Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, China

This study focuses on the systematic conservation of historical architectural heritage in Heilongjiang Province, particularly addressing the challenges of point-based protection and spatial fragmentation. It explores the construction of a connected and conductive heritage corridor network, using his...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lyuhang Feng, Jiawei Sun, Tongtong Zhai, Mingrui Miao, Guanchao Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/1970
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849467569351688192
author Lyuhang Feng
Jiawei Sun
Tongtong Zhai
Mingrui Miao
Guanchao Yu
author_facet Lyuhang Feng
Jiawei Sun
Tongtong Zhai
Mingrui Miao
Guanchao Yu
author_sort Lyuhang Feng
collection DOAJ
description This study focuses on the systematic conservation of historical architectural heritage in Heilongjiang Province, particularly addressing the challenges of point-based protection and spatial fragmentation. It explores the construction of a connected and conductive heritage corridor network, using historical building clusters across the province as empirical cases. A comprehensive analytical framework is established by integrating the nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, entropy weighting, circuit theory, and network structure metrics. Kernel density analysis reveals a distinct spatial aggregation pattern, characterized by “one core, multiple zones.” Seven resistance factors—including elevation, slope, land use, road networks, and service accessibility—are constructed, with weights assigned through an entropy-based method to generate an integrated resistance surface and suitability map. Circuit theory is employed to simulate cultural “current” flows, identifying 401 potential corridors at the provincial, municipal, and district levels. A hierarchical station system is further developed based on current density, forming a coordinated structure of primary trunks, secondary branches, and complementary nodes. The corridor network’s connectivity is evaluated using graph-theoretic indices (α, β, and γ), which indicate high levels of closure, structural complexity, and accessibility. The results yield the following key findings: (1) Historical architectural resources in Heilongjiang demonstrate significant coupling with the Chinese Eastern Railway and multi-ethnic cultural corridors, forming a “one horizontal, three vertical” spatial configuration. The horizontal axis (Qiqihar–Harbin–Mudanjiang) aligns with the core cultural route of the railway, while the three vertical axes (Qiqihar–Heihe, Harbin–Heihe, and Mudanjiang–Luobei) correspond to ethnic cultural pathways. This forms a framework of “railway as backbone, ethnicity as wings.” (2) Comparative analysis of corridor paths, railways, and highways reveals structural mismatches in certain regions, including absent high-speed connections along northern trunk lines, insufficient feeder lines in secondary corridors, sparse terminal links, and missing ecological stations near regional boundaries. To address these gaps, a three-tier transportation coordination strategy is recommended: it comprises provincial corridors linked to high-speed rail, municipal corridors aligned with conventional rail, and district corridors connected via highway systems. Key enhancement zones include Yichun–Heihe, Youyi–Hulin, and Hegang–Wuying, where targeted infrastructure upgrades and integrated station hubs are proposed. Based on these findings, this study proposes a comprehensive governance paradigm for heritage corridors that balances multi-level coordination (provincial–municipal–district) with ecological planning. A closed-loop strategy of “identification–analysis–optimization” is developed, featuring tiered collaboration, cultural–ecological synergy, and multi-agent dynamic evaluation. The framework provides a replicable methodology for integrated protection and spatial sustainability of historical architecture in Heilongjiang and other cold-region contexts.
