IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i4p1353-d1585657.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Study on the Spatial Morphology of Ando Tibetan Traditional Villages in China: A Case of Traditional Villages in Huangnan Prefecture

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaogang Feng

    (School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    Institute of Architectural and Survey, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Moqing Hu

    (School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Sekhar Somenahalli

    (UniSA-STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide 5095, Australia)

  • Wenbin Zhang

    (School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Kunyan Liu

    (School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Meng Li

    (School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    Institute of Architectural and Survey, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Zaihui Zhou

    (School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    Institute of Architectural and Survey, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Fengxia Li

    (School of Architecture, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    Institute of Architectural and Survey, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

Abstract

Traditional villages (TVs) are physical manifestations of traditional culture, and their spatial structure embodies the essence of regional culture. The spatial form of TVs in the Ando Tibetan area can be used to understand the historical evolution, turnover, and inheritance of traditional culture in the region. This study uses four typical TVs in the Huangnan Prefecture (HNP). Using the fractal theory, spatial syntax theory, GIS, and geomorphological statistical analysis, this study analyses the spatial morphology structure of TVs of the Huangnan Tibetans. Analyses are conducted from the perspectives of external morphology and internal structure. A quantitative system of spatial morphology of TVs is constructed. This study found that three out of the four sample villages in the HNP have high fractal values (>1.5046) and belong to the strongly structured agglomeration morphology regarding overall morphological characteristics. Furthermore, the public space patches exhibit a more complex spatial morphology and typical fractal characteristics. The morphological characteristics of the village boundaries in the four sample villages exhibit band-like, mass-like, and point-like characteristics. The types of belt and mass tend to point to Muhesha (MHS), JaJia (JJ), and Shuangpengxi (SPX), while Tufang (TF) does not exhibit a clear tendency. The over-spatial permeability of the village is poor, making it hard to perceive the overall space. The average depth, degree of integration, and village selection are concentrated in the central area and the primary and secondary roads. The geometrical center is the core of the village’s degree of integration. This study presents traditional Ando Tibetan villages’ complex and diverse spatial morphology, providing scientific references for their protection, development, and utilization.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaogang Feng & Moqing Hu & Sekhar Somenahalli & Wenbin Zhang & Kunyan Liu & Meng Li & Zaihui Zhou & Fengxia Li, 2025. "Study on the Spatial Morphology of Ando Tibetan Traditional Villages in China: A Case of Traditional Villages in Huangnan Prefecture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1353-:d:1585657
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1353/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1353/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yujie Jiang & Ni Li & Ziyue Wang, 2023. "Parametric Reconstruction of Traditional Village Morphology Based on the Space Gene Perspective—The Case Study of Xiaoxi Village in Western Hunan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-33, January.
    2. Yue Peng & Hui Qiu & Xinlu Wang, 2023. "The Influence of Spatial Functions on the Public Space System of Traditional Settlements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-26, May.
    3. Liu Jin & Zongqi Wang & Xiaohong Chen, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages on the Tibetan Plateau in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-19, October.
    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. Jiaojiao Bian & Wanxu Chen & Jie Zeng, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-18, April.
    6. Lie Wang & Chuanhao Sun & Mo Wang & Xiaomei Xiao, 2024. "Construction and Characterization of Traditional Village Landscape Cultural Genome Atlases: A Case Study in Xupu County, Hunan, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-13, November.
    7. Ningling Xie & Bin Cheng, 2023. "The Impact of Urban Expressways on the Street Space of Traditional Tibetan Villages in Kham, Taking Daofu County as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    8. Lei Gong & Jianzhu Yang & Chong Wu & Hui Zhou, 2023. "Fractal Characteristics of the Spatial Texture in Traditional Miao Villages in Qiandongnan, Guizhou, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, September.
    9. Ran Li & Liang Mao, 2022. "Spatial Characteristics of Suburban Villages Based on Spatial Syntax," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, October.
    10. Brendan McGrath, 1998. "The sustainability of a car dependent settlement pattern: an evaluation of new rural settlement in Ireland," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 99-107, June.
