An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China

Abstract The interaction between globalization and localization profoundly influences the evolution of cultural landscapes, and the protection of local traditional culture serves as the foundation for cultural diversity and confidence. Tianshui fortresses, as typical folk defensive settlements, embo...

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Main Authors: Shangzhou Song, Shaohua Wang, Xiao Li, Zhengbo Wang, Liang Zhou, Cheng Su, Dachuan Xu, Jiayi Zheng, Zhuonan Huang, Haojian Liang, Junyuan Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-08-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05399-2
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author Shangzhou Song
Shaohua Wang
Xiao Li
Zhengbo Wang
Liang Zhou
Cheng Su
Dachuan Xu
Jiayi Zheng
Zhuonan Huang
Haojian Liang
Junyuan Zhou
author_facet Shangzhou Song
Shaohua Wang
Xiao Li
Zhengbo Wang
Liang Zhou
Cheng Su
Dachuan Xu
Jiayi Zheng
Zhuonan Huang
Haojian Liang
Junyuan Zhou
author_sort Shangzhou Song
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The interaction between globalization and localization profoundly influences the evolution of cultural landscapes, and the protection of local traditional culture serves as the foundation for cultural diversity and confidence. Tianshui fortresses, as typical folk defensive settlements, embody unique landscape and geographical features, reflecting distinct local cultural characteristics. This research adopts various methods, including field investigations and geographic information technologies, to explore the spatial distribution patterns of the fortresses in Tianshui and the mechanisms influencing them. It is discovered that the fortresses, as folk defensive architecture/settlements, exhibit unique geographical distribution patterns compared to state defensive buildings/settlements, characterized by relatively homogeneous specifications, formations, and distribution patterns without hierarchical differences in importance. The study finds that the reasons for fortress construction, settlement distributions, and terrain are the main factors influencing the spatial distribution of fortresses. The force transmission chain, “natural conditions—land grain productivity—land population carrying capacity—population distribution—settlement distribution—fortress distribution,” is identified as the primary mechanism affecting the spatial distribution of Tianshui fortresses. This study analyzes the distribution patterns of Tianshui fortresses, filling the gap in the specialized database on these settlements. It further deepens the theoretical understanding of the evolutionary patterns of special cultural landscapes and provides targeted reference materials for the protection of local traditional culture, heritage tourism development, and related practical applications.
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spelling doaj-art-e8b00133bed34454b3da8c58577ec7ab2025-08-20T03:47:10ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-08-0112112210.1057/s41599-025-05399-2An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, ChinaShangzhou Song0Shaohua Wang1Xiao Li2Zhengbo Wang3Liang Zhou4Cheng Su5Dachuan Xu6Jiayi Zheng7Zhuonan Huang8Haojian Liang9Junyuan Zhou10Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources ResearchAerospace Information Research InstituteAerospace Information Research InstituteInstitute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources ResearchLanzhou Jiaotong UniversityAerospace Information Research InstituteAerospace Information Research InstituteAerospace Information Research InstituteChina University of Geosciences BeijingAerospace Information Research InstituteAerospace Information Research InstituteAbstract The interaction between globalization and localization profoundly influences the evolution of cultural landscapes, and the protection of local traditional culture serves as the foundation for cultural diversity and confidence. Tianshui fortresses, as typical folk defensive settlements, embody unique landscape and geographical features, reflecting distinct local cultural characteristics. This research adopts various methods, including field investigations and geographic information technologies, to explore the spatial distribution patterns of the fortresses in Tianshui and the mechanisms influencing them. It is discovered that the fortresses, as folk defensive architecture/settlements, exhibit unique geographical distribution patterns compared to state defensive buildings/settlements, characterized by relatively homogeneous specifications, formations, and distribution patterns without hierarchical differences in importance. The study finds that the reasons for fortress construction, settlement distributions, and terrain are the main factors influencing the spatial distribution of fortresses. The force transmission chain, “natural conditions—land grain productivity—land population carrying capacity—population distribution—settlement distribution—fortress distribution,” is identified as the primary mechanism affecting the spatial distribution of Tianshui fortresses. This study analyzes the distribution patterns of Tianshui fortresses, filling the gap in the specialized database on these settlements. It further deepens the theoretical understanding of the evolutionary patterns of special cultural landscapes and provides targeted reference materials for the protection of local traditional culture, heritage tourism development, and related practical applications.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05399-2
spellingShingle Shangzhou Song
Shaohua Wang
Xiao Li
Zhengbo Wang
Liang Zhou
Cheng Su
Dachuan Xu
Jiayi Zheng
Zhuonan Huang
Haojian Liang
Junyuan Zhou
An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China
title_full An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China
title_fullStr An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China
title_full_unstemmed An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China
title_short An investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in Tianshui, Gansu Province, China
title_sort investigation into the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of fortresses in tianshui gansu province china
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05399-2
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