Analysis on the Evolution of Spatial Distribution Patterns of Red Cultural Heritage in China--Empirical evidence based on data from 1,433 counties in 268 cities in 31 provinces

Abstract Red Cultural Heritage is a type of non-renewable heritage formed during a specific historical period, and it represents a significant spiritual asset for the Chinese nation. The study takes the data of immovable revolutionary cultural relics published by the governments of 34 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of China as the base samples, totaling 21,000 samples to construct a geographic information (GIS) database. The research methodology uses the kernel density analysis, proximity index, geographic concentration index, and mean center analysis module of GIS. The research adopts a combination of qualitative and quantitative analytical tools to explore the spatial and temporal distribution pattern and evolution trend of the Red Cultural Heritage produced between 1921 and 1950. The results show that: ① heritage sites with different attributes exhibit a clustered distribution pattern, and heritage types with the same attribute show strong spatial-event correlation and continuity; ② the center of gravity of heritage distribution has a tendency of shifting from the southeast to the northwest from both spatial and temporal perspectives. The evolution follows a trajectory from point diffusion to belt extension and ultimately to nationwide coverage; ③ Based on the historical background and distribution characteristics of the Red Cultural Heritage across different periods, this study constructs a national spatial framework composed of “two cores, three axes, one belt, five clusters, and multiple areas”. At the macro level, it presents the protection and inheritance pattern of the red cultural space, in order to provide quantitative evidence and supplementation for the related red cultural research.