Sustainability Assessment and Spatial Optimization of Minority Characteristic Villages Based on the Minimum Cumulative Resistance Model: A Case Study of Qiandongnan, China

Min Wang, An Huang, Qianxi Zhang () and Zhe Cheng ()
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Min Wang: School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
An Huang: School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
Qianxi Zhang: School of Design, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315100, China
Zhe Cheng: School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: The sustainable development of minority characteristic villages (MCVs) is crucial to regional diversity, equality, and inclusion. However, it also faces multi-dimensional challenges, especially spatial imbalance. Taking Qiandongnan, China as a typical case, this study employed multiple methods to assess the sustainability of MCVs. First, this study constructed a comprehensive resistance surface integrating social, economic, and environmental dimensions based on the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model and conducted a systematic assessment of the sustainability of MCVs in Qiandongnan. Second, this study evaluated the spatial distribution characteristics of MCV’s sustainability based on the kernel density analysis and the gravity model. Finally, this study proposed a targeted spatial optimization pathway. The results reveal there are significant spatial differences in MCVs; villages in the central, southern, and central-western Qiandongnan exhibit stronger sustainability, whereas the southwest and eastern regions are weak. Seven core villages and one key node were identified. Five sustainable development corridors were established to enhance spatial connectivity. This study provides novel insights for optimizing the spatial governance of MCVs for achieving regional sustainable development and enriches the knowledge body of global rural revitalization.

Keywords: minority characteristic villages; sustainable development; minimum cumulative resistance model; spatial governance; case study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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