Abstract: This study investigated the traditional villages in Hubei Province from 2012 to 2023, utilizing spatial statistical methods including the nearest neighbor index and kernel density analysis, combined with factor detection and interaction analysis of a geodetector, to explore the spatial distribution characteristics and driving factors from four dimensions: spatial pattern, natural elements, economic foundation, and historical culture. The results showed that the traditional villages in Hubei Province exhibited a "three primary and one secondary" spatial pattern, with the core areas located in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in southwestern Hubei, Huanggang-Xiaogan in northeastern Hubei, and Huangshi-Xianning in southeastern Hubei, while Yichang-Xiangyang in western Hubei was added as a sub-core area in the sixth batch. Low altitude, gentle slopes, and proximity to rivers were identified as the main natural factors influencing the distribution characteristics of traditional villages. Over 80% of the traditional villages were located within 20 km (approximately 30 minutes' drive) of expressways, and over 80% were within 64 km (approximately 90 minutes' drive) of passenger railway stations. Most traditional villages were situated in areas with medium population density and had economic levels below the provincial average. The distribution characteristics of traditional villages showed a mismatch with the distribution of provincial-level and above intangible cultural heritage items and their representative bearers, but aligned well with the distribution of provincial-level and above cultural relics protection units. The spatial distribution characteristics of traditional villages resulted from the long-term combined effects of natural, social, economic, and historical-cultural factors, with historical-cultural and economic factors generally playing stronger roles.

Key words: spatial statistical methods, traditional villages, distribution characteristics, driving factors, Hubei Province