Transportation Accessibility of Central Towns in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Sites in Mountainous Areas and Its Impact on Local Economic Development: A Case Study of Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System, Yunnan

Over 70% of central towns within the Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System (HHRTS) experience poor transportation accessibility, with travel times exceeding one hour to reach the nearest high-grade city. This study introduces a model measuring shortest time-distances to assess transportation accessibility (TA) and evaluates its economic impact on these mountainous sites. Findings reveal significant regional disparities, with Yuanyang County showing the best traffic conditions while Lvchun County lags behind. Northern and middle regions exhibit better TA compared to western, southwestern, and eastern marginal areas. Small-scale rural economies demonstrate minimal dependence on transportation networks, whereas secondary industries are notably affected. The research advocates for targeted infrastructure improvements aligned with local industrial orientations, cautioning against excessive road construction that may harm ecologically vulnerable towns or yield insufficient economic benefits.

Yongxun, Z., Xiande, L., & Qingwen, M. (2019). Transportation Accessibility of Central Towns in Important Agricultural Heritage Systems Sites in Mountainous Areas and Its Impact on Local Economic Development: A Case Study of Honghe Hani Rice Terraced System, Yunnan. Journal of Resources and Ecology, 10(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2019.01.004