Quantitative Analysis Village Spatial Morphology Using “SPSS + GIS” Approach: A Case Study of Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture

Yuyuan An (), Xiao Wu (), Rui Liu, Lu Liu and Pengquan Liu
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Yuyuan An: College of Design and Arts, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Xiao Wu: College of Design and Arts, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Rui Liu: College of Information Science and Engineering, Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang 110159, China
Lu Liu: College of Design and Arts, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Pengquan Liu: College of Design and Arts, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-30

Abstract: This research comprehensively analyzes the spatial morphology of 177 traditional villages within Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. The study delineates these characteristics utilizing a combination of five quantitative measured indices—ratio, boundary, saturation, building density, and dispersion coefficients. Leveraging sophisticated analytical techniques facilitated by “SPSS + GIS” integration, the investigation systematically explores the intricate details of village spatial form. Their overarching distribution patterns, and the determinant factors influencing them, provide insights across both granular and broad-scale dimensions. The aim is to establish a robust quantitative data analysis framework, facilitating a precise description of traditional villages’ spatial dynamics. The findings categorize the spatial morphology of Linxia’s traditional villages into three distinct types: linear multi-point concentration, dense clustering, and irregular dispersion. Common traits among these categories include widespread dispersal, small settlements, and a mix of dwellings. Spatial distribution patterns vary, with dense clusters forming an “olive-shaped” trend in the southeast–northwest direction, while irregularly dispersed villages develop along mountains and valleys, exhibiting multi-core structures. Additionally, linear multi-point concentrated villages display a random, multi-point distribution interspersed with dense clusters. The survival strategies of these commercial, subsistence, and resource-based villages are shaped by a confluence of factors such as elevation, river proximity, ancient road networks, and the interplay between Han Chinese and Tibetan cultural influences. The implications of this study are significant for understanding traditional village dynamics, promoting sustainable development, and refining quantitative methods for rural studies.

Keywords: Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture; traditional villages; SPSS; GIS; spatial morphology; village spatial distribution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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