Correlation Fractal Dimension Analysis Mountainous Traditional Village Settlement Spatial Form –Case Study of Qiandongnan in Guizhou

Abstract

Objective: A study carried out in the traditional villages of Qiandongnan in Guizhou province, located in China, to portray 409 traditional villages’ spatial distribution and fractal charicteristic, as well as its implications for the preservation of the group of traditional villages.   Theoretical framework: From previous research, traditional village quantitative research on spatial area focuses on the statistics of mathematical models and spatial analyses of GIS, which indirectly reflect the complexity of the spatial patterns of traditional villages. Therefore, applying fractal theory to the spatial complexity of villages can provide a relatively objective and direct assessment for studying traditional villages with different formation backgrounds.   Method: Data were collected in Google Earth map data and spatial data were obtained, which were synthesized and analyzed using spatial, statistical and mathematics analysis to verify the distribution factors and know about villages’ spatial fractal characteristics.   Results and conclusion: The mountain settlements in Qiandongnan are concentrated in Leishan based on the Miao national group and “Liping-Congjiang-Rongjiang” based on the Dong national group. The q values of the explanatory power of each factor for the spatial distribution of traditional villages in the Qiandongnan area are, in descending order, intangible cultural heritage > GDP > distance from roads > height > the proportion of ethnic minorities > urbanization rate > average annual temperature > average annual precipitation > distance to rivers.   Research implications: Villages contribute significantly to the enhancement of traditional Chinese culture, especially the preservation of historical buildings and distinctive local cultures. Furthermore, Knowing the factors of traditional village centralized contiguous protection mode and rural planning based on the policy of rural revitalization in China.   Originality/value: Collected traditional villages’ distribution data from the official website and marked on the Google Earth map. Spatial analysis distribution of villages and emphasizes the importance of spatial correlation analysis in understanding the relationship between land use and rural population distribution.