Research on the Public Environment Renewal of Traditional Villages Based on the Social Network Analysis Method

Abstract

Constructing digital models of public spaces of social networks found in traditional villages helps us explore the logic behind the interactions that occur within various relationships as well as achieve the optimization of spatial layouts and the equalization of the different use needs that social groups have. However, this analytical method has not been fully studied in the field focusing on the rationality of public spaces in traditional villages. This paper takes the traditional village protection demonstration area in Mentougou District, Beijing, China, as the object of research and selects three different forms of traditional villages to be analyzed. It tries to excavate the universal laws and unique differences in the models of the different forms of traditional villages and establish models for quantitative research, such as index calculation, so as to increase the depth and accuracy of research and embody the characteristic laws of the spaces studied in terms of the nature of the structures and relationships that are part of these spaces. The results show that the spatial characteristics of the different forms of traditional villages are obviously different from the relevance, equalization, and connectivity of spatial networks. The cluster form of traditional villages tends to focus on the villagers’ use demands and the assessment of the spatial status quo by increasing the number of spatial nodes and transforming spatial functions in order to achieve higher equalization. The dispersed form of traditional villages tends to focus on optimizing the relevance of spatial network structures. The linear form of traditional villages tends to establish public spaces so as to increase the depth and accuracy of research. Villages ought to establish direct links between public spaces in order to increase the connectivity of traditional villages. This study provides a rational basis for the differentiated planning decisions of traditional villages and lays the foundation for the promotion of the smooth and sustainable development of regional villages.

Research on the Vitality of Public Spaces in Tourist Villages through Social Network Analysis: A Case Study of Mochou Village in Hubei, China

“…In the theory and practice of public space, social network analysis has been increasingly applied to the complex rural system to intuitively and quantitatively reveal the relevant characteristics of the rural spatial network system [57,58]. Compared with other analysis methods such as GIS, social network analysis pays more attention to the behavioral needs of people in small and medium-scale spaces and is therefore more suitable for analyzing the public space of tourist villages [59]. Social network analysis views actors as nodes and the relationships between actors as connections, thus constructing a social space network [60].…”

“…spatial network system [57,58]. Compared with other analysis methods such as GIS, social network analysis pays more attention to the behavioral needs of people in small and medium-scale spaces and is therefore more suitable for analyzing the public space of tourist villages [59]. Social network analysis views actors as nodes and the relationships between actors as connections, thus constructing a social space network [60].…”

“…The average path length of the behavioral network was 3.036, indicating high spatial accessibility within Mochou Village. A high degree of nodalness of a public space means that the number of public spaces directly accessible to it by road is high [59]. In summary, the spatial connectivity of Mochou Village exhibits strong aggregation.…”