    11. Claudia Yamu & Akkelies van Nes & Chiara Garau, 2021. "Bill Hillier’s Legacy: Space Syntax—A Synopsis of Basic Concepts, Measures, and Empirical Application," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-25, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wulantuoya Bao & Yangxuan Liu, 2025. "Spatial Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages Distribution in the Yellow River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-29, May.
    2. Zhe Lei & Weiran Han & Junhuan Li, 2025. "Spatial–Environmental Coupling and Sustainable Planning of Traditional Tibetan Villages: A Case Study of Four Villages in Suopo Township," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-24, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yiran Zhang & Zongsheng Huang, 2025. "Genetic Characteristics of Spatial Network Structures in Traditional Bouyei Village Architecture in Central Guizhou," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-15, February.
    2. Hai Xiao & Congli Xue & Jiahao Yu & Chuwei Yu & Guoqiang Peng, 2023. "Spatial Morphological Characteristics of Ethnic Villages in the Dadu River Basin, a Sino-Tibetan Area of Sichuan, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Qinghai Zhang & Jiabei Wang, 2023. "Spatial Differentiation and Driving Factors of Traditional Villages in Jiangsu Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Le Feng & Lei Fan & Na Wang & Le Li & Ruohan Zhang & Ge Deng, 2024. "A Comparative Study on the Spatial Structure Characteristics of National-Level Traditional Villages in Liaoning, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Jun Zhang & Runni Zhang & Qilun Li & Xue Zhang & Xiong He, 2023. "Spatial Sifferentiation and Differentiated Development Paths of Traditional Villages in Yunnan Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Yihe Huang & Shouyun Shen & Wenmin Hu & Yurou Li & Guo Li, 2022. "Construction of Cultural Heritage Tourism Corridor for the Dissemination of Historical Culture: A Case Study of Typical Mountainous Multi-Ethnic Area in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Yunxing Zhang & Meiyu Yang & Ziyang Li & Weizhen Li & Chenchen Lu & Zhigang Li & Haidong Li & Feifei Zhai, 2023. "Study on the Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors in the Reuse of National Industrial Heritage Sites in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-24, December.
    8. Jiaqi Zhang & Rongrong Zhang & Jiaqi Fan & Xiaoke Guan & Hui Liang, 2025. "Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Urban and Rural Settlements in Tanzania (1975–2020): Drivers, Patterns, and Regional Disparities," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, June.
    9. Qiao Wang & Wenwen Liu & Liang Mao, 2023. "Spatial Evolution of Traditional Village Dwellings in Heilongjiang Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.
    10. Wei Wang & Qianfei Shi & Guoyu Wang, 2024. "Analysis of Performance and Genetic Characteristics of Cultural Landscapes in Traditional Villages along the Jinzhong Section of the Wanli Tea Road from a Landscape Gene Information Chain Perspective:," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-25, September.
    11. Yipeng Ge & Yang Liu & Yueshan Ma & Zihan Qin & Qizheng Gan & Nan Li, 2024. "A Study on the Spatial, Structural, and Cultural Differentiation of Traditional Villages in Western Henan Using Geographic Detectors and ArcGIS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-28, November.
    12. Menghan Zhang & Yue Yu & Meizi Liu & Jingyi Liu, 2024. "Opportunities for China’s Agricultural Heritage Systems under the “Digital Nomadism” Trend—A Stakeholder-Weighted Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-21, March.
    13. Zhenghui Xu & Guohang Tian & Kailu Wei & Yuhong Ma & Shumei Zhang & Yumei Huang & Xiaojun Yao, 2022. "The Influence of Environment on the Distribution Characteristics of Historical Buildings in the Songshan Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-23, November.
    14. Bin Shi & Hongtao Liu & Lu Huang & Yang Zhang & Zhangyong Xiang, 2023. "Increasing Vulnerability of Village Heritage: Evidence from 123 Villages in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-29, November.
    15. Xiaogang Feng & Moqing Hu & Sekhar Somenahalli & Xinyuan Bian & Meng Li & Zaihui Zhou & Fengxia Li & Yuan Wang, 2023. "A Study of Spatio-Temporal Differentiation Characteristics and Driving Factors of Shaanxi Province’s Traditional Heritage Villages," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, May.
    16. Zhongyi Nie & Tian Dong & Wei Pan, 2024. "Spatial differentiation and geographical similarity of traditional villages——Take the Yellow River Basin and the Yangtze River Basin as examples," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(2), pages 1-26, February.
    17. Xue Jiang & Mingze Qin & Jia Liu & Siqi Wang & Jiatong Jiang & Yan Liu & Bingbing Han, 2025. "The Ecological Sensitivity of Traditional Villages Based on Multi-Source Data and Spatial Mechanisms: A Comparative Study of Typical Provinces in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-37, October.
    18. Runchun Guo & Yanmei Xu, 2025. "Spatial Differentiation and Driving Mechanisms of Revolutionary Cultural Tourism Resources in Xinjiang," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-16, October.
    19. Dingwei Niu & Lucang Wang & Fuwei Qiao & Wei Li, 2022. "Analysis of Landscape Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Residential Areas on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: A Case Study of Tibet, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-20, November.
    20. Wei Wang & Qianfei Shi & Guoyu Wang, 2024. "Exploration of the Landscape Gene Characteristics of Traditional Villages along the Jinzhong Section of the Wanli Tea Road from the Perspective of the Village Temple System," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-28, October.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1353-:d:1585657. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.