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Geographical Distribution Characteristics of Ethnic-Minority Villages in Fujian and Their Relationship with Topographic Factors

Author

Listed:
  • Xiang Xu

    (School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Paolo Vincenzo Genovese

    (College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Yafei Zhao

    (Building Information Technology Innovation Laboratory (BITI Lab), Solearth Architecture Research Center, Hong Kong 999077, China)

  • Yidan Liu

    (School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Eyasu Markos Woldesemayat

    (School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Abraham Nathan Zoure

    (School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

The geographical distribution characteristics of villages characterised by ethnic minorities are determined by the selection of the site when the village was initially established. The location of inherited and well-preserved minority villages must be exceptionally compatible with the natural terrain, with a logical relationship. Nonetheless, the issue of village location, which is directly related to the development of the features of the geographical distribution, has received little attention from scholars. The average nearest proximity index, Voronoi, kernel density analysis, proximity analysis, and the Geographical Detector (GeoDetector) were used to analyse the geographic distribution characteristics of villages and their correlation with terrain, as well as the difference between the influence of each terrain factor. The findings indicated the following. (1) The geographical distribution of minority villages in Fujian Province is of the agglomeration type, with a significant “mononuclear” feature, and the topography has a facilitating effect on the clustering distribution of villages. (2) The geographical distribution of minority villages in each city of Fujian Province coexisted with the agglomeration type and the dispersion type, and the role of topography in promoting the agglomeration-type distribution of villages was not affected by the distribution density of villages. (3) The site selection of Fujian-minority villages is characterised by medium altitude, moderate slope, sun exposure, and no obvious hydrophilicity. Minority villages are mainly located in areas with an elevation of 202–647 m; a slope of 6–15°; a flat land aspect with a south slope, southeast slope, or southwest slope; and distance of 500–1500 m from 5–20 m wide rivers of level 2. (4) The site selection of Fujian minority villages is influenced by various topographic factors, such as elevation, slope, aspect, river buffer, river width, and river level, among which river width has the most substantial effect. (5) All topographic factors have a two-factor enhancing relationship with each other, aspect and slope have the most substantial effect and play a dominant role in site selection. The research findings illuminate the internal logic of the geographical distribution differentiation of villages characterised by ethnic minorities, which is critical for promoting the protection of modern ethnic-minority villages.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiang Xu & Paolo Vincenzo Genovese & Yafei Zhao & Yidan Liu & Eyasu Markos Woldesemayat & Abraham Nathan Zoure, 2022. "Geographical Distribution Characteristics of Ethnic-Minority Villages in Fujian and Their Relationship with Topographic Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:13:p:7727-:d:846957
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. GUSTAFSSON, Bjorn & SAI, Ding, 2009. "Villages where China's ethnic minorities live," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 20(2), pages 193-207, June.
    2. Pengfei Guo & Fangfang Zhang & Haiying Wang & Fen Qin, 2020. "Suitability Evaluation and Layout Optimization of the Spatial Distribution of Rural Residential Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, March.
    3. Xuemei Li & Weiye Li & Kendra S. Smith & Albert C. Smith, 2019. "Hidden from the wind and enjoying the water (藏风得水): the traditional cosmology of fengshui and the shaping of Dong villages in Southwestern China," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(5), pages 614-627, July.
    4. Guo, Zhanfeng & Sun, Li, 2016. "The planning, development and management of tourism: The case of Dangjia, an ancient village in China," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 52-62.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Xi Luo & Jian Zhang, 2025. "Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Zhen Yang & Yang Hong & Qingbiao Guo & Xuexiang Yu & Mingsong Zhao, 2022. "The Impact of Topographic Relief on Population and Economy in the Southern Anhui Mountainous Area, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Xianping Zhang & Lu Yu & Xiang Xu, 2023. "Study on the Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Poverty Inducements of Poverty-Stricken Villages in Henan Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-16, April.
    5. Haoran Su & Chang Liu & Donghui Dai & Wenkai Chen & Zhen Zhang & Yaowu Wang, 2023. "Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of the National Comprehensive Disaster-Reduction Demonstration Community in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-30, August.
    6. Min Wang & An Huang & Qianxi Zhang & Zhe Cheng, 2025. "Sustainability Assessment and Spatial Optimization of Minority Characteristic Villages Based on the Minimum Cumulative Resistance Model: A Case Study of Qiandongnan, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, May.
    7. Haoran Su & Yaowu Wang & Zhen Zhang & Wen Dong, 2022. "Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Village Distribution in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-26, September.
    8. Bingqian Li & Jun Wang & Yibing Jin, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Traditional Villages and Influence Factors Thereof in Hilly and Gully Areas of Northern Shaanxi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-29, November.
    9. Chuanchuan Yuan & Mu Jiang, 2023. "Migration and Land Exploitation from Yuan to Qing Dynasties: Insights from 252 Traditional Villages in Hunan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    10. Xiang Xu & Paolo Vincenzo Genovese, 2022. "Assessment on the Spatial Distribution Suitability of Ethnic Minority Villages in Fujian Province Based on GeoDetector and AHP Method," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-36, September.

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