Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements

It is significant to study the correlation between the spatial distribution and topographic features for ethnic minority rural settlements, which can provide the theoretical basis and practical methods for the preservation of ethnic culture and scientific planning of territorial space. Liuzhou in Gu...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xi Luo, Jian Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/7/1409
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850077772649594880
author Xi Luo
Jian Zhang
author_facet Xi Luo
Jian Zhang
author_sort Xi Luo
collection DOAJ
description It is significant to study the correlation between the spatial distribution and topographic features for ethnic minority rural settlements, which can provide the theoretical basis and practical methods for the preservation of ethnic culture and scientific planning of territorial space. Liuzhou in Guangxi is a region with diverse ethnic groups and this paper takes Liuzhou as the case study. This study employs fractal theory, GIS spatial analysis, and correlation analysis methods to investigate the relationship between settlement spatial patterns and their surrounding geographical conditions. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between the geographic location of ethnic minority rural settlements (including site selection and terrain features) and their geographical conditions (topographic and elevation factors). Additionally, significant associations exist between settlement slope, settlement orientation, and their positioning within mountainous terrain. The study also reveals strong correlations between planar morphological characteristics (or settlement scale) and settlement terrain for the settlements of the same ethnic group within the same region. Specifically, Dong settlements exhibit remarkable consistency in settlement scale, while Miao settlements demonstrate high similarity in terms of elevation distribution. The methodology developed in this study is applicable to correlation research on settlement characteristics across diverse ethnic groups and geographical regions. It not only reveals universal patterns of how physical-geographic environments influence the planar and spatial features of settlements, but also validates the logical coherence of investigating layout characteristics from both planar and spatial perspectives. The findings of this study not only provide practical guidance for the development and planning of settlements, but also offer recommendations for the cultural inheritance and settlement protection of ethnic minorities.
format Article
id doaj-art-458728b4e347400d9c8aea65987b211d
institution DOAJ
issn 2073-445X
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Land
spelling doaj-art-458728b4e347400d9c8aea65987b211d2025-08-20T02:45:43ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-07-01147140910.3390/land14071409Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural SettlementsXi Luo0Jian Zhang1Department of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, ChinaDepartment of Architecture, School of Design, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, ChinaIt is significant to study the correlation between the spatial distribution and topographic features for ethnic minority rural settlements, which can provide the theoretical basis and practical methods for the preservation of ethnic culture and scientific planning of territorial space. Liuzhou in Guangxi is a region with diverse ethnic groups and this paper takes Liuzhou as the case study. This study employs fractal theory, GIS spatial analysis, and correlation analysis methods to investigate the relationship between settlement spatial patterns and their surrounding geographical conditions. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between the geographic location of ethnic minority rural settlements (including site selection and terrain features) and their geographical conditions (topographic and elevation factors). Additionally, significant associations exist between settlement slope, settlement orientation, and their positioning within mountainous terrain. The study also reveals strong correlations between planar morphological characteristics (or settlement scale) and settlement terrain for the settlements of the same ethnic group within the same region. Specifically, Dong settlements exhibit remarkable consistency in settlement scale, while Miao settlements demonstrate high similarity in terms of elevation distribution. The methodology developed in this study is applicable to correlation research on settlement characteristics across diverse ethnic groups and geographical regions. It not only reveals universal patterns of how physical-geographic environments influence the planar and spatial features of settlements, but also validates the logical coherence of investigating layout characteristics from both planar and spatial perspectives. The findings of this study not only provide practical guidance for the development and planning of settlements, but also offer recommendations for the cultural inheritance and settlement protection of ethnic minorities.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/7/1409ethnic minorityrural settlementplanar morphologyspatial layoutcorrelation analysis
spellingShingle Xi Luo
Jian Zhang
Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements
Land
ethnic minority
rural settlement
planar morphology
spatial layout
correlation analysis
title Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements
title_full Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements
title_fullStr Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements
title_full_unstemmed Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements
title_short Research on the Correlation Between Spatial Layout Characteristics and Geographical Conditions for Ethnic Minority Rural Settlements
title_sort research on the correlation between spatial layout characteristics and geographical conditions for ethnic minority rural settlements
topic ethnic minority
rural settlement
planar morphology
spatial layout
correlation analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/7/1409
work_keys_str_mv AT xiluo researchonthecorrelationbetweenspatiallayoutcharacteristicsandgeographicalconditionsforethnicminorityruralsettlements
AT jianzhang researchonthecorrelationbetweenspatiallayoutcharacteristicsandgeographicalconditionsforethnicminorityruralsettlements