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The Characteristics of Spatial Genetic Diversity in Traditional Township Neighborhoods in the Xiangjiang River Basin: A Case Study of the Changsha Suburbs

Author

Listed:
  • Peishan Cai

    (Institute of Environmental Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Architecture, Beijing 100032, China)

  • Yan Gao

    (Institute of Environmental Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Architecture, Beijing 100032, China)

  • Mingjing Xie

    (Institute of Architecture and Art, Central South University, Changsha 410018, China)

Abstract

An important historical and cultural region in southern China, the Xiangjiang River Basin, has formed a unique spatial pattern and regional cultural characteristics in its long-term development. In recent years, the acceleration of urbanization has led to the historical texture and cultural elements of Changsha’s suburban blocks facing deconstruction pressure. How to identify and protect their cultural value at the spatial structure level has become an urgent issue. Taking three typical traditional township blocks in the suburbs of Changsha as the research object, this paper constructs a trinity research framework of “spatial gene identification–diversity analysis–strategy optimization.” It systematically discusses the makeup of the types, quantity, distribution, relative importance ranking, and diversity characteristics of their spatial genes. The results show that (1) the distribution and quantity of spatial genes are affected by multiple driving forces such as historical function, geographic environment, and settlement evolution mechanisms, and that architectural spatial genes have significant advantages in type richness and importance indicators; (2) spatial gene diversity shows the structural characteristics of “enriched artificial space and sparse natural space,” and different blocks show clear differences in node space and boundary space; (3) spatial genetic diversity not only reflects the complexity of the spatial evolution of a block but is also directly related to its cultural inheritance and the feasibility of renewal strategies. Based on this, this paper proposes strategies such as building a spatial gene database, improving the diversity evaluation system, and implementing differentiated protection mechanisms. These strategies provide theoretical support and methods for the protection and sustainable development of cultural heritage in traditional blocks.

Suggested Citation

  • Peishan Cai & Yan Gao & Mingjing Xie, 2025. "The Characteristics of Spatial Genetic Diversity in Traditional Township Neighborhoods in the Xiangjiang River Basin: A Case Study of the Changsha Suburbs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-27, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6129-:d:1694477
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Huiwen Xiang & Yu Qin & Mingjing Xie & Bo Zhou, 2022. "Study on the “Space Gene” Diversity of Traditional Dong Villages in the Southwest Hunan Province of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Huaiyun Kou & Jian Zhou & Jie Chen & Sichu Zhang, 2018. "Conservation for Sustainable Development: The Sustainability Evaluation of the Xijie Historic District, Dujiangyan City, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-25, December.
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    4. Jingyu Liu & Qiong Song & Xiaomin Wang, 2023. "Spatial Morphology Evolution of Rural Settlements in the Lower Yellow River Plain: The Case of Menggang Town in Changyuan City, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-19, May.
    5. Andreas Braun & Gebhard Warth & Felix Bachofer & Michael Schultz & Volker Hochschild, 2023. "Mapping Urban Structure Types Based on Remote Sensing Data—A Universal and Adaptable Framework for Spatial Analyses of Cities," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-41, October.
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    8. Bin Wen & Jon Bryan Burley, 2020. "Expert Opinion Dimensions of Rural Landscape Quality in Xiangxi, Hunan, China: Principal Component Analysis and Factor Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-18, February.
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