Quantitative spatial connectivity of karst industrial heritage sites: a case study of five Guizhou sites

Industrial heritage clusters in karst regions exhibit weak overall connectivity, characterized by structural fragility and low stability. A study analyzing five Guizhou sites reveals that these clusters are topographically dependent, with building agglomerations showing heterogeneous planar configurations and diverse morphological patterns. The architectural relics network demonstrates limited medium/high centrality nodes, dominated by low/medium competitiveness, with coordinator roles playing a primary function in network dynamics. Location and transportation emerge as critical determinants of connectivity. Based on these insights, the study proposes integrated conservation strategies for industrial heritage preservation, including systematic restoration and hierarchical classification frameworks. These findings offer methodological references for the sustainable management of global industrial and cultural heritage sites.

Zhang, B., Fan, J., & Zhang, P. (2025). Quantitative spatial connectivity of karst industrial heritage sites: a case study of five Guizhou sites. Npj Heritage Science, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s40494-025-01822-8