How Do Geographical Factors Affect the Distribution of Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of Xinjiang, China

Caicai Liu and Lei Kang ()
Additional contact information
Caicai Liu: Key Laboratory of Desert and Desertification, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
Lei Kang: School of Geography Sciences, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-16

Abstract: Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is the essence of excellent traditional culture and the treasure of human civilization. At present, major countries pay more and more attention to the study of ICH. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the spatial distribution characteristics of ICH and to understand the factors affecting the development of ICH. Systematically studying the spatial distribution patterns, influencing factors, differentiation characteristics, and formation mechanisms of ICH is essential for effectively promoting its protection and development, guiding the planning of cultural tourism, and implementing cultural power strategies. There are clear differences between municipal and county-level ICH in Xinjiang. The overall distribution trend shows a spatial aggregation structure with more ICH in the north and fewer in the south. ICH resources are concentrated mainly in Kashgar, Yili, Tacheng, Bazhou, and Urumqi, where the Urumqi-Turpan-Korla region is the high-density core area for all types of ICH. Meanwhile, the Yining and Kashgar areas have a large number of non-relics. Ethnic distributions, cultural environments, policy supports, and other social and cultural factors have greater impacts on the spatial distribution of ICH in Xinjiang, while natural geographical environment factors such as runoff water systems and average precipitation have less influence. Interaction studies revealed that the synergistic effects of natural, economic, and social and cultural factors had a more profound influence on the spatial distribution of ICH. Lastly, to promote sustainable development, suggestions were made to optimize the spatial layout, protection, and development of Xinjiang ICH.

Keywords: intangible cultural heritage; spatial distribution; influencing factors; geo-detector; Xinjiang (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 (2)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8943/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/11/8943/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8943-:d:1161938

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().