Spatial Distribution and Type Division of Traditional Villages in Zhejiang Province

Exploring the spatial distribution and type characteristics of traditional villages is crucial for promoting their protection and sustainable development. This article used the average nearest neighbor index, imbalance index, kernel density, standard deviation ellipse, and cluster analysis to analyze the overall distribution characteristics of traditional villages in Zhejiang Province and completed the classification of traditional village types and distribution areas in Zhejiang Province. The results indicate that traditional villages in Zhejiang Province exhibit a clustered and unbalanced distribution in space. They tend to be located below an altitude of 200 m, within 500 m of the river system, with terrain undulations of 20–200 m, 10–30 km away from county-level administrative centers, and 0–3 km away from main roads but with sparse road networks. Based on the comprehensive influence of geographical elements in the geographical environment of traditional villages, traditional villages in Zhejiang Province can be divided into five types. Based on the spatial distribution and type characteristics of traditional villages in Zhejiang Province, distribution areas of traditional villages in Zhejiang Province can be divided into six types. Finally, corresponding protection and development suggestions were proposed. These results can enrich the research content of traditional villages in Zhejiang Province and provide theoretical support for the protection and sustainable development of traditional villages.