Geographical Distribution and Influencing Factors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

Xiangqiang Li, Mengqi Yang, Liangfu Long, Muxing Liu (), Haimeng Liu and Jingyi Liu
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Xiangqiang Li: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
Mengqi Yang: Key Laboratory of Guangdong for Utilization of Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System, Guangdong Open Laboratory of Geospatial Information Technology and Application, Guangzhou Institute of Geography, Guangzhou 510070, China
Liangfu Long: Department of Tourist Management, Zhongshan Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Zhongshan 528400, China
Muxing Liu: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
Haimeng Liu: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
Jingyi Liu: College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-22

Abstract: Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) represents the outstanding crystallization of human civilization and it has received extensive attention from scholars in various countries. Studying the spatial distribution and influencing factors of ICH in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area can help to improve the protection and utilization of ICH. Using quantitative statistical analysis methods, GIS spatial analysis methods, and Geodetector, we analyzed the level structure (provincial and national levels), category structure (ten categories), and spatial distribution of 509 national and provincial ICH items in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area and then explored their influencing factors. We concluded that: (1) The structural characteristics of ICH vary significantly, and the level structure is dominated by provincial ICH items; the category structure is complete and mainly includes traditional skill and traditional music. (2) The spatial distribution of ICH in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area is dense in the west and sparse in the east, with a pattern of “one main core, three major cores, and two minor cores”. There are large differences in the degree of concentration of ICH at the county level; different categories of ICH have different distribution densities and concentration areas. Yuzhong District, Shizhu County, and Wanzhou District are dense areas of distribution for different categories of ICH. (3) The influences of different factors on the spatial distribution of ICH in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area vary greatly. Socioeconomic and historical–cultural factors are more influential than natural geographic factors, among which economic development, culture, and ethnicity are the most influential, but the interaction between the two dimensions of natural geography and socioeconomic and historical culture has a more significant influence on the spatial distribution of ICH than single-dimensional factors. (4) Proposals for optimizing the spatial layout, protection, and development of ICH in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area are provided from the perspectives of culture and tourism integration and sustainable development.

Keywords: intangible cultural heritage; spatial distribution; influencing factors; Geodetector; Three Gorges Reservoir Area (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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