The Qihe River Basin, renowned as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization and a river that flows in the Psalms, boasts a rich cultural heritage. River basins have historically been the cradle of civilization, nurturing the prosperity and enduring cultures that have supported sustained human civilization. This research focuses on investigating the temporal and spatial transformations of traditional villages in the Qihe River Basin.
By conducting a thorough literature review, consulting local chronicles, and undertaking field surveys, historical information on the ancient Qihe River and its significant tributaries was collected and analysed via ArcGIS 10.8. Spatial analysis techniques, such as the nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, standard deviation ellipse, geographic concentration index, and buffer analysis, were applied to analyse the spatiotemporal dynamics of the spatial distribution of traditional villages. Through a detailed exploration of various factors influencing village evolution, especially the role of rivers in driving changes, several key findings emerged:
1) Traditional villages in the Qihe River Basin exhibit a clustered distribution pattern; 2) the shifting centroid of traditional villages over six historical periods demonstrates a directional trend from southwest to northeast, with contemporary villages facing the risk of disappearance; and 3) factors such as proximity to water, elevation, slope, and socio-cultural elements are intricately linked to traditional villages, with water proximity emerging as a primary influencer.
This study enhances our comprehension of the interplay between traditional village development and river basins, providing valuable theoretical insights for promoting the sustainable development of traditional villages in China. Similar content being viewed by others highlights the human-water relationship as a pivotal aspect of human-environment interactions, with water serving as a nurturing force for civilizations across diverse regions. River basins, in particular, have historically acted as the cradle of human civilization.
The Yangtze River and Yellow Rivers have significantly shaped the trajectory of Chinese civilizations. In addition to major rivers, small watersheds have also played crucial roles in cultivating splendid regional cultures. Traditional villages, as spatial repositories of exceptional Chinese traditional culture, encapsulate the essence of thousand-year-old agrarian civilizations and represent irreplaceable cultural heritage.
However, in the face of rapid urbanization and industrialization in China over recent decades, traditional villages have experienced a precipitous decline. This decline disrupts the continuity of regional historical and cultural heritage, underscoring the urgent need for preservation. As key components of China’s rural revitalization strategy, the preservation of traditional villages is paramount and warrants greater attention. It not only encompasses the inheritance and conservation of traditional culture but also promotes its innovation and transformation, thereby facilitating rural revitalization.
The Qihe River Basin offers a unique lens through which to explore these issues. This river not only gave birth to a splendid ancient civilization but also fostered a profound cultural legacy. The Book of Songs, the first collection of poetry in China, contains 39 poems that depict the customs and scenery of the Qihe River Basin. Consequently, the Qihe River was honored as “China’s Poetry River,” a designation that underscores its cultural significance. Investigating these traditional villages sheds light on the rich history and contemporary challenges faced by these communities.
This study aims to fill gaps by adopting a multi-scale, interdisciplinary approach that integrates historical data, GIS, and qualitative research methods to examine the spatiotemporal patterns of traditional villages in the Qihe River Basin.
Findings indicate that traditional village centrality was more pronounced in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The majority of traditional villages were situated near the river, demonstrating a reliance on water resources. Moreover, natural environment changes, such as river course alterations and land use modifications, have profoundly shaped village preservation efforts.
Given these insights, researchers suggest that the ongoing studies must focus on the growing challenges that local communities face in preserving their cultural heritage. The blend of traditional practices with modern innovation could ensure the sustainability and vitality of these villages, thereby enriching the cultural tapestry of the Qihe River Basin and contributing to China’s broader cultural landscape.
