IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i4p1666-d1593116.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Spatial Synergy Between Cultural Heritage and Metro Networks: A Case Study of Distribution Patterns and Value Assessment in Beijing

Author

Listed:
  • Haisheng Hu

    (Graduate School, University of Nova Gorica, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia
    Doctoral School, Università Iuav di Venezia, 30135 Venezia, Italy)

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of urbanisation and transit networks, exploring the spatial relationship between metro systems and cultural heritage is crucial for both heritage preservation and sustainable urban development. This study uses the nearest neighbour index, kernel density analysis, and spatial value evaluation to examine the distribution patterns of cultural heritage in Beijing and its spatial interaction with the metro network. The results show that different types of cultural heritage have distinct distribution characteristics: stone inscriptions are widely dispersed due to their need for preservation in natural settings; traditional villages and ancient tombs are shaped by historical and geographical factors; and industrial heritage is concentrated in areas of historical industrial activity, reflecting strong functional zoning traits. The metro network enhances the accessibility of cultural heritage, especially national- and provincial-level sites, which are predominantly clustered near metro stations. However, geographically isolated world heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs, remain less connected to the metro network, helping preserve their authenticity and avoid overdevelopment. Furthermore, thematic designs and cultural displays within Beijing’s metro stations successfully bridge the gap between history and modernity, positioning metro stations as key platforms for cultural dissemination. Nevertheless, metro construction presents challenges to heritage conservation, including potential impacts on site stability due to tunnelling and conflicts between modern station design and the aesthetic integrity of historic districts. These findings offer practical insights for cultural heritage preservation and transit planning in Beijing and serve as a reference for the sustainable development of other historic cities worldwide.

