Cultural Heritages Lead to Less Dense and Greener Cities—Evidence from 371 Chinese Cities

Zhiyuan Zhang, Ruozhen Cheng, Yangpeng Dan and Luyao Wang ()
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Zhiyuan Zhang: School of Art and Design, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan 430205, China
Ruozhen Cheng: Changjiang Survey, Planning, Design and Research Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430010, China
Yangpeng Dan: College of Information and Communication, National University of Defense Technology, Wuhan 430010, China
Luyao Wang: College of Information and Communication, National University of Defense Technology, Wuhan 430010, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-23

Abstract: Cultural heritage sites play a significant role in shaping urban development, yet their impact on key urban outcomes remains underexplored. This study investigates how the number and proximity of heritage sites influence development through an analysis across 371 Chinese cities. Using a range of urban metrics, including population density, building height, urban form complexity, and green space accessibility, we find that cities with more heritage sites tend to exhibit lower population density (−0.168) and building height (−0.0314), respectively. These cities also show more complex urban forms and irregular city layouts, potentially caused by heritage preservations. We also analyze the impact of heritage sites on green accessibility, revealing that cities with more heritage sites have a higher green area per capita and better access to green spaces. Furthermore, our analysis of urban growth from 2000 to 2020 highlights the positive relationship between heritage sites and population growth (0.223), as well as the potential trade-offs between heritage preservation and GDPPC growth (−0.865). Our findings underscore the positive impacts of cultural heritage on urban development as well as address its potential trade-offs, highlighting the need for urban planning strategies that balance heritage preservation with sustainable growth and equitable access to green spaces.

Keywords: cultural heritage; urban development; green accessibility; heritage proximity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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