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Classification and detection of dominant factors in geospatial patterns of traditional settlements in China

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Abstract

The geospatial distribution pattern in traditional Chinese settlements (TCSs) reflects the traditional harmony between humans and nature, which has been learned over centuries. However, TCSs have experienced serious disturbances by urbanization and migration. It is crucial to explore the local wisdom of geospatial patterns and dominant factors for TCSs at the national scale in China. This study sought to determine the geospatial wisdom of traditional settlements to enrich our future settlement development with the aim of establishing Chinese settlement values for modern living. Herein, a dataset of 4000 TCSs were analyzed and clustered for environmental factors that affect their geospatial patterns by machine learning algorithms. We concluded that (1) five geospatial patterns of TCSs were clustered on a national scale, and the threshold of environmental factors of TCS groups was detected. (2) Environmental conditions and settlement concepts interacted and determined the similarities and differences among TCS groups. (3) The key boundary for TCSs and the dominant factors for each zone were determined, and topographical conditions and hydrologic resources played significant roles in all five TCS zones. This study provides a better understanding of the adaptability of the environment in relation to the TCSs and aids in planning TCS conservation and rural revitalization.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Shuo Shi, Mr. Ke Xiong, and Ms. Ya’nan Duan from Sichuan University, Dr. Guojie Chen and Dr. Yucheng He from Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS for professional advice.

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Correspondence to Baofeng Di.

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Foundation: National Key Research and Development Program of China, No.2020YFD1100701; Social Science Research “14th Five-Year Plan” 2021 Project of Sichuan Province, No.SC21ST001; Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.XDA23090502

Author: Wu Shaolin (1997–), PhD Candidate, specialized in settlement environment.

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Wu, S., Di, B., Ustin, S.L. et al. Classification and detection of dominant factors in geospatial patterns of traditional settlements in China. J. Geogr. Sci. 32, 873–891 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-022-1976-7

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