Suggested Citation

  • Haisheng Hu, 2025. "Spatial Synergy Between Cultural Heritage and Metro Networks: A Case Study of Distribution Patterns and Value Assessment in Beijing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1666-:d:1593116
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1666/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1666/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chang, Zheng, 2014. "Financing new metros—The Beijing metro financing sustainability study," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 148-155.
    2. Su, Rui & Bramwell, Bill & Whalley, Peter A., 2018. "Cultural political economy and urban heritage tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 30-40.
    3. Liu Jin & Zongqi Wang & Xiaohong Chen, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages on the Tibetan Plateau in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Haiyun Xu & Tobias Plieninger & Jørgen Primdahl, 2019. "A Systematic Comparison of Cultural and Ecological Landscape Corridors in Europe," Land, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-32, February.
    5. Nuria Huete Alcocer & Víctor Raúl López Ruiz, 2020. "The role of destination image in tourist satisfaction: the case of a heritage site," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 2444-2461, January.
    6. Jiaojiao Bian & Wanxu Chen & Jie Zeng, 2022. "Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Feiyang Lin & Xuan Zhang & Zhiyao Ma & Yifu Zhang, 2022. "Spatial Structure and Corridor Construction of Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Case Study of the Ming Great Wall," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-24, September.
    8. Weiwei Liu & Jianwei Yan & Xiang Sun & Ruiqi Song, 2025. "Research on “Identification–Cognition–Perception” of the Pedestrian Spaces Around Subway Stations near Popular Tourist Attractions from the Tourists’ Perspective: A Case Study of Tianjin," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-28, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yihe Huang & Shouyun Shen & Wenmin Hu & Yurou Li & Guo Li, 2022. "Construction of Cultural Heritage Tourism Corridor for the Dissemination of Historical Culture: A Case Study of Typical Mountainous Multi-Ethnic Area in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Le Feng & Lei Fan & Na Wang & Le Li & Ruohan Zhang & Ge Deng, 2024. "A Comparative Study on the Spatial Structure Characteristics of National-Level Traditional Villages in Liaoning, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, September.
    3. Weidi Zhang & Hanyu Yang, 2024. "Quantitative Research of Traditional Village Morphology Based on Spatial Genes: A Case Study of Shaanxi Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-26, October.
    4. Jun Zhang & Runni Zhang & Qilun Li & Xue Zhang & Xiong He, 2023. "Spatial Sifferentiation and Differentiated Development Paths of Traditional Villages in Yunnan Province," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Ningling Xie & Bin Cheng, 2023. "The Impact of Urban Expressways on the Street Space of Traditional Tibetan Villages in Kham, Taking Daofu County as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Yunxing Zhang & Meiyu Yang & Ziyang Li & Weizhen Li & Chenchen Lu & Zhigang Li & Haidong Li & Feifei Zhai, 2023. "Study on the Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors in the Reuse of National Industrial Heritage Sites in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-24, December.
    7. Xiaogang Feng & Moqing Hu & Sekhar Somenahalli & Wenbin Zhang & Kunyan Liu & Meng Li & Zaihui Zhou & Fengxia Li, 2025. "Study on the Spatial Morphology of Ando Tibetan Traditional Villages in China: A Case of Traditional Villages in Huangnan Prefecture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-20, February.
    8. Guanglei Yang & Lixin Wu & Liang Xie & Zhezheng Liu & Zhe Li, 2023. "Study on the Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Traditional Villages in the Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou Rocky Desertification Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-23, October.
    9. Huimin Song & Wei Zeng & Jamie M. Chen & Emily Ma, 2024. "COVID-19 Impacts on the Spatial Network of City Tourism in Fujian Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-14, April.
    10. Qiao Wang & Wenwen Liu & Liang Mao, 2023. "Spatial Evolution of Traditional Village Dwellings in Heilongjiang Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-17, March.
    11. Xiaoli Fan & Lei Sun, 2024. "Geographic Distribution Characteristics and Influencing Factors for Industrial Heritage Sites in Italy Based on GIS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, March.
    12. Wei Wang & Qianfei Shi & Guoyu Wang, 2024. "Analysis of Performance and Genetic Characteristics of Cultural Landscapes in Traditional Villages along the Jinzhong Section of the Wanli Tea Road from a Landscape Gene Information Chain Perspective:," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-25, September.
    13. Yipeng Ge & Yang Liu & Yueshan Ma & Zihan Qin & Qizheng Gan & Nan Li, 2024. "A Study on the Spatial, Structural, and Cultural Differentiation of Traditional Villages in Western Henan Using Geographic Detectors and ArcGIS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-28, November.
    14. Menghan Zhang & Yue Yu & Meizi Liu & Jingyi Liu, 2024. "Opportunities for China’s Agricultural Heritage Systems under the “Digital Nomadism” Trend—A Stakeholder-Weighted Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-21, March.
    15. Hai Xiao & Congli Xue & Jiahao Yu & Chuwei Yu & Guoqiang Peng, 2023. "Spatial Morphological Characteristics of Ethnic Villages in the Dadu River Basin, a Sino-Tibetan Area of Sichuan, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-16, August.
    16. Zhenghui Xu & Guohang Tian & Kailu Wei & Yuhong Ma & Shumei Zhang & Yumei Huang & Xiaojun Yao, 2022. "The Influence of Environment on the Distribution Characteristics of Historical Buildings in the Songshan Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-23, November.
    17. Bin Shi & Hongtao Liu & Lu Huang & Yang Zhang & Zhangyong Xiang, 2023. "Increasing Vulnerability of Village Heritage: Evidence from 123 Villages in Aba Prefecture, Sichuan, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-29, November.
    18. Chunlan Du & Di Pan & Qingying Liu, 2025. "The Construction of a Protection Network for Traditional Settlements Across Regions: A Case Study of the Chengdu–Chongqing Ancient Post Road Heritage Corridor in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-24, February.
    19. Xiaogang Feng & Moqing Hu & Sekhar Somenahalli & Xinyuan Bian & Meng Li & Zaihui Zhou & Fengxia Li & Yuan Wang, 2023. "A Study of Spatio-Temporal Differentiation Characteristics and Driving Factors of Shaanxi Province’s Traditional Heritage Villages," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, May.
    20. Qinghai Zhang & Jiabei Wang, 2023. "Spatial Differentiation and Driving Factors of Traditional Villages in Jiangsu Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-15, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1666-:d:1593116. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.