Building national eco-cultural protection areas and the Xiangxi practice in Hunan Province

Abstract

Since 2007, the Chinese government has initiated the building of national eco-cultural protection areas (NECPAs), thereby embarking on a significant transformation of the model of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) protection in China. To understand the origin and outputs of this policy, this paper demonstrates the context of China's NECPAs. It proposes a conceptual NECPA framework that mainly features regional overall ICH protection. This is followed by an examination of the case of Xiangxi in Western Hunan as a pilot zone for China's eco-cultural protection. Xiangxi has performed much related work to promote NECPAs and made great progress in regional overall ICH protection. This insight suggests that there are benefits and costs associated with promotion of China's NECPAs and regional overall ICH protection. Despite the advantages of institutional innovation, the unexpected side effects actually undermine the success of plan implementation.

A study on the spatial distribution characteristics and driving factors of traditional villages in the southeast coast of China: A case study of Puxian, Fujian

“…The differentiation is affected by the complexity, diversity, nonlinearity and heterogeneity of each influencing factor [31]. Basic qualitative analysis and single factor exploration are difficult to accurately quantify the interaction between the factors affecting the distribution of traditional villages [19]. Therefore, exploring the spatial distribution characteristics of traditional villages through reasonable statistical analysis means can master the human land interaction mechanism of villages and establish scientific protection and continuation policies, which is of great significance to the construction of ecological civilization and the protection of local cultural heritage and cultural diversity [32].…”

“…In addition, most of the current research methods are based on ArcGIS spatial autocorrelation analysis, combined with residual analysis or correlation analysis; However, residual analysis cannot quantify the analysis factors [19], while correlation analysis can quantify but not express spatial heterogeneity. It is suggested that [20].…”

Temporal and spatial patterns of traditional village distribution evolution in Xiangxi, China: identifying multidimensional influential factors and conservation significance

“…1). Geographically positioned between longitudes 109° 10′ E to 112° 15' E and latitudes 25° 44′ N to 29° 47′ N, it adjoins the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the west and the Dongting Lake Plain to the east [30]. The region is traversed by the Wuling and Xuefeng Mountains, extending from the southwest to the northeast, which imparts a predominantly mountainous landscape.…”

Satisfaction among the Elderly Living in the Ancient Town of Xiangxi

“…The Tujia region in Western Hunan is often located in a mountainous and complex terrain, and ancient towns often stand by water, such as the ancient towns on both sides of the You River region, which are adjacent to waterway transportation hubs, forming a developed commercial trade space. By contrast, Tujia villages lack a large amount of commercial trade space, and the homes are often built on hillsides, forming many stilted buildings [52]. Due to the differences in terrain, production methods, and other factors between Tujia villages and ancient towns, their residential architecture differs considerably:…”