format Article
id doaj-art-0d6b611f5af144d8a76a64c4ba7a09f4
institution Kabale University
issn 2075-5309
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-0d6b611f5af144d8a76a64c4ba7a09f42025-08-20T03:26:10ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011512197010.3390/buildings15121970Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, ChinaLyuhang Feng0Jiawei Sun1Tongtong Zhai2Mingrui Miao3Guanchao Yu4School of Art, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, ChinaSchool of Art, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, ChinaSchool of Art, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, ChinaGold Mantis School of Architecture, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, ChinaSchool of Art, Heilongjiang University, Harbin 150080, ChinaThis study focuses on the systematic conservation of historical architectural heritage in Heilongjiang Province, particularly addressing the challenges of point-based protection and spatial fragmentation. It explores the construction of a connected and conductive heritage corridor network, using historical building clusters across the province as empirical cases. A comprehensive analytical framework is established by integrating the nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, entropy weighting, circuit theory, and network structure metrics. Kernel density analysis reveals a distinct spatial aggregation pattern, characterized by “one core, multiple zones.” Seven resistance factors—including elevation, slope, land use, road networks, and service accessibility—are constructed, with weights assigned through an entropy-based method to generate an integrated resistance surface and suitability map. Circuit theory is employed to simulate cultural “current” flows, identifying 401 potential corridors at the provincial, municipal, and district levels. A hierarchical station system is further developed based on current density, forming a coordinated structure of primary trunks, secondary branches, and complementary nodes. The corridor network’s connectivity is evaluated using graph-theoretic indices (α, β, and γ), which indicate high levels of closure, structural complexity, and accessibility. The results yield the following key findings: (1) Historical architectural resources in Heilongjiang demonstrate significant coupling with the Chinese Eastern Railway and multi-ethnic cultural corridors, forming a “one horizontal, three vertical” spatial configuration. The horizontal axis (Qiqihar–Harbin–Mudanjiang) aligns with the core cultural route of the railway, while the three vertical axes (Qiqihar–Heihe, Harbin–Heihe, and Mudanjiang–Luobei) correspond to ethnic cultural pathways. This forms a framework of “railway as backbone, ethnicity as wings.” (2) Comparative analysis of corridor paths, railways, and highways reveals structural mismatches in certain regions, including absent high-speed connections along northern trunk lines, insufficient feeder lines in secondary corridors, sparse terminal links, and missing ecological stations near regional boundaries. To address these gaps, a three-tier transportation coordination strategy is recommended: it comprises provincial corridors linked to high-speed rail, municipal corridors aligned with conventional rail, and district corridors connected via highway systems. Key enhancement zones include Yichun–Heihe, Youyi–Hulin, and Hegang–Wuying, where targeted infrastructure upgrades and integrated station hubs are proposed. Based on these findings, this study proposes a comprehensive governance paradigm for heritage corridors that balances multi-level coordination (provincial–municipal–district) with ecological planning. A closed-loop strategy of “identification–analysis–optimization” is developed, featuring tiered collaboration, cultural–ecological synergy, and multi-agent dynamic evaluation. The framework provides a replicable methodology for integrated protection and spatial sustainability of historical architecture in Heilongjiang and other cold-region contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/1970Heilongjiang provincehistorical architectureheritage corridorcircuit theoryspatial connectivity
spellingShingle Lyuhang Feng
Jiawei Sun
Tongtong Zhai
Mingrui Miao
Guanchao Yu
Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, China
Buildings
Heilongjiang province
historical architecture
heritage corridor
circuit theory
spatial connectivity
title Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, China
title_full Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, China
title_fullStr Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, China
title_full_unstemmed Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, China
title_short Planning for Cultural Connectivity: Modeling and Strategic Use of Architectural Heritage Corridors in Heilongjiang Province, China
title_sort planning for cultural connectivity modeling and strategic use of architectural heritage corridors in heilongjiang province china
topic Heilongjiang province
historical architecture
heritage corridor
circuit theory
spatial connectivity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/1970
work_keys_str_mv AT lyuhangfeng planningforculturalconnectivitymodelingandstrategicuseofarchitecturalheritagecorridorsinheilongjiangprovincechina
AT jiaweisun planningforculturalconnectivitymodelingandstrategicuseofarchitecturalheritagecorridorsinheilongjiangprovincechina
AT tongtongzhai planningforculturalconnectivitymodelingandstrategicuseofarchitecturalheritagecorridorsinheilongjiangprovincechina
AT mingruimiao planningforculturalconnectivitymodelingandstrategicuseofarchitecturalheritagecorridorsinheilongjiangprovincechina
AT guanchaoyu planningforculturalconnectivitymodelingandstrategicuseofarchitecturalheritagecorridorsinheilongjiangprovincechina