An Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Along the Grand Canal of China

A southward shift in the distribution of national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) along China's Grand Canal, driven by urbanization and economic development, has been identified. The study reveals significant spatial clustering of ICH, particularly at the northern and southern ends of the canal, with marked regional disparities in quantity and structure, dominated by traditional skills and drama categories. Urbanization emerges as the strongest influencing factor, while natural environmental impacts, though minor, remain relevant. Employing GIS-based spatial analysis techniques—including kernel density estimation, mean nearest neighbor index, and standard deviation ellipse—the research analyzed 504 national ICH items, providing actionable insights for sustainable cultural preservation and economic growth in the Grand Canal Basin.

Shi, G., Feng, Z., Zhang, J., Xu, J., Chen, Y., Liu, J., & Wang, Y. (2024). An Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Along the Grand Canal of China. Sustainability, 16(20), 9138. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209138