourism businesses in the future. Full article

The rural landscape serves as a window to showcase regional culture and can drive the development of the rural cultural tourism industry. However, driven by the rural revitalization strategy, the construction of rural landscapes in the Yangtze River Delta region faces the challenges of homogeneity and lack of authenticity. A regional evaluation of the rural landscape and strategic suggestions are key to solving this problem. Therefore, this study selected three representative villages in the Yangtze River Delta region and established a regional evaluation model of the rural landscape in the Yangtze River Delta from the perspective of the ecological–production–living concept, utilizing the analytic hierarchy process, a tourist questionnaire survey, IPA, and Munsell color analysis. The results show that (1) the core indicator of the rural landscape regionality is the life landscape, followed by the production landscape, and finally, the ecological landscape; (2) the overall satisfaction of the rural landscape is high, and the satisfaction of the water network landscape is significantly higher than other indicators; (3) the results of IPA show that what needs to be maintained are traditional dwellings and historical relics, and what needs to be improved are sign design and rural public art design; (4) Munsell color analysis shows that the characteristics the of rural landscape in the Yangtze River Delta region are diverse and inclusive. This study is of great significance for maintaining the characteristics of the rural landscape in the Yangtze River Delta region and promoting the protection of rural landscape style under different regional conditions. Full article

Amid global rural tourism growth and rural revitalization policies, traditional villages’ resource protection and tourism development have drawn international academic attention. To guide villages’ resource planning and management, this study constructed an evaluation index system of cultural, ecological, industrial, talent, and organizational amenities in traditional villages from the perspective of tourists’ perceptions using grounded theory and measured the spatial agglomeration differences, synergistic effects and their influencing factors of traditional village amenities by using location entropy, spatial autocorrelation, and gray correlation degree analysis. The results show that (1) the spatial distributions of cultural, ecological, industrial, and organizational amenities are more balanced, while talent amenities exhibit a more concentrated distribution. (2) The spatial concentration of amenities in traditional villages has a strong positive spatial correlation, the agglomeration level of the high-high type of concentration is distributed in clusters, the low–low type tends to be contiguous, and the low–high type is distributed sporadically around the high–high type; significant synergy between ecological and industrial amenities, and organizations play a supportive role in the spatial agglomeration of cultural, ecological, ecological and talent amenities. (3) Gross regional product, slope, and distance to 3A and above scenic spots significantly influence the spatial agglomeration of amenities. This study provides reference for the sustainable development of traditional villages from the perspectives of exerting agglomeration and radiation effects, synergistically promoting villages’ development, constructing the memory symbol system, and integrating the resource structural system based on the spatial agglomeration difference characteristics of traditional village amenities. Full article