Spatio-temporal Evolution of Spatial Accessibility of Traditional Chinese Villages in Guangdong Province and Its Determinants

Abstract

Taking 263 traditional Chinese villages in Guangdong Province as the study sites and spatial accessibility as the core focus, this study employs ArcGIS, the GWR model, web-crawling techniques, and other modern geographical analytical tools to provide an in-depth analysis of the spatio-temporal evolution, processes, and determinants of spatial accessibility in traditional villages to conduct an integrated qualitative-quantitative analysis. Furthermore, the GWR model is applied to examine the local effects and spatial spillovers of these determinants. The findings indicate that: (1) From the Song to the Qing dynasties, the point axis progressive development pattern of historical accessibility and historical routes is distinct. It generally extends outward from Guangzhou along six major axes. (2) At present, spatial accessibility shows a concentric, stepwise decline from the Pearl River Delta toward the surrounding areas. (3) The traditional settlement concepts of “ living with mountains and waters” and the practical needs of “transportation and commerce” have become key determinants of spatial accessibility. (4) GWR regression analysis shows that among the determinants, the effect of elevation on accessibility weakens in concentric layers from the Pearl River Delta toward the surrounding areas; river density shows clear inter municipal clusters of positive and negative values; and the influence of road-network density varies considerably across municipalities, and the regression coefficients increase outward from central Guangdong. Differences in spatial accessibility thus shape divergent pathways for preservation and revitalization.