# Spatial-temporal evolution of human-shaped landscapes in guilin (7th–21st century) for sustainable urban heritage planning

## TL;DR

This study explores how Guilin's landscape evolved over centuries, showing how natural and cultural elements shaped its urban structure and can guide sustainable planning.

## Contribution

The study introduces a long-term spatial-temporal analysis of human-shaped landscapes using an anchoring-layering framework.

## Key findings

- Anchor density increased from 77 in the Tang dynasty to 453 in contemporary times.
- Guilin's landscape shifted from a single-core to a multi-core, stratified structure over time.
- Historical landscape patterns continue to influence modern tourism functions.

## Abstract

Historic cities often struggle to balance heritage preservation with ongoing urban development, especially where cultural traditions and distinctive natural settings have interacted over long periods. This study examined the long-term evolution of Guilin’s landscape from the 7th to the 21st century using an anchoring-layering framework supported by historical maps, archival texts, kernel density analysis, and spatial syntax. Across six major periods, the analysis identified 453 anchor points. It demonstrated that the anchor density rose from 77 during the Tang dynasty to 453 in contemporary times. Spatial integration results indicated a transition from a single-core landscape to a multi-core, stratified structure shaped by both natural and cultural anchors. Three developmental stages were identified: early formation, expansion and intensification, and post-1949 restructuring. These findings demonstrate how long-lived natural and cultural features guide urban transformation and offer evidence to support planning strategies that integrate historical landscape logic into sustainable urban governance.

•Long-term landscape evolution in Guilin was shaped by natural and cultural anchors•Anchor density increased from a single core to a multi-core urban structure over time•Spatial connectivity strengthened around key anchors across historical periods•Historical landscape structure continues to influence modern tourism functions

Long-term landscape evolution in Guilin was shaped by natural and cultural anchors

Anchor density increased from a single core to a multi-core urban structure over time

Spatial connectivity strengthened around key anchors across historical periods

Historical landscape structure continues to influence modern tourism functions

History; Human Geography; Interdisciplinary application studies