Spatial influencing factors and protection strategies of traditional villages in ethnic areas: A case study of Guangxi

The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regionis an example of a concentrated settlement of ethnic minorities, characterized by a multifaceted socio-cultural environment that integrates diverse ethnic traditions. To investigate the spatial distribution patterns and driving factors of the 342 nationally recognized traditional villages in Guangxi, we adopted adopts an integrated methodological framework comprising the nearest neighbor index (NNI), imbalance index, kernel density estimation (KDE), and optimal parameters-based geographical detector (OPGD). We analyzed the differences in influencing factors between Guangxi and its surrounding regions and finally propose protection strategies for traditional villages in Guangxi. The outcomes of the research are outlined below: (1) The spatial distribution demonstrates significant clustering tendencies with pronounced regional imbalances. (2) The spatial distribution manifests a characteristic “one-primary core, three-secondary cores and dual spatial belts” pattern. (3) The spatial pattern of villages is jointly shaped by three interacting forces: natural conditions as the foundational basis, economic strength as the supporting guarantee, and socio-cultural factors as the animating core. Their coordination and mutual reinforcement jointly facilitate the distinctive development and continuity of traditional villages in ethnic minority regions. (4) This study constructs an integrated four-component conservation framework oriented toward spatially differentiated protection, reinforcement of core driving forces, optimization of the natural foundation, and activation of multidimensional synergy. The results can provide a reference for the policies and planning of the evolution of traditional settlements within ethnic minority regions.