The Driving Mechanisms of Traditional Villages’ Spatiotemporal Distribution in Fujian, China: Unraveling the Interplay of Economic, Demographic, Cultural, and Natural Factors

Traditional villages (TVLGS) have significantly declined as a result of China’s fast urbanization, especially in Fujian Province, where efficient conservation efforts are hampered by a lack of thorough study. The geographical and temporal distribution features of Fujian’s traditional villages (FTVLGS) are investigated using ArcGIS 10.8 and GeoDa software. Additionally, it identifies 18 driving factors to investigate the primary influences and interaction mechanisms through a combination of Python 3.7 and GeoDa 1.16. The results show that: (1) FTVLGS are distributed both spatially and temporally in a pattern that is oriented from northeast to southwest to east. Over time, the distribution center of gravity moves from north to southeast, increasing directional tendencies and broadening the distribution area. (2) The impact of each driving factor on the spatial distribution of TVLGS varies, with the strongest influence being the interaction between average annual precipitation and the straight-line distance from provincial highways. The straight-line distance between TVLGS and provincial highways is found to be the most significant factor affecting their distribution. This study clarifies the intricate dynamics associated with the distribution of TVLGS and the factors that influence them, providing evidence-based recommendations for the future preservation and advancement of these TVLGS. It also aims to enhance the connectivity of developmental elements at a regional scale and to foster the advancement of global tourism within TVLGS.