Spatial distribution characteristics, influencing factors of Chinese historical and cultural spatial elements from the perspective of urban-rural coordination

Against the backdrop of urban-rural coordinated development, the spatial differentiation mechanism of multi-type historical and cultural heritage elements is key to optimizing protection systems. This study transcends single-type heritage analysis, for the first time integrating element spatial density as the core dependent variable. Kernel density analysis identifies three distribution patterns. Gradient attenuation: Continuous southeast-to-northwest attenuation along the "Hu Huanyong Line", with the Taihang, Xuefeng, and Wuyi Mountains as key heritage corridor nodes. Type differentiation: Intangible heritage shows policy-driven dual-core agglomeration in "Beijing-Yangtze River Delta"; architectural units form clumpy high-density zones in the Yellow River's middle and lower reaches; rural-town settlements cluster at medium-low density in Guizhou-Hunan-Guangxi mountains. Urban-rural gradient attenuation: Density in the 50~100 km zone from urban centers drops 37.2% vs. urban cores (0~50 km), indicating urbanization's squeezing effect. Using prefecture-level density data and a geographical detector-MGWR coupling model, the study finds: administrative and economic elements are the dominant contradiction; terrain relief protects heritage by curbing constructive damage; road density has a significantly positive effect in the north but weakly negative in the south; county/district number empowers protection in underdeveloped areas but inhibits it in developed areas due to land competition. Based on spatial attenuation patterns, a three-level strategy is proposed: “mountain heritage protection zones-urban to rural transition activation zones-urban cultural resilience enhancement zones”.